Veteran using a Cibes Symmetry elevator installed by Elevator Service Company for accessible living in Connecticut

Veterans Day: Elevator Service Co. & Cibes Symmetry

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Honoring Veterans: Promoting Independence Across New England

This Veterans Day, we take a moment to honor the heroes who have served our country with courage and dedication. At Elevator Service Co. (ESCO), serving Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, we believe that one of the most meaningful ways to show our gratitude is by helping veterans live safely and independently at home. 
 
As part of the Cibes Symmetry family, we share a commitment to delivering thoughtful accessibility solutions that blend reliability, comfort, and design — empowering those who’ve served to enjoy full access to their homes and communities. 

The Challenge: Accessibility and Mobility After Service

For many veterans, returning home brings new challenges in mobility and accessibility. Everyday obstacles like stairs or raised entryways can limit comfort, safety, and confidence. Adapting a home or property with the right accessibility features can make a tremendous difference — restoring freedom, dignity, and peace of mind. 
 
At Elevator Service Company, we offer Cibes Symmetry’s complete line of accessibility products, including Vertical Platform Lifts and modern residential elevators designed for convenience and quality. 

Vertical Platform Lifts: Safe, Reliable Access Indoors or Out 

A Vertical Platform Lift (VPL) by Cibes Symmetry provides smooth, dependable movement for wheelchair users and anyone with limited mobility — both inside and outside the home. For veterans throughout New England, these lifts are a practical way to eliminate barriers and maintain independence. 

Cibes Symmetry Vertical Platform Lift installed by Elevator Service Company providing access for veterans in New England homes

A Cibes Symmetry Vertical Platform Lift can: 
– Provide safe access to porches, decks, or garages 
– Reduce strain and fall risk when using stairs 
– Offer full independence without extensive renovations 
– Operate dependably through every season 
 
Each lift is engineered with care, combining simplicity and strength — values that align with the dedication of the veterans we serve. 

Cibes Symmetry Elevators: Compact, Quiet, and Elegant 

When space is limited but accessibility is essential, the Cibes Symmetry Ascenda elevator offers a seamless solution. This through-floor residential elevator is compact, quiet, and energy-efficient — ideal for integrating into existing homes without extensive construction. 
 
Benefits for veterans include: 
– Quick installation and minimal renovation requirements 
– Energy-efficient and quiet operation 
– Custom design options to complement home interiors 
– Reliable performance that enhances comfort and safety 
 
With Cibes Symmetry elevators, veterans can remain in the homes they love without compromise. 

Cibes Symmetry Ascenda residential elevator offering compact, stylish accessibility for veterans across Connecticut and surrounding states

A Message of Gratitude and Support 

At Elevator Service Co., we’re honored to support veterans and their families across Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. As part of the Cibes Symmetry family, we share a mission of making accessibility simple, dignified, and dependable. 
 
Every elevator or platform lift we install represents more than just mobility — it’s a symbol of freedom, comfort, and appreciation for those who have given so much. 
 
This Veterans Day, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have served. Your courage inspires our work every day. 

Contact Elevator Service Co. to learn more about Cibes Symmetry’s residential elevators and platform lifts — and discover how we can help make your home more accessible and comfortable. 

Elevator Service Company, Inc. Receives Approval for Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator in Massachusetts

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March 29, 2018 Cambridge, MA— As of 12:00 pm March 29, 2018, in Cambridge, MA, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has fully approved the use of the PVE 30, 37, and 52 models for residential use.
The PVE is an eco-friendly elevator, powered by air. The elevator comes in three models, including a wheelchair-accessible model. PVE has been a manufacturer in the US since 2002 and is approved in 49 states.
“PVE is thrilled with the recent outcome of the first unit inspected and approved in Massachusetts. It has been a long journey to get to this point, but with the team efforts of PVE and Elevator Service Company, we have successfully accomplished out goal. We look forward to operating in Massachusetts without any restrictions moving forward”
-Stephan Gruber, PVE

After working closely with the Board of Elevator Regulations and the Office of Public Safety & Inspections-Division of Professional Licensure, Elevator Service Company was granted exclusive approval to install the first PVE. Elevator Service Company, Inc.’s President, Steven Roth remarked: “Upon the elevator’s successful installation, the PVE is now formally approved, and is available to consumers, by the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Regulators. We look forward to providing the best products and services our industry has to offer.”
Elevator Service Company, Inc. furnishes and installs Pneumatic Vacuum elevator in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, and Eastern New York.
For more information on the Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator, please visit www.ElevatorServiceCo.com or www.vacuumelevators.com

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senior living

The Aging in Place Quick Guide

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The Aging in Place Quick Guide

 

 

When you hear “Aging in Place” you might think home modifications, ramps, trouble negotiating stairs, grab rails, etc. Today, it has a whole new image. It can be defined as long-term livability in your home.

The Aging in Place market is 61% of home owners, and 30% of the total population in our country. According to a research study conducted by AARP, 87% of people over the age of 65 want to stay in their homes as well as 71% of people between the ages of 50-64. An increase in the number of seniors staying in their homes means an increase in the building and remodeling industry.

Another industry being directly affected by Aging in Place is the residential elevator business. The only way to stay in a multi-story home and access every floor is to install a lift of some kind. Home elevators increase the value to the home, fit inside a standard size closet, and are cost-effective.

“Many residential clients are looking for a home design that will last them throughout their senior years. Safe and easy access to all areas of the home is crucial when considering how people will use their home over time. Elevator access to all floors of a home is a must for any client who plans to age in place.”

-Phillip J. Summers, AIA, LEED AP

Universal Design and Aging in Place

 

Universal design provides solutions for those in a wheelchair without making it obvious that someone in the home is in a wheelchair. In universal design, accessibility is paramount-for everyone in the home and visiting. Universal design basics include wider doorways, lower cabinets and countertops, no-step entries, and home elevation (elevators and wheelchair lifts). Universal design does not include temporary modifications such as removable ramps and stair lifts.

 

senior living

 

DID YOU KNOW:

The preferred term among the aging market is “Thriving in Place”?

Aging in place is not limited to seniors? One can age in place at any age. Anyone in their “forever” home is considered aging in place.

Average price of assisted living in the state of CT is over $5500/month?

Some areas give aging in place tax credits?

residential elevator

Elevator Maintenance

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To schedule maintenance call 203-757-5000

Home Elevator Maintenance

Our examination, lubrication, and adjustment will cover everything from the control system to the full load test.

What happens during a elevator maintenance visit?

Once your maintenance is scheduled, a mechanic will come out to do routine maintenance to keep your elevator running smoothly and the repairs to a minimum.

While there, the mechanic will:

-Lubricate equipment for smooth and efficient performance
-Adjust elevator parts and components to maximize performance and safe operation
-Document all work performed on maintenance tasks and record logs provided with each controller
-Examine your elevator equipment for optimum operation.

Check the control panel: control, selector, dispatcher, relay panel, timers, resistors, transformers, and motor starter.

Electrical: Wiring, conduit, ducts, and traveling cables that run from the elevator equipment to the machine room mainline disconnect with and the hoistway outlets.

Hoistway and pit equipment: Landing and slowdown switches, limits, car & counterweight buffers, over speed governors, governor tension sheave assemblies, and car counterweight safeties.

Rails and Guides: Guide rails, guide shoe gibs and rollers. Guide rails will be properly lubricated, except where roller guides are used.

Hoist ropes: Lubricate hoist ropes

Door Equipment: Automatic door operators, hoistway car/door hangers, door contacts, door protective devices, door interlocks, door gibs, and auxiliary door closing devices.

Signals and Accessories: Car operating panels, hall push button stations, hall lanterns, emergency lighting, car & hall position indicators, lobby control panels, car operating panels, fireman’s service equipment, and all other signal and accessory facilities furnished and installed as an integral part of the elevator equipment.

Which elevator maintenance is right for my elevator?

The type of maintenance depends on the type of drive system your elevator has. In homes, most commonly seen hydraulic or in-line geared drive (IGD). Since they have different parts, they have different maintenance needs.

Hydraulic: Pump, motor packing, drive belts, strainers, and valves.

IGD: Worm gears, basic gears, thrusts, bearings, rotating elements, brake magnet coils, brushes, brake shoes, linings, pins deflector, secondary & other sheaves, bearings, and assemblies.

How often should I have maintenance performed on my elevator?

Elevators should be maintained biannually, at the very least. If your elevator gets weekly use, it should be under a quarterly maintenance plan. Monthly plans are suggested for commercial elevators or heavy use.

 

To get started on a maintenance plan or if you already have one and would like to schedule a maintenance visit, please call 203-757-5000.

Vegas Shooting

Prayers for Vegas

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Weighing heavily on our hearts is the recent event in Las Vegas. Our very own CJ Giampaolo, Sales Manager at Elevator Service Company, was attending the concert with his wife, Jessica, and her family. Sadly, we mourn the loss of CJ’s father-in-law, Kurt von Tillow, who was shot and killed. In a heroic act, CJ tried to protect Kurt after he was shot, as well as to protect other family members. In addition, both an aunt and cousin were hit by the gunfire and are recuperating . Please keep CJ and Jessica’s family in your thoughts at this time.

home elevator safety

Home Elevator Safety-Are Home Elevators Safe?

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Elevators in the home are highly beneficial as well as safe. Residential elevators provide ease of access to other floors in the home, provide a safer route for carrying things from floor to floor, and adds significant value to your house.

Are Home Elevators Safe?

Yes they are. Aside from the best quality and durability of our manufacturers’ products, they’re equipped with features that prevent injury and misuse. Home elevator regulations cover everything from the construction of the elevator shaftway, weight limit, speed, and travel distance.

Safety Features of a Residential Elevator

While each state has different rules and regulations, they all require safety mechanisms and codes to meet in order to pass inspection.

Door Interlocks

Many states including Connecticut require door interlocks at each landing to prevent any door accessing the elevator from being open if the cab is not at that particular landing.

Safety Sensors

There are two main types of safety sensors for home elevators: door sensors and pit sensors.

Door Sensor

Door sensors prevent the elevator doors from closing if an object is detected. They use infrared or LED lighting to create a curtain of sorts, illuminating the entry way to the elevator cab at the landing.

Pit Sensor

Elevator pit sensors detect anything that might be in the pit and if something is detected, the elevator will not operate.

Fire Alarm

Fire alarms are required for operation. They must be installed in the shaftway.

3″ Rule

The 3″ rule as it applies to home elevators refers to the space at the footing between the elevator and the landing. The rule says that the space cannot exceed 3″. This ensures that people and small pets do not fall through and trap them.

Elevator Phone

A landline must be active and connected to the cab phone inside the elevator.

Emergency Backup

An uninterruptible power supply is required for home elevators and is located inside the machine room. In the event of a power failure (power outage or shortage), the battery backup activates and lowers the cab to the first stop so you can exit safely.

 

Applicable Elevator Codes:

The Uniform Building Code (UBC) references the IBC (International Building Code) which references ASME A17.1.

Residential elevators are addressed in Part 5.3 of the ASME A17.1 code.

  • 5.3.1 Private Residence Electric Elevators
  • 5.3.2 Private Residence Hydraulic Elevators

This 2012 edition provides updated cross-references and additional guidelines to coordinate with A17.1-2007.  It also features new guidelines on machine room-less (MRL) configurations.

Local jurisdictions need to be reviewed for additional compliance items and local regulations.

Example : California has its own set of Safety orders for elevators.

  • Division of Occupational Safety and Health – Title 8 regulations
  • Division 1. Department of Industrial Relations
  • Chapter 4. Division of Industrial Safety
  • Subchapter 6. Elevator Safety Orders
  • Group 4
  • Article 41
HBRA GOLF

ESCO Wins 2017 Golf Classic

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July 24, 2017 Trumbull, CT– The HBRA of Fairfield County held the Annual Golf Tournament in Trumbull, CT. It was a rainy day at Tashua Knolls Golf Course, causing a 20 minute delay for the 18-hole tournament.

ESCO’s foursome which consisted of Steven Roth, Keith Domack, Amber Wilder, and CJ Giamapolo, took 1st place and CJ got an award for the longest drive! We had a great time networking and playing a good game of golf-but we had a blast winning!

In June, the HBRA of Central Connecticut held their Annual Golf Tournament, in which Amber took the award for the longest drive for a woman.

Can’t wait to go back next year!

Elevator Service CompanyElevator Service Company

 

 

commercial elevator

LULA Elevators: What are they?

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Although gaining popularity, the limited use, limited application (LU/LA) elevator is still unknown to many who might benefit from having one in their home or building. LULAs are ADA compliant and cost significantly less than a full commercial elevator.

 

Acceptable Uses for a LULA Elevator

There are several applications that can contain a LU/LA Elevator. The limited use part refers to building occupancy and rate load. Unlike a fully rated commercial capacity elevator, the LU/LA elevator’s rate load is 1400 lbs. The application part refers to the amount of rise the elevator is allowed to travel.

 

Can LULA Elevators be used in homes?

Yes they can! LULA elevators can be customized in different sizes, making them small enough to fit inside of a home.

 

Planning for a LULA Elevator

If you’re thinking about putting a LULA elevator in your project, here is a list of things you’ll need to know:

-13″ pit depth*

-106″ overhead*

-maximum rise 25 ft

-maintenance significantly lower than that of a commercial elevator

 

To get more information about LULA Elevators, please contact us today by phone at 203-757-5000 or email.

 

 

*differs by manufacturer

Residential Elevators in CT/RI Flood Zones

Elevators in Flood Zones

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According the NAHB market survey, 67% of homeowners say they would like to have a home elevator, or view it as a necessity. Some areas in the country, including Connecticut’s shoreline, are located inside flood zones. For homeowners living within the flood zones that would like an elevator have many options.

FEMA regulations for home elevators

If you are a homeowner in a flood zone and would like to have a conventional residential elevator, you’re in luck. FEMA allows residential elevators in flood plains.

International Building Code requirements for home elevators

The codes & standards that apply to wheelchair lifts are:

ADA regulations
ADAAG regulations
ICC/ANSI A117.1 – Accessible & Usable Building & Facility
ASME A17.1 – Elevator and Escalator safety code for safety lock
ASME A18.1 – Safety standards for platform lifts and stairway chairs lifts
NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code

(Verify what year and version of the code your state or local jurisdiction has adopted)

UL or ETL are required and acceptable standards for testing certifications

Residential elevators are addressed in Part 5.3 of the ASME A17.1 code.
5.3.1 Private Residence Electric Elevators
5.3.2 Private Residence Hydraulic Elevators

Elevator Options for flood zones

Inline Geared Drive Elevator System

Also known as the “machine room-less” (MRL) elevator, the inline geared drive system is set up in a way that the power supply is mounted to the top of the rail brackets. Having this system eliminates the need for a machine room*

Hydraulic Elevator

A hydraulic elevator system is acceptable in a flood zone so long as the machine room is located on the 2nd floor of the dwelling.

Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator

Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators (PVE) are ideal for flood zones. The PVE does not require a pit, nor does it have a machine room. The Elevator is powered entirely by air, using suction and gravity to operate.

*Inline geared drive elevator system also available in Machine Room option

Steven Roth

Steven Roth of ESCO Associate of the Year Award Recipient

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Steven Roth of ESCO Associate of the Year Award Recipient

May 15, 2017, Fairfield County, CT—Elevator Service Company, Inc. President and CEO, Steven Roth, has been awarded the Associate of the Year Award presented by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Fairfield County.

“This prestigious award is a testament to Steven Roth’s commitment to our association’s standard of excellence,” states Gina Calabro, Chief Executive Officer of the HBRA of Fairfield County.  “His involvement has had a significant impact on our organization as we continue to commit to the highest standards in building our communities.”

Roth has also been recognized in other organizations, a new member of the State Board for the HBRA, and the company has been the recipient for various other awards in the elevator and building industry.

The President also announced the incorporation of his new company, Design Build Services, Inc. The new company will provide turn-key solutions for home modifications, to the necessary construction for an elevator.

The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Fairfield County will host the annual Meeting & Awards on June 9, 2017, where Roth will be presented with Associate of the Year.

Elevator Service Company, Inc. is an AIA continuing education provider.