NAEC 2014 Expo

EHC GLOBAL is pleased to offer Complimentary Expo passes to contractors attending the annual NAEC Convention in September.   For details please download the brochure below and complete the registration form.

We look forward to seeing you in San Antonio!

EHC se enorgullece en ofrecer Pases Complementarios para la Expo a los Contratistas que deseen atender la Convenciόn NAEC en septiembre.  Para detalles por favor descargue la informaciόn anexa y llene la forma de registro.

Esperamos verlos en San Antonio!

Download:
2014 NAEC Brochure & Registration Form

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SIGNAGE ON ESCALATOR & MOVING WALK HANDRAILS

October 15th, 2013

An open letter to all Authorities Having Jurisdiction, Maintenance Contractors, Consultants, and Equipment Owners in the United States and Canada:

The topic of signage on escalator & moving walk handrails has been one of considerable discussion over the past several years.

ASME A17.1-2010/CSA B.44-10, section 6.1.6.9.2, specifies that no “additional signage” shall be permitted within the “safety-zone” of the escalator.  Similar language can be found in 6.2.6.8.2 pertaining to moving walks.  The same paragraph goes on to define the Safety Zone as an area that extends 118” (3m) horizontally outward from the newel and cautions that additional signage should not impede traffic flow.  ASME A17.3 – 2011 only addresses mandatory Caution Signs and contains no language regarding Additional Signage.

Various interpretations of the “additional signage” wording have in the past lead to acceptance of handrail signage in some jurisdictions and refusal in others.

The purpose of this communication is to provide an update on code revisions, address perceived safety concerns, and open a channel for feedback and additional requests for information.

Late 2011; the A17 Escalator and Moving Walk Committee unanimously approved revisions to sections 6.1.6.9.2 and 6.2.6.8.2 and the creation of 6.1.6.9.3 and 6.2.6.8.3.   These changes specifically permit handrail signs or graphics on escalators and moving walks providing that they do not distract, impede passenger flow, or impair the operation of safety devices.  At their May 9 2012 meeting, the A17 Standards Committee approved these revisions for publication in A7.1 – 2013.

The benefits of simple motion indicators on handrails have been widely known for decades; they provide better visual cues of speed and direction of travel for escalator passengers, especially for children and the elderly.  With today’s evolved print technology it is now possible to provide handrail motion indicators in full-color and in high-resolution; resulting in opportunities to convey safety, directional, or other information to the riding public in a tactile and interactive way.

In a world where we are bombarded with distractions handrail signs and graphics direct passenger focus to the escalator; improving the frequency of handrail holding and of natural steps both on & off the escalator.

Pilot installations on four escalators in the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority demonstrated how handrail signage can be used to positively reinforce the mandatory Caution Signage required in 6.1.6.9.1/ 6.2.6.8.1. and to further mitigate accident risks.

There are presently two types of handrail signs and graphics; one designed to be changed regularly on-site, the other a permanent addition to the handrail.   Both have undergone rigorous testing in aggressive laboratory environments and with extensive world-wide field installations.

Temporary installations are accomplished with the addition of a durable composite thermoplastic film; engineered specifically for field-application to escalator and moving walk handrails.   Stringent procedures and quality guidelines ensure that handrails must pass inspection prior to application and daily unit start-up and shut-down procedures are supplemented with additional inspection requirements.

Further information is available to all upon request and feedback based on your experiences with handrail signs and graphics is most welcome.

The cooperation of all Authorities Having Jurisdiction in granting any required variances until such time as A17.1 -2013 has been adopted is a step forward in improving Passenger Safety on Escalator and Moving Walks and is sincerely appreciated.

EHC GLOBAL Handrail Signage

For further information; please contact:

Patrick R. Bothwell  |  Director of Sales  |  EHC GLOBAL
Telephone: 1-905-447-6709
E-mail:  patrick.bothwell@drakaehc.com

US Patent # 8206528 – Methods of Applying a Film with Barrier Layer

EHC has been granted Patent #8206528 for applying a film with a barrier layer to rubber escalator handrails. This innovative technology increases the durability of rubber ADRail handrails and allows these handrails to maintain their appearance over longer periods of time.

Application Date: November 7, 2008 and granted on June 26, 2012.

 

EHC Hosts International Innovation Summit

On June 21st, EHC headquarters in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada hosted International Marketing Consultants from the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation. The visit was part of an Innovation Summit put on by the City of Oshawa. The visiting marketing consultants came from across the globe, including Beijing, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Munich, New Delhi, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

The tour showcased EHC’s industry-leading innovation and manufacturing expertise. The consultants were given a firsthand view of the stark contrast between the manufacturing methods of a conventional rubber type escalator handrail and EHC’s innovative thermoplastic urethane handrail – NT. In particular, the consultants were interested in all the eco-friendly aspects of NT and the ability to apply custom messages to the handrail. Both of these features are only possible with NT handrails – not rubber handrails – since NT can be recycled and manufactured into any custom colour.

As quoted by Jeno Eppel, President of EHC Global: “NT handrails are truly an innovation in the escalator industry. For decades they have been made from black rubber – like car tires. Imagine if one day you could obtain pink thermoplastic tires for your car. EHC has made it possible for building owners to specify pink handrails for their escalators.” EHC recently supplied 13,000m of custom pink handrails for the Chongqing Subway.

EHC GLOBAL Partners With LIFT MATERIAL To Bring NT Handrails To Australia & New Zealand

Patrick Bothwell – Director of Sales at EHC Global, is pleased to welcome our newest distributor and handrail splicing partner, Lift Material Australia (LMA). Strategically located in Sydney, LMA will stock and offer splicing services for EHC’s patented NT series of handrail products. The combination of locally available stock and the ability to supply both endless and factory-spliced handrails is expected to go a long way to improving our service offering to customers in Australia and New Zealand. Produced from high-grade Thermoplastic Urethane, NT handrails are the world’s most environmentally friendly handrail option. “That the NT handrails can be spliced without the use of solvents was a big factor in our decision to partner with EHC”, says Tony Pegg –Managing Director of LMA. NT handrails will be supplied from LMA’s Sydney warehouse commencing April 1st, 2012. “This latest partnership sees EHC represented in yet another major global market and is of great strategic importance to us”, says Jeno Eppel, President of EHC Global.

The World’s Only Recyclable Escalator Handrail

Jeno Eppel – President of EHC Global, is pleased to announce that in service of one of its mission’s objectives of “making the world a better place”, the firm now has the ability to recycle over 90% of the material from its escalator handrails. Driven by its ongoing efforts with the ISO14001 environmental management system and using custom designed equipment, high-grade thermoplastic urethane is successfully being recovered and reprocessed into premium product.

Recycling of previously discarded process scrap effectively reduces energy and material consumption throughout our entire global supply chain. EHC’s automated process takes place within a controlled environment designed to prevent contamination. This contributes to a recognized decrease in the amount of pollutants released from our facility.

We encourage our customers to think green with us, and make use of the world’s only truly recyclable handrail.