1 Scope
NOTE This standard covers the design, furnishing, installation, testing, and acceptance of factory-engineered passenger and freight elevators and their controllers, hoistway equipment, entrances, cabs, and signal fixtures. (1.1)
NOTE An elevator is a power-driven car that runs in guide rails between fixed landings to move passengers or freight vertically; it is driven either by a traction machine through suspension means and a counterweight, or by a hydraulic jack acting directly or indirectly on the car. (1.2)
NOTE The scope includes the selection of drive type and machine arrangement to suit the building's rise and traffic, the rated load and speed, the controller and dispatching logic, the door operator and entrances, the cab enclosure and finishes, the hall and car fixtures, the accessibility provisions, the seismic restraint, the firefighters' emergency operation and its interface with the fire alarm system, and the emergency and standby power behavior. (1.3)
NOTE This standard establishes the performance, equipment, code-compliance, and installation requirements for the elevators shown on the elevator drawings and described in the elevator schedule. (1.4)
NOTE The single most consequential decision in this standard is matching the drive type and machine arrangement to the building's rise, rated load, speed, and traffic demand. (1.5)
NOTE A holed or holeless hydraulic elevator is the economical choice for a low-rise building of roughly two to five stops at modest speed, but it cannot deliver the speed, ride quality, or energy efficiency a mid- or high-rise building needs; a machine-room-less or gearless traction elevator serves the taller, busier building but carries a higher first cost and tighter hoistway tolerances. (1.6)
NOTE The narrative below ties each drive type and arrangement to the rise, speed, and traffic in which it is the appropriate choice, so the specifier selects the elevator from the building's actual service demand rather than from first cost alone. (1.7)
NOTE Elevator equipment is governed primarily by ASME A17.1/CSA B44, which is adopted by reference into the building code in nearly every US jurisdiction; the requirements of this standard supplement that code and never relax it. (1.8)
NOTE The hoistway, pit, overhead, machine room, and machinery space are building work performed by other trades, and their dimensions, structural support, and environmental conditioning shall be coordinated with the elevator equipment before those elements are constructed. (1.9)
1.12This work shall be coordinated with Fire Alarm Systems for the smoke detector and heat detector initiating devices that command Phase I emergency recall and for any machine room or hoistway shunt trip. 1.13This work shall be coordinated with Emergency And Standby Power for the standby power source, the automatic transfer of the elevators, and the sequenced recovery of cars on standby power. 1.14This work shall be coordinated with Conductors And Cables for the feeders, branch circuits, and disconnecting means serving each elevator. 1.15This work shall be coordinated with Grounding And Bonding for the equipment grounding and bonding of the controller, machine, rails, and car. 2 Referenced Standards
NOTE The design, equipment, electrical components, accessibility, and inspection of elevators are governed by the standards listed in the table below. (2.1)
| Standard |
Title |
| ASME A17.1-2022 / CSA B44:22 |
Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators |
| ASME A17.2 |
Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks |
| ASME A17.5 / CSA B44.1 |
Elevator and Escalator Electrical Equipment |
| ASME A17.6 |
Standard for Elevator Suspension, Compensation, and Governor Systems |
| ASME A17.7 / CSA B44.7 |
Performance-Based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators |
| 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design |
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Standards (Section 407, Elevators) |
| ICC A117.1-2017 |
Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities |
| NFPA 70 (NEC) |
National Electrical Code (Article 620, Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators, Moving Walks, and Article 700 / 701 power) |
| NFPA 72 |
National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (elevator recall and shutdown interface) |
| NFPA 13 |
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (hoistway and machine room sprinkler coordination) |
| NFPA 110 |
Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems |
| IBC |
International Building Code (Chapter 30, Elevators and Conveying Systems) |
| ASCE/SEI 7 |
Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (seismic component anchorage) |
| ISO 18738-1 |
Measurement of Ride Quality (vibration and acceleration in passenger elevators) |
2.2Equipment, materials, and installation shall comply with the latest edition of each referenced standard adopted by the authority having jurisdiction.
2.3Where the adopted building code or the contract documents impose a more stringent requirement than a referenced standard, the more stringent requirement shall govern.
2.4The Contractor shall resolve conflicts among the referenced standards in writing with the Architect and the authority having jurisdiction before fabrication and installation begin.
3 Submittals
3.1 Action Submittals
NOTE Action submittals are reviewed and returned before fabrication and before the related hoistway and structural work is built, because the elevator equipment dictates hoistway, pit, overhead, and structural dimensions. (3.1.1)
NOTE They establish the equipment, its performance, its layout against the building, and its compliance path. (3.1.2)
3.1.3The Contractor shall submit the following action submittals for review and return before fabrication:
- Product data for the machine, controller, door operator, entrances, cab, fixtures, and safety devices, identifying drive type, rated load, rated speed, and the listing of each electrical component to ASME A17.5/CSA B44.1
- Elevator layout (hoistway) drawings showing the car, counterweight or cylinder, rails, buffers, and overtravel in plan and section, with the required pit depth, overhead clearance, hoistway plan dimensions, and running clearances dimensioned against the building
- Structural reaction drawings giving guide-rail bracket reactions, machine and deflector-sheave beam loads, buffer reactions, and the hydraulic cylinder bearing reaction, for coordination with the structural engineer
- Power confirmation data giving the feeder size, starting and running current, demand, regenerated power (traction), and heat rejection to the machine room or machinery space
- Seismic anchorage calculations and details prepared in accordance with ASME A17.1 and ASCE/SEI 7 where the seismic design category requires them, signed and sealed
- Cab enclosure, ceiling, lighting, flooring, and finish samples, with handrail and protective-pad details
- Hall and car signal fixture data and engraving schedule, including the firefighters' emergency operation fixtures and instructions
- Firefighters' emergency operation sequence and the fire alarm recall interface point list, coordinated with the fire alarm system
- Emergency and standby power operation sequence, including the car selection and recovery sequence on standby power
- Sample warranty and the proposed maintenance scope for the warranty period
☐ Product data (machine, controller, door operator, entrances, cab, fixtures)
☑ Elevator layout (hoistway) drawings with pit, overhead, and clearances
☐ Structural reaction drawings (rail, machine, buffer, cylinder loads)
☐ Power confirmation (feeder, demand, regeneration, heat rejection)
☐ Seismic anchorage calculations and details (where required)
☐ Cab enclosure, ceiling, lighting, flooring, and finish samples
☐ Signal fixture data and engraving schedule
☐ Firefighters' emergency operation sequence and recall interface point list
☐ Emergency / standby power operation sequence
☐ Sample warranty and maintenance scope
3.1.4Elevator layout drawings shall not be released for fabrication, and dependent hoistway, pit, and structural work shall not proceed, until the layout submittal has been reviewed and returned without outstanding engineering questions.
3.2 Closeout Submittals
NOTE Closeout submittals are delivered at substantial completion and hand the Owner the documentation needed to operate, maintain, inspect, and service the elevators over their service life. (3.2.1)
3.2.2The Contractor shall provide the following closeout submittals at substantial completion:
- Operation and maintenance manuals, including adjustment data, lubrication schedule, and troubleshooting procedures
- As-built wiring diagrams and the straight-line (point-to-point) wiring diagram for each elevator, furnished in the machine room or controller space
- Maintenance Control Program (MCP) documentation required by ASME A17.1 for the equipment as installed
- Acceptance inspection and test records witnessed by the authority having jurisdiction, with the certificate of operation
- Final firefighters' emergency operation test record and the fire alarm interface verification record
- Counterweight filler weight and balance record, governor and safety set data, and buffer test data
- Keys, special tools, and the keyed-switch and fire-service key set, transmitted to the Owner
☐ Operation and maintenance manuals with adjustment data
☐ As-built and straight-line wiring diagrams (in machine room)
☐ Maintenance Control Program (MCP) documentation
☑ Acceptance inspection / test records and certificate of operation
☐ Firefighters' emergency operation and fire alarm interface test records
☐ Counterweight balance, governor / safety, and buffer test data
☐ Keys, special tools, and fire-service key set (to Owner)
3.2.3The Maintenance Control Program documentation required by ASME A17.1 shall be furnished to the Owner and kept on site, because the code requires it to be available for inspection and maintenance throughout the equipment's life.
3.2.4Fire-service keys and the keyed-switch key set shall be transmitted directly to the Owner's designated representative and shall not be left in the controller or with the car.
4 Quality Assurance
4.1 Manufacturer and Installer Qualifications
4.1.1The elevator equipment shall be the product of a manufacturer regularly engaged in the production of elevators of the drive type, rated load, and rated speed specified, with equipment of comparable type in service.
4.1.2The installer shall be a firm that is authorized by the equipment manufacturer to install and adjust the equipment and that maintains a service organization capable of responding to the project location.
4.1.3Mechanics and helpers performing the installation shall be qualified for elevator work as required by the authority having jurisdiction.
4.2 Regulatory Approvals
NOTE Elevator permits, the acceptance inspection, and the certificate of operation are issued by the authority having jurisdiction, and the work is not complete until that certificate is issued. (4.2.1)
4.2.2The Contractor shall obtain the elevator installation permit before installation begins.
4.2.3The Contractor shall arrange and pay for the acceptance inspection and witnessed acceptance tests by the authority having jurisdiction.
4.2.4The Contractor shall obtain the certificate of operation before the elevators are placed in service for the Owner's beneficial use.
4.3 Component Listing
NOTE Electrical protective devices, controllers, operating devices, and the wiring of the elevator shall be of components evaluated and listed to ASME A17.5/CSA B44.1 so that the assembled equipment satisfies the electrical safety basis the elevator code relies on. (4.3.1)
4.3.2Controllers, operating devices, and electrical protective devices shall be listed and labeled to ASME A17.5/CSA B44.1.
4.3.3The completed installation shall comply with NFPA 70 Article 620 for the wiring, disconnecting means, and clearances of the elevator electrical system.
5 Service and Traffic Conditions
NOTE An elevator is selected from the building's rise, its population, the demand profile of its busiest period, and the entering power and environmental conditions of the spaces it serves. (5.1)
NOTE Under-selecting capacity, speed, or quantity produces long waits and crowding that cannot be corrected after construction without replacing equipment; this section fixes the service basis before the equipment is selected. (5.2)
5.3 Building Rise and Stops
NOTE The number of stops, the floor-to-floor heights, and the total rise (travel) determine the achievable speed, the suspension and roping arrangement, and whether a hydraulic drive is even feasible. (5.3.1)
5.4 Traffic Analysis
NOTE For office, residential, and other population-driven buildings, a traffic analysis establishes whether the quantity, capacity, and speed meet a target interval and handling capacity during the peak five minutes; specifying an elevator without it risks a system that is undersized on the day it opens. (5.4.1)
5.4.2Where the building type and population warrant it, the Contractor shall submit an up-peak (or two-way, as applicable) traffic analysis demonstrating that the elevator group meets the project's target average interval and five-minute handling capacity.
● Required - population-driven building (office, residential, hotel, healthcare)
○ Not required - low-traffic building, quantity and size set by code and program
5.5 Environmental Conditions
NOTE Solid-state controllers and machine-room-less drive components are sensitive to temperature; an unconditioned machine room or hoistway shuts the elevator down on a hot day and shortens component life. (5.5.1)
NOTE The controller, machine, and drive components shall operate within the manufacturer's published ambient temperature and humidity range, and the building shall provide the conditioning needed to maintain it. (5.5.2)
5.5.3The machine room or machinery space ambient temperature shall be maintained within the equipment manufacturer's published operating range by mechanical conditioning provided under the building HVAC work.
5.5.4Dedicated cooling sized to remove the heat rejected by the machine, controller, and drive (as stated in the power confirmation submittal) shall be provided where the space cannot otherwise stay within the operating range.
5095
506070809095
Default: 90 °F
6 Drive Type and Machine Arrangement
NOTE The drive type and machine arrangement is the governing equipment decision; it sets the achievable speed and rise, the energy use, the ride quality, the hoistway and pit geometry, and whether a separate machine room is required. (6.1)
6.2 Hydraulic Drive
NOTE A hydraulic elevator raises the car with a pump-and-jack system: an electric pump forces oil into a cylinder whose plunger lifts the car, and the car descends by gravity as oil is metered back to the tank. (6.2.1)
NOTE A holed (in-ground) hydraulic elevator places the cylinder in a drilled hole below the pit, requiring a casing and exposing the cylinder to soil and groundwater; a holeless hydraulic elevator places one or two cylinders alongside the car within the hoistway and needs no drilling. (6.2.2)
NOTE Hydraulic elevators are the economical choice for low-rise buildings of roughly two to five or six stops at speeds up to about 150 fpm, but they consume more energy per trip than traction and their rise and speed are limited. (6.2.3)
NOTE A holed hydraulic elevator's in-ground cylinder is difficult to inspect and a leak risks soil contamination; a holeless or a roped (2:1) hydraulic arrangement avoids the drilled hole and is preferred where the geotechnical or environmental conditions make drilling undesirable. (6.2.4)
6.3 Traction Drive
NOTE A traction elevator suspends the car and a counterweight on opposite ends of suspension ropes or belts over a driving sheave; the counterweight balances the car so the machine moves only the load imbalance, which is why traction is far more energy-efficient than hydraulic. (6.3.1)
NOTE A geared traction machine drives the sheave through a reduction gearbox and serves mid-rise buildings at speeds up to roughly 350 to 500 fpm; a gearless traction machine drives the sheave directly and serves the highest speeds and rises with the best ride quality. (6.3.2)
NOTE A machine-room-less (MRL) traction elevator places a compact gearless or permanent-magnet machine within the hoistway (typically at the top), eliminating the separate machine room; MRL is now the predominant selection for low- and mid-rise buildings because it saves the machine-room floor area while delivering traction efficiency and ride quality. (6.3.3)
NOTE An MRL controller is still located in a code-compliant control space with the required access and working clearance; "machine-room-less" eliminates the machine room, not the controller's accessible location. (6.3.4)
Hydraulic - holeless (1 to 4 stops, no drilling)
Hydraulic - holed / in-ground (2 to 6 stops)
Hydraulic - roped 2:1 (extended rise without deep cylinder)
Traction - machine-room-less (MRL), gearless / permanent magnet
Traction - geared, separate machine room (mid-rise)
Traction - gearless, separate machine room (high-rise / high-speed)
Per drawings — elevator schedule
6.3.5The drive type and machine arrangement shall be selected to suit the building rise, rated speed, and traffic: hydraulic for low-rise low-speed service, MRL traction for low- and mid-rise service without a machine room, and geared or gearless traction for mid- and high-rise service.
6.3.6A holed (in-ground) hydraulic cylinder shall be provided with a PVC casing and a means to contain and detect oil leakage where the cylinder is installed below the water table or in environmentally sensitive soil.
6.4 Suspension Means
NOTE Traction suspension is by steel wire ropes or by coated steel suspension belts; coated-belt systems allow a smaller sheave and machine but are a manufacturer-specific component governed by ASME A17.6. (6.4.1)
● Steel wire rope (conventional)
○ Coated steel suspension belt (compact machine, per ASME A17.6)
6.4.2Suspension, compensation, and governor systems shall comply with ASME A17.6.
7.1 Rated Load
NOTE Rated load is the load the elevator is designed and installed to lift, and ASME A17.1 ties the maximum inside car area to the rated load so that the car cannot be physically loaded beyond its rating. (7.1.1)
NOTE A passenger elevator of 3,500 lb is the common general-purpose office and mixed-use selection; 2,500 lb suits low-rise and residential service; 4,000 lb and above is selected where a stretcher, service traffic, or freight handling is required. (7.1.2)
NOTE Where the building must accommodate an ambulance stretcher, at least one elevator shall meet the code's stretcher-accommodation requirement, which sets a minimum car size larger than a base passenger car. (7.1.3)
21006000
21002500300035004000450050006000
Default: 3500 lb
Per drawings — elevator schedule
7.1.4The car inside net area shall not exceed the maximum allowed by ASME A17.1 for the rated load.
7.1.5At least one elevator serving a building required to accommodate an ambulance stretcher shall provide the minimum car dimensions required for stretcher accommodation by the building code.
7.2 Rated Speed
NOTE Rated speed is selected against the rise so that the longest run is made within an acceptable time; speed above what the rise can use is wasted cost, and speed below what the rise needs produces long trip times. (7.2.1)
NOTE Hydraulic elevators are limited to roughly 150 fpm; MRL and geared traction commonly run 150 to 500 fpm; gearless traction is selected above 500 fpm for tall buildings. (7.2.2)
1001200
10012515020035050070010001200
Default: 350 fpm
Per drawings — elevator schedule
7.2.3Rated speed shall be selected with the rise so that the full-travel run time meets the project's performance target for the building type.
NOTE Ride quality - acceleration, jerk, and in-car vibration - is a measurable quality the Owner experiences every trip, and it distinguishes a well-adjusted installation from a rough one. (7.3.1)
7.3.2The elevator shall deliver a smooth ride with controlled acceleration and jerk, and the in-car vibration and acceleration shall meet the performance criteria of the contract documents, evaluated by a method consistent with ISO 18738-1.
7.3.3Floor-to-floor performance time and door operating times shall meet the values stated in the contract documents.
0.1250.5
0.1250.18750.250.3750.5
Default: 0.25 in
7.3.4Each car shall be equipped with a self-leveling feature that automatically brings and maintains the car at the landing within 1/2 in. under rated loading to no-load conditions, as required by the ADA Standards.
8 Controller and Dispatching
NOTE The controller is the elevator's brain: it commands the drive, sequences the doors, answers car and hall calls, runs the dispatching logic for a group, and executes the emergency operations. (8.1)
8.2 Control System
NOTE Modern elevators use microprocessor-based controllers with a closed-loop variable-voltage variable-frequency (VVVF) drive for traction, or a soft-start and solid-state valve control for hydraulic, giving smooth acceleration and accurate leveling. (8.2.1)
Microprocessor control with closed-loop VVVF drive (traction)
Microprocessor control with soft-start and electronic valve (hydraulic)
Microprocessor control with VVVF on a submersible pump (hydraulic VVVF)
8.2.2The controller shall be microprocessor-based and shall execute all operating, signaling, and emergency functions required by this standard and by ASME A17.1.
8.3 Dispatching
NOTE A single car uses simple selective-collective operation; two or more cars serving common floors are grouped under a dispatcher that assigns calls to minimize wait and travel time across the group. (8.3.1)
NOTE Destination dispatch, where passengers enter their destination at a hall terminal and are grouped by destination, raises handling capacity in tall, busy buildings but changes the lobby experience and the fixture set, and is a deliberate selection rather than a default. (8.3.2)
Single automatic - selective-collective (one car)
Group automatic - 2 to 4 cars, conventional up/down hall calls
Group automatic - 5 or more cars, conventional hall calls
Destination dispatch (hall destination entry, grouped by destination)
8.3.3Where two or more cars serve common landings, they shall operate as a group under a common dispatcher.
8.4 Remote Monitoring
NOTE Remote monitoring lets the service organization see faults and performance without a site visit and shortens response time, but where it connects the controller to a network it introduces a cybersecurity exposure that ASME A17.1 now addresses; the connection shall be coordinated with the Owner's network security requirements. (8.4.1)
● Provide remote monitoring / diagnostics interface
○ Not required
8.4.2Where a remote monitoring or remote interaction connection is provided, it shall comply with the cybersecurity provisions of ASME A17.1 and shall be coordinated with the Owner's information-security requirements.
9 Doors and Entrances
NOTE The door operator and entrances are the elevator's most exercised mechanical system and the part the passenger touches most; their type sets the opening width, the lobby appearance, and the dwell experience. (9.1)
9.2 Door Operator
NOTE A closed-loop (VVVF) door operator gives quiet, fast, and reliably reversing door operation and is the current standard; it is far less prone to the nuisance reversals and slow operation of older operators. (9.2.1)
● Closed-loop (VVVF) high-performance door operator
○ Heavy-duty operator for freight / large openings
9.2.2Each car and hoistway door shall be power-operated by a door operator that opens and closes the doors in coordinated motion.
9.3 Door Configuration
NOTE Single-speed and two-speed side-opening doors suit passenger cars; center-opening doors cut door time and suit busy passenger service; freight cars commonly use vertical bi-parting doors. (9.3.1)
Single-speed side-opening (passenger, narrow opening)
Two-speed side-opening (passenger)
Center-opening (passenger, high traffic)
Two-speed center-opening (wide passenger opening)
Vertical bi-parting (freight)
Per drawings — elevator schedule
3660
3642485460
Default: 42 in
Per drawings — elevator schedule
9.3.2The clear door opening shall be not less than 36 in. for an accessible passenger elevator, as required by the ADA Standards.
9.4 Door Protection
NOTE A multi-beam (curtain-of-light) reopening device senses a person or object across the full door height and reopens the doors without contact, and it has become the expected level of protection on passenger elevators. (9.4.1)
Multi-beam (full-height curtain of light), non-contact
Multi-beam plus mechanical safety edge
Mechanical safety edge only (freight / heavy duty)
9.4.2Passenger car doors shall be protected by a non-contact, multi-beam reopening device that reopens the doors when the path is obstructed.
9.4.3Door dwell and nudging times shall comply with the minimum door-timing requirements of the ADA Standards and ICC A117.1.
9.5 Entrances
NOTE Hoistway entrance assemblies shall carry the fire-protection rating required for the hoistway enclosure by the building code, and the fire rating of the entrance shall match the rating of the surrounding wall. (9.5.1)
Baked-enamel painted steel
Brushed (satin) stainless steel, No. 4 finish
Stainless steel with applied pattern / texture
Bronze or muntz metal (architectural)
Per drawings — finish schedule
● 1-1/2 hour (B label) - typical hoistway enclosure
○ 1 hour
○ Other rating per the building code analysis
Per drawings — code analysis
9.5.2Hoistway entrances shall be fire-rated assemblies labeled to the rating required for the hoistway enclosure by the building code.
9.5.3Each entrance shall include a sill, the fire-rated door panels, the frame, and the hangers and tracks as a labeled assembly.
10 Cab Enclosure and Finishes
NOTE The cab is the only part of the elevator most users ever see, and its enclosure, ceiling, lighting, flooring, and protection set the building's impression and its maintenance burden. (10.1)
10.2 Cab Enclosure
Plastic laminate panels
Brushed (satin) stainless steel, No. 4 finish
Painted steel
Stainless steel with applied pattern / texture
Architectural panels (stone, wood veneer, or glass) on a backing system
Per drawings — finish schedule
10.2.1Cab interior finish materials shall meet the interior-finish flame-spread and smoke-developed limits of the building code for an elevator car.
10.3 Cab Ceiling and Lighting
NOTE LED lighting is the standard car illumination; it reduces heat load on the cab and energy use, and it lasts far longer than the lamps it replaces. (10.3.1)
○ LED downlights / luminous ceiling
● LED with battery-backed emergency lighting integral to fixtures
10.3.2Car illumination at the car controls, platform, threshold, and landing sill shall be not less than 5 footcandles, as required by the ADA Standards.
10.3.3Emergency car lighting and the emergency communication device shall be supplied from an automatic emergency power source within the car, as required by ASME A17.1.
10.4 Car Flooring
Resilient (rubber or vinyl) tile or sheet
Recessed pan for Owner-furnished finish floor
Porcelain or stone tile on a reinforced platform
Carpet tile
Per drawings — finish schedule
10.4.1The car floor surface shall be stable, firm, and slip-resistant as required by the ADA Standards.
10.4.2Where a recessed pan is provided for an Owner-furnished floor finish, the recess depth shall be coordinated with the finish thickness so the finished car floor is flush at the sill.
10.5 Car Protection and Accessories
☑ Handrail on car walls
☐ Removable protective pads and pad hooks (service / freight handling)
☐ Reversible / sacrificial wall panels (service cars)
☐ Ventilation fan
☐ Card reader / access-control provision
10.5.1A handrail complying with the ADA Standards shall be provided on at least one wall of an accessible passenger car.
11 Signal Fixtures
NOTE Hall and car fixtures are the passenger's interface and the firefighters' interface, and their arrangement, markings, and feedback are governed by the accessibility standards and by ASME A17.1. (11.1)
11.2 Car Operating Panel
NOTE Car control buttons, their height, their markings (including raised characters and Braille), and their feedback are governed by the ADA Standards and ICC A117.1 so the panel is usable by passengers with disabilities. (11.2.1)
11.2.2Car control buttons shall be located within the reach ranges of the ADA Standards and shall be raised or flush.
11.2.3Each car control button shall provide visible feedback when a call is registered.
11.2.4Floor buttons and emergency controls shall be identified by raised characters and Braille adjacent to the control, as required by the ADA Standards and ICC A117.1.
11.2.5A door-reopen button, an emergency communication device, an emergency alarm, and an emergency stop (where permitted) shall be provided on the car operating panel.
Single car operating panel
Dual car operating panels (front and rear, or both sides of opening)
Panel with integral attendant and independent-service controls (service cars)
11.3 Position and Direction Indicators
☑ Car position indicator in each car
☐ Hall position indicator at the main / lobby landing
☐ Hall lanterns and audible signal at each landing (passing chime)
☐ Hall position indicators at all landings
11.3.1Audible and visible hall signals (lanterns) indicating car arrival and travel direction shall be provided as required by the ADA Standards, with the audible signal sounding once for up and twice for down.
11.4 Communication
NOTE The in-car emergency communication device connects an entrapped passenger to a monitoring point and is a life-safety device that ASME A17.1 requires to function on emergency power and, in current editions, to support two-way messaging accessible to users who cannot hear or speak. (11.4.1)
11.4.2A two-way emergency communication device connecting the car to a continuously staffed or monitored location shall be provided in each car.
11.4.3The emergency communication device shall operate from the car emergency power source and shall comply with the communication accessibility requirements of ASME A17.1 and the ADA Standards.
12 Accessibility
NOTE An elevator on an accessible route shall be a usable accessible elevator: its car size, leveling, gaps, controls, signals, and timing all fall under ADA Standards Section 407 and ICC A117.1, and these are mandatory, not optional. (12.1)
12.2 Car and Clearances
NOTE The accessible car must provide a wheelchair turning or clear space, level stops, and a small, controlled gap to the landing so a wheelchair user can enter and turn. (12.2.1)
12.2.2The accessible car inside dimensions shall comply with ADA Standards Section 407.4 for the door location provided.
12.2.3The clearance between the car platform sill and the edge of the hoistway landing sill shall not exceed 1-1/4 in.
12.2.4The car shall stop and level at each landing within 1/2 in. of the landing under rated to no load.
Centered door, 80 in. wide x 51 in. deep (per ADA 407.4.1)
Side door, 68 in. wide x 51 in. deep (per ADA 407.4.1)
Larger car providing a 60 in. turning space
Stretcher-accommodation car (exceeds minimum accessible dimensions)
Per drawings — elevator schedule
12.3 Controls and Signals
NOTE The accessible-route signals and controls - reach ranges, raised and Braille markings, tactile floor designations at jambs, and door timing - are the operable-parts requirements that make the car usable. (12.3.1)
12.3.2Raised and Braille floor designations shall be provided on both jambs of each hoistway entrance at the accessible landings.
12.3.3Hall call buttons shall be centered within the reach range required by the ADA Standards.
12.3.4Door dwell and reopening timing shall meet the minimums of the ADA Standards so a passenger has adequate time to enter.
13 Firefighters' Emergency Operation
NOTE Firefighters' emergency operation removes the elevators from public use during a fire and gives the fire service controlled access; it is a code-mandated life-safety function with two phases, and its interface with the fire alarm system is a primary coordination point. (13.1)
13.2 Phase I - Emergency Recall
NOTE Phase I automatically recalls the cars to a designated level when a fire alarm initiating device in the elevator lobby, hoistway, or machine room operates, so occupants are kept out of the elevators during a fire. (13.2.1)
NOTE Recall is initiated by the fire alarm system, not by the smoke detectors inside the elevator, and the interface between the fire alarm panel and the elevator controller must be coordinated point-by-point. (13.2.2)
13.2.3Phase I emergency recall operation complying with ASME A17.1 shall be provided on every elevator.
13.2.4Phase I recall shall be initiated automatically by the operation of a fire alarm initiating device installed at the designated level, the alternate level, each elevator lobby, the hoistway, and the machine room or machinery space.
13.2.5The fire alarm initiating devices that command recall and any shunt trip shall be provided and interfaced under Fire Alarm Systems, and the recall and shutdown interface shall comply with NFPA 72. 13.2.6A three-position (ON-OFF-BYPASS) Phase I key switch shall be provided at the designated level for each single elevator or group.
● Recall to the main entry / lobby level; alternate level one floor served
○ Recall to a designated level other than the main entry level
Per drawings — life-safety plan
13.3 Phase II - In-Car Operation
NOTE Phase II gives a firefighter exclusive in-car control after Phase I recall, by a key switch in the car operating panel, so the fire service can run the car under direct control. (13.3.1)
13.3.2Phase II emergency in-car operation complying with ASME A17.1 shall be provided on every elevator.
13.3.3A Phase II key switch and the firefighters' operating instructions shall be provided in the car operating panel of each elevator.
13.4 Sprinkler and Power Interface
NOTE Where sprinklers are installed in the hoistway, machine room, or machinery space, the elevator must shut down before the sprinkler discharge can wet energized equipment, which requires a coordinated detection-and-shutdown (shunt trip) interface that is a frequent source of acceptance failures. (13.4.1)
13.4.2Where sprinklers are provided in the hoistway, machine room, machinery space, or control space, automatic main-line power shutdown (shunt trip) shall be provided and shall be initiated by a detector that responds before the sprinkler in that space operates, in accordance with ASME A17.1 and NFPA 72.
13.4.3The shunt-trip detection, the shunt-trip device, and the elevator-controller interface shall be coordinated among the elevator, fire alarm, and electrical trades and shall be demonstrated at acceptance.
14 Emergency and Standby Power
NOTE On loss of normal power, the building's standby source can return cars to a landing and, where required, keep selected cars running; the selection and recovery sequence must be defined or cars will sit stalled or the standby source will be overloaded by simultaneous starts. (14.1)
14.2 Standby Power Operation
NOTE A building with standby power generally cannot start every elevator at once without oversizing the generator, so the controller sequences the cars - returning all cars to a landing one at a time, then running a selected subset. (14.2.1)
14.2.2Where the elevators are connected to a standby or emergency power source, the controller shall provide automatic emergency power operation complying with ASME A17.1.
14.2.3On transfer to standby power, the cars shall be returned to a landing in a controlled sequence, and the selected car or cars shall then resume operation as defined in the emergency power operation sequence.
14.2.4The standby power source, the transfer scheme, and the number of cars to run on standby power shall be coordinated with Emergency And Standby Power in accordance with NFPA 110. Sequenced recall of all cars, then one selected car runs
Sequenced recall of all cars, then a selected group runs
Recall to landing only (no continued operation on standby power)
No standby power connection
Per drawings — electrical one-line
14.3 Regenerated Power
NOTE A traction elevator returns energy to the source when an overhauling load drives the machine (a full car descending or an empty car rising); a regenerative drive feeds that energy back to the building rather than burning it as heat, cutting energy use and machine-room cooling load. (14.3.1)
● Provide regenerative drive (returns energy to building)
○ Non-regenerative drive (energy dissipated as heat)
○ Not applicable (hydraulic)
14.3.2Where a regenerative drive is provided, the regenerated power and the harmonic distortion fed to the building shall be stated in the power confirmation submittal and coordinated with the electrical design.
15 Hoistway, Pit, and Overhead
NOTE The hoistway, pit, and overhead are building work, but their dimensions, structure, and provisions are dictated by the elevator equipment; getting them wrong forces field rework that is expensive and schedule-critical. (15.1)
15.2 Dimensions and Clearances
NOTE Final hoistway plan dimensions, pit depth, and overhead (top) clearance shall be taken from the approved elevator layout drawings, not from the bid documents, because the selected equipment sets the exact values. (15.2.1)
15.2.2The hoistway, pit, and overhead shall be constructed to the dimensions and tolerances shown on the approved elevator layout drawings.
15.2.4Running clearances between the car, counterweight, and hoistway shall comply with ASME A17.1.
15.3 Pit Provisions
NOTE A pit that fills with water disables the elevator and corrodes equipment, so the pit must drain or be pumped and must be safely accessible; these are common acceptance deficiencies. (15.3.1)
15.3.2A permanent pit ladder or other approved access to the pit complying with ASME A17.1 shall be provided.
15.3.3A pit light and a pit GFCI receptacle shall be provided.
15.3.4A means to keep the pit free of water - a floor drain or a sump with a pump and an oil-detection or oil-separation provision where hydraulic oil could enter - shall be provided.
15.3.5A pit stop switch shall be provided within reach of the pit access.
Floor drain to the building drainage system (with oil interceptor where required)
Sump pit with pump and oil-detection / oil-separation provision
Sump pit with pump (non-hydraulic hoistway)
Per drawings — plumbing plans
15.4 Hoistway Provisions
NOTE Hoistway venting, smoke control at the top of the hoistway, and the prohibition of foreign piping in the hoistway are code requirements coordinated with the building design. (15.4.1)
15.4.2Hoistway lighting and a hoistway light switch shall be provided as required by ASME A17.1.
15.4.3No piping, ducts, or equipment foreign to the elevator shall be installed in the hoistway.
15.4.4Hoistway venting or smoke relief, where required by the building code, shall be coordinated with the building design.
16 Seismic Provisions
NOTE In seismic regions ASME A17.1 imposes specific elevator seismic requirements - counterweight retention, rail bracket spacing and strength, displacement switches, and snag-point guards - beyond ordinary component anchorage. (16.1)
16.1.1Where the elevator is in a seismic design category that triggers the seismic requirements of ASME A17.1, the elevator shall comply with those requirements.
16.1.2Guide rails, rail brackets, the counterweight and its guards, and the machine and controller anchorage shall be designed and installed for the seismic forces determined per ASME A17.1 and ASCE/SEI 7.
16.1.3Where required, a seismic (displacement) detection device shall be provided that, on operation, brings the car to a safe stop away from the counterweight and places the elevator on seismic operation.
16.1.4Seismic anchorage and bracing shall be in accordance with the signed and sealed calculations submitted under Submittals.
○ Yes - elevator seismic requirements of ASME A17.1 apply
● No - not triggered by the seismic design category
Per drawings — structural drawings
17 Installation
17.1 Coordination
17.1.1Before installation, the Contractor shall verify that the hoistway, pit, overhead, machine room or machinery space, structural supports, and electrical and fire alarm provisions are complete and conform to the approved layout drawings.
17.1.2Discrepancies between the field conditions and the approved layout drawings shall be reported to the Architect and resolved before installation proceeds.
17.2 Setting and Alignment
17.2.1Guide rails shall be set plumb and aligned within the manufacturer's tolerance so the car and counterweight run smoothly without lateral movement.
17.2.2The machine, sheaves, and controller shall be set in their approved locations and anchored to the building structure.
17.2.3Hoistway entrances shall be set plumb, level, and aligned with the car so the doors operate freely and the sill gap meets the accessibility limit.
17.3 Electrical and Interface Connections
17.3.1Feeders, branch circuits, and the disconnecting means for each elevator shall be provided and connected in accordance with NFPA 70 Article 620 and Conductors And Cables. 17.3.2The controller, machine, rails, and car shall be grounded and bonded in accordance with Grounding And Bonding and NFPA 70. 17.3.3The Phase I recall, shunt trip, and any sprinkler interface connections to the fire alarm system shall be made and verified with Fire Alarm Systems. 17.4 Protection During Construction
NOTE Elevators used for construction hoisting before acceptance are exposed to abuse and contamination, so the cab finishes and door equipment must be protected and the equipment must be restored to new condition before turnover. (17.4.1)
17.4.2Where an elevator is used for temporary construction hoisting before acceptance, it shall be protected, maintained, and operated by qualified personnel, and the cab finishes, doors, and operating equipment shall be restored to new condition before final acceptance.
18 Testing and Acceptance
NOTE The acceptance inspection and test, witnessed by the authority having jurisdiction, is the gate to placing the elevator in service; it verifies the safeties, the emergency operations, and the performance against ASME A17.1 using the procedures of ASME A17.2. (18.1)
18.2 Field Acceptance Tests
18.2.1The Contractor shall perform the full acceptance inspection and test of each elevator in accordance with ASME A17.1 and the procedures of ASME A17.2, witnessed by the authority having jurisdiction.
18.2.2The acceptance test shall include the car and counterweight safeties, the governor, the buffers, the terminal stopping devices, the brake, and the rated-load and (for traction) overload and balance tests required by ASME A17.1.
☐ Car and counterweight safety device test
☐ Overspeed governor test
☐ Buffer test
☐ Normal and final terminal stopping device test
☐ Rated-load and (traction) balance / overload test
☐ Brake and (hydraulic) pressure-relief / leakage test
☑ Firefighters' emergency operation (Phase I and Phase II) test
☐ Standby power operation test
☐ Leveling, door timing, and performance verification
18.3 Emergency Operation Tests
18.3.1Phase I emergency recall shall be tested by operating each interfaced fire alarm initiating device and confirming that the cars recall correctly to the designated and alternate levels.
18.3.2Phase II emergency in-car operation shall be tested for at least one full run under in-car key control.
18.3.3The fire alarm interface and any shunt-trip shutdown shall be tested with the fire alarm system and documented in the interface verification record.
18.3.4Standby power operation shall be tested by transferring to the standby source and confirming the car recovery sequence and the operation of the selected cars.
18.4.1Leveling accuracy, floor-to-floor performance time, door operating and dwell times, and ride quality shall be verified against the contract performance criteria.
18.4.2Any car that fails to meet the leveling, gap, timing, or accessibility requirements shall be corrected and retested before acceptance.
19 Maintenance During Warranty
NOTE Elevators require continuous maintenance from the day they are placed in service; ASME A17.1 requires a Maintenance Control Program, and the equipment manufacturer's authorized service is best positioned to maintain new equipment during the warranty period. (19.1)
19.1.1Full maintenance of each elevator, including the systematic examination, adjustment, lubrication, and repair (and replacement) of components, shall be provided by the installer for the warranty period in accordance with the equipment's Maintenance Control Program.
19.1.2Maintenance during the warranty period shall be performed by personnel directly employed and supervised by the installer or the equipment manufacturer.
19.1.3Callback (emergency) service shall be provided during the warranty period within a defined response time.
Full maintenance, normal working hours, with defined callback response
Full maintenance, with 24-hour callback service
Full maintenance with examination interval per the Maintenance Control Program
20 Warranty
NOTE The elevator manufacturer and installer warrant the equipment and installation against defects in materials and workmanship for the period below, beginning at acceptance and beneficial use. (20.1)
1 year from acceptance / beneficial use (minimum)
2 years from acceptance / beneficial use
20.1.1The manufacturer and installer shall warrant the elevator equipment and installation against defects in materials and workmanship for the specified period, beginning at acceptance and beneficial use.
20.1.2Defective materials and workmanship discovered within the warranty period shall be corrected at no cost to the Owner.
20.1.3The warranty shall exclude damage caused by misuse, abuse, vandalism, or operation outside the rated service conditions, and damage caused by failure of building power, water intrusion, or environmental conditions outside the equipment's published range.
NOTE The Owner cannot maintain or service the elevator after warranty without the manufacturer's special tools, diagnostic access, and the wiring diagrams; withholding them locks the Owner to a single service provider. (21.1)
21.1.1The Contractor shall deliver to the Owner the special tools, diagnostic devices, passwords, and software access needed to maintain, adjust, and troubleshoot the elevators.
21.1.2A complete set of as-built and straight-line wiring diagrams shall be furnished and retained in the machine room or controller space.
☐ Manufacturer special tools and service devices
☐ Diagnostic / service tool access (and passwords) for the installed controller
☑ As-built and straight-line wiring diagrams (in machine room)
☐ Recommended spare parts list with reorder information
21.1.3A recommended spare-parts list with reorder information shall be included in the operation and maintenance manuals so the Owner can procure spares over the equipment's service life.