ASME takes cue from Texas children's hospital when servicing those in need

DALLAS — Last month, ASME extended a helping hand to a children's hospital here that wanted to organize an elevator safety course for its technical staff. In setting up the training course, ASME employed a method frequently used by the hospital to treat its patients.

ASME's service to the hospital was provided free of charge.

Since it was founded in 1921, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children has cared for approximately 130,000 young people. Currently, the hospital says, it provides ongoing treatment for more than 13,000 children annually at no charge.

A patient at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas.

The hospital, which has 15 elevators, is sustained by private donations from individuals and organizations. Its physicians and medical researchers are experts in orthopedic disabilities, neurological disorders and learning differences.

"When Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children approached us about the elevator training course and outlined the institution's service in the community and commitment to the health needs of children, we were motivated to help," said Chor W. Tan, managing director of education at ASME. "Our complimentary training program represents a small largesse when viewed in the context of the hospital's eight decades of generosity and outreach."

The ASME course, "Emergency Evacuation of Passengers from Elevators," was given last month to 20 building engineers, technicians and maintenance personnel at the hospital. The charge for the course would have been $8,000.

R. Dennis Chandler of Continental Hoisting Consultants in Corydon, Ind., who is an ASME consultant, also waived his portion of the teaching fee.

The ASME course, which Chandler teaches throughout the United States, is based on the Society's A17 code. That code covers several prescribed human rescue procedures in events that cause elevators to malfunction or when they become stalled between floors during electric power outages.

Greg Johnson, assistant director of engineering at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, said, "We are grateful to ASME and to Mr. Chandler for providing this important program for our staff."

For more information about ASME short courses, visit www.asme.org/education/shortco.

 

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