Elevator pit ladders – State of Illinois mandate

This is a reminder to all building owners that all elevators must have code compliant pit ladders as of 1/1/15.  All elevator companies are extremely busy trying to catch up with this item as 90% of the elevators in the State of Illinois [excluding Chicago] are failing. 

If you have not addressed with your elevator maintenance company call them and get information.  

Permits must be pulled if you are installing a new ladder or replacing a pit ladder.

Permits do not need to be pulled if you are modifying an elevator pit ladder.

If your elevator pit is less than 35” you will not need an elevator pit ladder.

Pit ladder criteria – some of the basic criteria

1.    Pit ladder must extend 48” above hoist way entrance sill

2.    Pit ladder must be 4 ½” from center of ladder rung to nearest obstruction[typically elevator hoistway wall or conduit

3.    Pit ladders must have hand rail clearance of 4 ½”

4.    Pit ladder foot rungs must be 9” to 16” in width

5.    Pit ladder must have rung at sill level

6.    Hatch door unlocking means within 39” horizontal and 72” vertical from top step

7.    Pit ladder must hold 300lbs

8.    Pit ladders must have traction tape, knurling, dimpling or other method for foot grip.

9.  Pit ladder must be made from non combustible material

[Here is a visual from one of our local inspection firms]

[As you can see often times there is a lot going on with wiring raceways, light switches and stop switches that we need to work with in existing elevator hoistways]

[This is from an elevator hoistway where we relocated the electrical work to be out of the way of the hand rails]

Variances - Many elevator pits will never be 100% code compliant in this case you must get a variance with the municipality and send that information to the State of Illinois.  Variances will not be given based on financial considerations but based on feasibility of installing a code compliant elevator pit ladder.  Elevator inspectors do not expect the building to reconstruct the elevator system to put a pit ladder in but we do expect that every option is exhausted prior to obtaining a variance.  The elevator company should be requesting the variance for the building. 

[This pit ladder is an interesting one that can never be 100% as on the left side of the wiring raceway there is a cam that comes down off the car and with the limited space there are not any good options.  This would be a good candidate for a variance.]

Retractable pit ladders – There is an option for a retractable pit ladder when you do not have the front to back clearance from the car to the hoist way wall.  All brands of retractable ladders do have their limitations and based on the environment may not be able to be used.

With all of the requirements and the existing equipment in the elevator hoist way we also must be reasonable for expectations for each environment.  The ultimate decision on the status of your elevator pit ladder will be the elevator inspector.

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.