Fastrack Modular Elevators presented by MEM

Fastrack Modular Elevators are completely preinstalled elevators in their own pre-constructed hoistways: including the cab, the hydraulics, the electrical, the pit equipment, all the doors, the hoistway and machineroom equipment.  Site work to turnover is measured in hours, not weeks or months.  Time on the job is minimized – profit is maximized.  What you get is an 'old school', no compromise commercial elevator – built to meet/exceed Seismic Zone 4 standards – without the wait.

What's typical Contractor cost?
A typical complete turnkey Fastrack unit is in the budget range of $75,000+.  This includes the structural hoistway containing a finished cab and machine room equipment. An optional Modular Equipment Room (MER) is also available.

What are the benefits of this product verses a standard Hydro Application?   
Complete assembled package (except final hook up of piping machine room equipment and plugging in of wiring harnesses) provides the equivalent of a conventional holed or holeless dual jack (customer's choice) elevator without the on-site time… and without the need to bring other trades on site to construct a hoistway.   Your scope of work increases, ie: pit ladders are provided (pre-installed), all pit wiring is complete (pre-installed), with ZERO extra work for the elevator contractor.
 
The hoistway is a pre-engineered structure.  The exterior skin is rated for attachment of finish materials to 8 lbs per square foot so stucco, brick veneer or other finishes can be applied to match or compliment an existing building exterior.  Fastrack hoistways have been made into clock towers and used as architectural elements on commercial/retail buildings.

What are typical Fastrack applications?
Some examples where Fastrack can be integrated perfectly include:
Elevator to be located outside of a building (existing or new construction)
Elevator is needed for access to a pedestrian bridge
Elevator applied to the outside of a parking structure
Elevator on the outside of a motel
Elevator in the lobby of a tilt up structure

How does Fastrack attach to my building?
The Fastrack hoistway is self-supporting, engineered to withstand wind loads and seismic events meeting all code requirements.  In a retrofit application, the pit is located to place the hoistway adjacent to existing exterior walkways or against the existing building wall.  

While the Fastrack unit does not rely on the existing building for any structural support, it can be attached, which eliminates seismic separation which can otherwise be challenging to finish. In this case, the elevator becomes fully integrated into the construction of the building.

A freestanding installation is best for older buildings where structural information isn't available and the owner either won't or can't attach the elevator to the existing structure.
Freestanding installation presents a "gap" between the two structures that must be addressed.
What type of support is available after the installation?
All elevator components are popular brands sourced from reputable, long time suppliers to the elevator industry.  Individual components are backed by their respective factory warranties.  The hoistway is fabricated by Modular Elevator Manufacturing of Southern California.  A one year manufacturer's limited warranty is provided.
 
Full factory telephone technical support is provided to and through for the installation process, as well as for any post-installation issues.  On-site support is available on an individualized basis.

 
What equipment is required to install this system?
Where equipment access is unrestricted, a 70 ton crane is typically arranged by the installing contractor to remove the Fastrack unit (and optional modular machine room) from the trailer on which it arrives, place it on bare ground on sleepers, then re-rig and lift into final position into the contractor-provided pit.  Unusually long horizontal reach (say, over the top of existing buildings) would require a crane with higher capacity.  Modular Elevator Manufacturing will consult with the installing contractor in these circumstances.

What about the pit?
Typically a pre-engineered pit design is provided for consideration, and ease of design. The pit foundation must be excavated, formed and poured to manufacturer and engineering specifications.  A template is provided to ensure precise positioning of anchors in the concrete foundation when poured.  Leveling nuts  are pre-leveled prior to the hoistway "set".  Final minor adjustment to plumb the hoistway can be made during the "set" process.  Once the hoistway is in place, the small space between the pit floor and hoistway structure base plates are grouted solid. 

How does the Elevator Contractor's profit opportunity compare?
An elevator contractor might sell a jobsite-assembled elevator in the $45-65,000 range, with hoistway provided by others. Profit is limited by competitive forces and the total contract value.

The Fastrack alternative allows the elevator Contractor to sell a larger ticket item in a less competitive market environment, providing enhanced profit opportunity.

The Fastrack elevator requires a relatively small labor investment vs a conventional jobsite-assembled elevator, providing the elevator Contractor twin benefits: higher job margins and much smaller labor investment.

As elevator Contractors are increasingly limited by the availability of skilled elevator mechanics, growth in alternative revenue sources like Fastrack can increase revenues and profits, allow the Contractor to take on more work (due to the reallocation of resources), and ultimately make more money.