Quality Wins Project of the Year

of which would have needed to have been shut down, de- molished and rebuilt to accommodate the truss removal and replacement process. In addition, the size of the exist- ing escalator wellways may have required increases in some locations, which would also have added structural modification costs. Another concern of the customer’s was that of the level of disruption to business activities should a complete re- placement occur. It was critical for the facility to remain in complete operation. A replacement would have created sig- nificant traffic-flow problems, unacceptable noise levels and construction debris, as well as consumed a large amount of floor space, which would have been needed to provide pro- tective barricades and hoisting needs. After reviewing the site, KONE outlined the advantages of its EcoMod™ solution and the installation process. The so- lution met the needs and was approved for the project. The modules and equipment were brought through the existing doors without causing any damage in the building’s curtain wall. All 12 escalators were modernized in three phases and simplified the building’s traffic flow, because it enabled side- by-side units to be modernized at separate times. Businesses located under the escalators continued to operate through- out the installation, and all existing cladding and structural conditions remained intact, leaving minimal debris. c

Credits Owner: Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority Management company: SMG Elevator consultant: National Elevator Consultants, Inc. Installer: KONE (Detroit project team)

Escalator trusses

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