November 10, 2023
The Harper East Tower elevator will be out-of-service effective end of the day, Friday, Nov. 10. In its current condition, the reliability of the elevator is not consistent and it poses a safety concern when it is used, and entrapments are likely.
There is a capital project approved and scheduled for the modernization of the elevator. The project will occur in 2024. Until the project is complete the elevator will remain out of service.
The extent of Harper Memorial Library East Elevator
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The East elevator is a traction-type elevator that was previously installed in 2006. The typical useful service life of the hoist drive motor, machine, essential components & mechanisms, and controller is 20 years.
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Currently, there is a lack of proper machine room cooling and enclosure (keeping doors shut to ward off dust and debris and maintaining proper ambient temperature may be straining controller components thereby significantly reducing the service life.
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The project scope for the modernization of the East elevator will replace all of the major operational and mechanical items. The scope also includes replacing the elevator cab (interior finishes), providing proper machine room cooling, updating fire service locks for BOTH East and west elevators, and installing a lobby fire command panel for both East and West elevators.
The campus community and visitors can expect to following while the elevator is out of service:
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The scheduled elevator modernization will occur in Spring/Summer 2024
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The Harper East Tower stairwell will be unlocked from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The doors will remain locked over the weekend.
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The door between SSRB-5th floor and Harper will remain unlocked from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The door will remain locked over the weekend.
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Signage will be posted at the elevator indicating the elevator is unavailable; please see the attached signage.
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Project updates will be provided, as needed, regarding the start of work and progress made throughout the modernization process.
For questions regarding the status of the elevator modernization project, please contact John Choi, project manager, at jchoi21@uchicago.edu.