00 Elevator electrical requirements /arc flash

There are National Electrical Code[NEC] requirements that are being enforced by some in some facilities.   I was in a facility last week and was requested to use OO electrical gloves if I were to work on any live elevator circuits.   I was at the building to assist the fire protection company resetting the elevator system so there was no need for the OO electrical gloves.  If I needed to touch the live elevator controller, I would need the gloves.  You can turn the power off and work without the gloves. Please see what the gloves look like below.  The gloves are an item that the elevator company should provide.

For elevator personnel work it is very difficult to work with these gloves on but it is a requirement in some facilities.  The new requirements are for the safety of the elevator mechanic or apprentice.  Some facilities in the future may require electrical protection matting.  The matting is an item that the building owner should provide.

Please keep your eyes out for tags like these and make sure that you have the proper protection equipment if the building is requesting it.  The tag will indicate what class of gloves you will need. 

  

If the building would like you to wear a rubber suit and they are willing to work with the elevator company to pay for the suit and the time it takes to work with the suit on and wearing the suit does not compromise your safety, you must wear it.  The electrical code is changing to increase electrical safety, while it does inhibit our ability to perform efficiently and effectively at times we must respect the building owner’s request.

The likely hood of a request for elevator personal to wear a arc flash suit is very low.  All electrical safety requirements should be discussed at the office level before the elevator personnel arrives on site so the person going to the facility can be prepared.  

Also when working on electrical equipment you must wear cotton long sleeves so if you are a person who wears short sleeves on a regular basis, make sure you have a cotton long sleeve shirt in your car in the event you visit a facility with strict safety requirements.

If you have an questions or would like information from Colley Elevator you can go to www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.