ASME A17.1-2022: Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators PDF

The ASME A17.1, also known as the “Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators,” is a set of standards developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to ensure the safe installation, operation, and maintenance of elevators, escalators, and related conveyances. Here are some key aspects of the ASME A17.1 code:

1. Scope and Purpose:
   • Establishes safety requirements for the design, construction, operation, testing, inspection, maintenance, alteration, and repair of elevators and escalators.
   • Applies to new installations as well as modifications and repairs to existing systems.
2. Types of Equipment Covered:
   • Passenger and freight elevators.
   • Escalators and moving walks.
   • Dumbwaiters, material lifts, and other special-purpose conveyances.
3. Safety Requirements:
   • Structural integrity and load requirements.
   • Safety devices and mechanisms (e.g., brakes, emergency stops).
   • Electrical systems and controls.
   • Fire safety measures.
   • Accessibility and usability standards, including requirements for persons with disabilities.
4. Inspection and Testing:
   • Regular inspection and testing protocols to ensure ongoing compliance with safety standards.
   • Detailed procedures for various types of tests, including load tests, safety device tests, and operational tests.
5. Maintenance and Repairs:
   • Guidelines for routine maintenance to prevent accidents and prolong the lifespan of the equipment.
   • Specifications for the repair and replacement of components to maintain safety standards.
6. Documentation and Reporting:
   • Requirements for documentation of inspections, maintenance, and any incidents.
   • Protocols for reporting and addressing safety concerns and incidents.
7. Updates and Revisions:
   • The code is periodically reviewed and updated to incorporate new technologies, materials, and safety practices.

ASME A17.1 is widely adopted in the United States and other countries, often forming the basis for local building codes and regulations related to elevator and escalator safety. Compliance with these standards is crucial for ensuring the safety of users and the proper functioning of the equipment.

The ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators is a comprehensive document that contains detailed requirements and guidelines across various aspects of elevator and escalator safety. The code is organized into multiple sections and chapters, each addressing specific components and requirements. Below is an overview of the typical content found in the ASME A17.1 code:

General Overview

• Introduction: Purpose and scope of the code, including definitions of key terms and the types of equipment covered.
• Administration: Administrative requirements, including permits, certifications, and responsibilities of owners and operators.

Design and Construction Requirements

• Elevator Requirements:
  • Design and structural integrity
  • Car and counterweight design
  • Hoistway and machine room construction
  • Safety devices and control systems
  • Electrical systems and wiring
  • Fire safety features
  • Accessibility requirements, including provisions for people with disabilities
• Escalator and Moving Walk Requirements:
  • Design and construction standards
  • Safety features, including handrails, step design, and braking systems
  • Electrical and control systems
  • Fire safety measures
  • Accessibility considerations

Operational Safety

• Operational Requirements:
  • Safe operation procedures for elevators and escalators
  • Emergency operations, including evacuation procedures and emergency power
  • User safety instructions and signage

Inspection and Testing

• Inspection Procedures:
  • Regular inspection schedules and checklists
  • Detailed inspection criteria for various components
• Testing Requirements:
  • Load tests and safety device tests
  • Operational and performance tests
  • Electrical and control system tests

Maintenance and Repairs

• Maintenance Requirements:
  • Routine maintenance schedules and procedures
  • Preventive maintenance guidelines
• Repairs and Alterations:
  • Standards for repairing and altering existing installations
  • Requirements for updating safety features and compliance with new standards

Documentation and Reporting

• Record Keeping:
  • Requirements for maintaining inspection and maintenance records
  • Documentation of repairs and alterations
• Incident Reporting:
  • Protocols for reporting accidents and safety incidents
  • Investigation and corrective action procedures

Specific Installations

• Special Purpose Elevators:
  • Requirements for specific types of elevators, such as freight elevators, residential elevators, and dumbwaiters
• Material Lifts and Dumbwaiters:
  • Design and safety standards for material lifts and dumbwaiters
• Accessibility Elevators:
  • Standards for elevators specifically designed for accessibility, such as platform lifts and stairway chairlifts

Appendices and Supplementary Materials

• Supplementary Guidelines:
  • Additional guidelines and best practices for elevator and escalator safety
• Referenced Standards:
  • List of other standards and codes referenced within ASME A17.1
• Amendments and Revisions:
  • Information on updates and revisions to the code

The ASME A17.1 code is periodically updated to reflect new technologies, materials, and safety practices, ensuring that it remains current and relevant. Compliance with this code is essential for the safety of elevator and escalator users and is often mandated by local building codes and regulations.

The scope of the ASME A17.1-2022 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators outlines the range of equipment and activities covered by the code, including design, construction, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and alteration of elevators, escalators, and related conveyances. Here is a detailed overview of the scope:

Scope of ASME A17.1-2022

1. Types of Equipment Covered:
   • Passenger Elevators: Elevators designed for the transportation of people.
   • Freight Elevators: Elevators designed for the transportation of goods and materials.
   • Escalators: Moving staircases designed for the transportation of people between floors.
   • Moving Walks: Horizontal or inclined conveyor mechanisms used to transport people.
   • Dumbwaiters: Small freight elevators used to transport food, laundry, and other lightweight items.
   • Material Lifts: Lifts designed to transport goods and materials vertically.
   • Special Purpose Elevators: Elevators designed for specific applications, such as industrial or construction elevators.
2. Design and Construction:
   • Requirements for the design and structural integrity of elevators and escalators.
   • Specifications for materials, components, and construction methods to ensure safety and reliability.
   • Design criteria for various parts, including car and counterweight, hoistway, machine room, and safety devices.
3. Operation:
   • Guidelines for the safe operation of elevators and escalators.
   • Procedures for normal operation, emergency operation, and user safety instructions.
   • Requirements for control systems, signaling devices, and operational controls.
4. Inspection and Testing:
   • Detailed procedures for regular inspections and testing to ensure continued compliance with safety standards.
   • Load tests, safety device tests, operational tests, and electrical system tests.
   • Inspection criteria for various components and systems.
5. Maintenance and Repair:
   • Standards for routine and preventive maintenance to ensure the safe and efficient operation of equipment.
   • Guidelines for repairs and alterations, including the replacement of components and updating safety features.
   • Documentation and record-keeping requirements for maintenance activities.
6. Alterations:
   • Requirements for modifications and alterations to existing installations to ensure they meet current safety standards.
   • Procedures for upgrading safety devices, control systems, and other components.
7. Accessibility:
   • Provisions to ensure that elevators and escalators are accessible to people with disabilities.
   • Design requirements for accessible elevators, including platform lifts and stairway chairlifts.
8. Fire Safety:
   • Fire protection measures and requirements for elevators and escalators.
   • Specifications for fire-rated materials, emergency signaling systems, and evacuation procedures.
9. Documentation and Reporting:
   • Requirements for maintaining records of inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
   • Protocols for reporting accidents, incidents, and safety concerns.
   • Guidelines for documentation and submission of compliance reports.
10. Referenced Standards:
    • The code references other relevant standards and regulations that must be adhered to in conjunction with ASME A17.1.

Exclusions

The scope of ASME A17.1-2022 typically excludes:

• Conveyances that are not intended for the transportation of people or goods, such as amusement rides.
• Equipment specifically regulated by other codes or standards, such as certain types of industrial lifts or construction hoists that fall under different regulatory frameworks.

ASME A17.1-2022 is designed to ensure the safety and reliability of elevators, escalators, and related conveyances, providing comprehensive guidelines for their design, installation, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and alteration. Compliance with these standards is crucial for safeguarding the wellbeing of users and maintaining the proper functioning of these systems.

The ASME A17.1-2022 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators sets forth comprehensive requirements to ensure the safety and reliability of these conveyances. Here are some key requirements outlined in the code:

Design and Construction Requirements

1. Elevator Cars and Platforms:
   • Design criteria for elevator cars, platforms, and counterweights.
   • Specifications for materials and structural integrity.
   • Requirements for car enclosures, flooring, and lighting.
2. Hoistways and Machine Rooms:
   • Construction standards for hoistways and machine rooms, including dimensions and clearances.
   • Fire-rated materials and fire protection measures.
   • Ventilation and access requirements.
3. Safety Devices:
   • Mandatory safety devices, such as overspeed governors, safety brakes, and buffer systems.
   • Requirements for door interlocks and emergency stop switches.
   • Standards for car and counterweight safeties.
4. Control Systems:
   • Specifications for control systems, including operational logic, signal devices, and alarms.
   • Requirements for emergency power and automatic recall systems.
   • Provisions for accessibility controls, such as braille buttons and auditory signals.
5. Electrical Systems:
   • Electrical wiring and component standards.
   • Grounding and bonding requirements.
   • Specifications for emergency lighting and communication systems.

Operational Requirements

1. Operation and Signage:
   • Guidelines for normal and emergency operation of elevators and escalators.
   • Requirements for operational signage, including user instructions and warning signs.
   • Procedures for evacuations and emergency operations.
2. Inspection and Testing:
   • Regular inspection schedules and criteria for various components.
   • Detailed procedures for load tests, safety device tests, and operational tests.
   • Requirements for periodic testing and certification.

Maintenance and Repair Requirements

1. Routine Maintenance:
   • Preventive maintenance schedules and procedures.
   • Guidelines for lubrication, adjustment, and component replacement.
   • Documentation and record-keeping for maintenance activities.
2. Repairs and Alterations:
   • Standards for repairing and altering existing installations.
   • Procedures for updating safety features and components.
   • Requirements for re-certification after significant alterations.

Accessibility Requirements

1. Accessibility Features:
   • Design criteria for accessible elevators, including platform lifts and stairway chairlifts.
   • Requirements for door widths, handrails, and control placements.
   • Provisions for tactile and auditory signals for visually and hearing-impaired users.

Fire Safety Requirements

1. Fire Protection:
   • Fire-rated construction materials for hoistways and machine rooms.
   • Requirements for fire alarm integration and emergency signaling systems.
   • Procedures for smoke control and evacuation.

Documentation and Reporting

1. Record Keeping:
   • Requirements for maintaining comprehensive records of inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
   • Documentation standards for alterations and upgrades.
   • Protocols for reporting accidents and safety incidents.
2. Compliance and Certification:
   • Procedures for initial and periodic certification of elevators and escalators.
   • Requirements for compliance with local building codes and regulations.
   • Documentation of compliance with ASME A17.1 standards.

Specific Installations

1. Special Purpose Elevators:
   • Standards for specific types of elevators, such as freight elevators and residential elevators.
   • Design and safety requirements for unique applications.
2. Material Lifts and Dumbwaiters:
   • Design criteria and safety standards for material lifts and dumbwaiters.
   • Operational and maintenance guidelines.

By adhering to these key requirements, ASME A17.1-2022 ensures the safety, reliability, and accessibility of elevators, escalators, and related conveyances. Compliance with these standards is essential for protecting users and maintaining the efficient operation of these systems.