State of Illinois elevator pit ladder information

We do another post about elevator pit ladders.  While everyone in the elevator business may be tired of pit ladders it is still the most popular topic out there and one of the items we as an elevator contract spend the most time on at the moment.  I have included some general information about pit ladders as well as some new information on making sure the pit ladder is by the unlocking device. 

As you may know all elevators require a pit ladder that complies with ASME A17.1 – 2007 section 2.2.4.2.  All building are required to be compliant as of 1/1/15, as we know most buildings are not compliant.  From what I hear from the elevator inspectors that 90% of the elevators fail their inspections for their pit ladders.

[State of Illinois public act]

                                                        [Code requirements]

                                                         [Pit ladder graphic]

Ladders on opposite wall of unlocking device – If you have a pit ladder on the opposite wall of the unlocking device, this must be moved.  We at times do not look for this when doing our ladder surveys.  On the side of the pit wall closest to the unlocking device you must have your pit ladder, stop switch and pit light switch[if you have one].  I recently was at a building measuring for a Life Jacket safety device and the pit ladder was on the wrong side of the wall, this was a freight elevator with a deep pit and I was working with someone else to get measurements of the pit equipment.  When I was in the pit I had no way of unlocking the freight door from the pit. Be aware when installing pit ladders that it allows you to get out of the pit, but it is on the same side of the pit wall as the unlocking device.  Climbing the pit ladder to find the unlocking device 10’ away will allow you to get exercise but not out of the pit and may even create a more dangerous situation if you are leaning over trying to hit the unlocking device that is just out of reach on your tip toes with one hand on the ladder.

Putting the pit ladder on the unlocking device side of the hoist way have been a part of the code for a long time but we as an industry haven’t always followed them when putting our stop switches, pit ladders, pit lights in the hoist way.   I have been to newer buildings that the ladders and other devices are on the wrong walls.  At times there is a reason they are on the wrong wall[i.e. sump pump in the way of where the ladder should go], other times it is because it was convenient for the installer.

Variance process – At times it is very difficult to get a perfect solution for the elevator pit ladder as there are many other items that go in the elevator pit.  It is up to the elevator contractor and building owner to do as much as possible to comply with the requirements.  If you have exhausted all means, you can work with the municipality on a variance.

    [Variance request information from EIS, one of our inspection firms in the State of Illinois]

Working with existing environments – This pit ladder installation is a great utilization of the existing environment and making it as safe as possible for the user.  As you can see there are a lot of items that made this a challenging installation.   To get the ladder in by the unlocking device the mechanic had to squeeze a 9" ladder in between the hydraulic line and the sump pump line.  This mechanic made both of these lines highly visible so when the next person goes in the pit they do not hurt themselves or damage any of the equipment.  This ladder passed inspection even though it is not perfect it is as good as it will get with the environment. 

If you have not addressed your pit ladder situation in the State of Illinois[less Chicago] contact an elevator contractor to see what you need to do. 

Other State of Illinois mandated items - While we are concentrating on pit ladders don't forget that you must have elevator phones, door protection devices, emergency lights & alarm, pit stop switches, phase monitors[traction elevators] and a door restrictor[should have been completed by 1/1/14.

              [Information from Thompson Elevator, another inspection firm from Illinois]

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