Has anyone had any experience with this air pressure activated Bode braking system. Is it an ample replacement for the Hollister Whitney rope gripper? Some feel it does not meet the code requirements because it needs air pressure to engage, and therefore will not fail safe. If air pressure is lost, the unit is supposed to shut the car down. Any comments (especially from Inspectors) would be greatly appreciated. Mark

-- Mark (MarkVator@comcast.net), December 24, 2004

Answers

Hi There, I have seen picture of the Bode brake and the HW was designed after HW going over to Europe and looking at it also. It was to big and expensive so they designed there own. Whitier also has a rope brake. Yes that compressor in the mr is a bad idea, some companies have used that with the main brake because it saves money on brake design. who needs to maintain another piece of equipment. There is also the sheave Jamer device but I am not sure if it is as good as the rope brake. For me there is too much government,codes and regulations going on , remember the goverment is not broke untill you are. Jim

-- Jim (elevator555@hotmail.com), December 25, 2004.

In Holland it is accepted as a means to solve uncontrolled upward movement. If the pressure becomes to low, the brake will close. It closes indeed on pressure, but that does not mean that it is not fail safe (unlese you beleave that the airtank will explode and the pressure will be lost in a split second). If you have a safety gear for uncontrolled upward movement, the cable of the safety governer could also break just when you need it. Nothing is 100% fail safe, it is almost fail safe (99,99%).

-- NCC1502 (ncc1502@yahoo.co.uk), December 25, 2004.

Thanx for your replies. I think the real concern is with the rubber hose breaking as opposed to the compressor airtank exploding. Just trying to find out if this Bode Brake meets code in the U.S. Every time I ask that question, all I get is tap dancing. Does anyone have one in service and inspected in the U.S.??? Thanx, Mark

-- Mark (MarkVator@comcast.net), December 30, 2004.

The brake closes automaticaly when the pressure drops below a certain limit, so a leak in a hose should be no problem. Total rupture in a split second does usualy not happen.

-- NCC1502 (ncc1502@yahoo.co.uk), January 01, 2005.

I was given a demo of the Bode brake in Augsburg last year. I wasn't impressed. I then found a company called Atwell who have a simple compact unit. I am not sure if it is certified for the states. Its worth a look. www.atwellinternational.com I have a unit working for the last 16 months, troublefree and it was easy to fit!

-- John Horgan (jhorgan@mwls.ie), January 05, 2005.

Go to BodeAmerica.com for all of your answers to Bode Brake questions

-- steve` (scottrill@icelevator.com), January 21, 2005.