Find information below on our new cannon ball code that will be coming to us very soon after Springfield, IL approves it. This is very important for everyone that has interest in an elevator; it changes the way we test elevators and may force buildings to modernize their older elevator systems.
Testing – When the code comes into effect we will be adding a few more items we will have to test, this may require 2 people and an additional hour of time.
Testing is the easier part of this new code. The more challenging part is elevators that where installed 2004 and earlier. Most of these elevators may not have door lock monitoring so buildings will have to add Door Lock Monitoring[DLM] to their systems or replace their controller/door operator.
Question 1: What is door lock monitoring?
Door lock monitoring refers to a system that prevents an elevator from moving unless its doors are fully closed and locked. A door lock monitor is designed to monitor the position of an elevator’s car doors and prevent automatic operation if any door issues are detected, such as with door wiring, door locks, door contacts or a door system bypass. A door lock monitor is intended to ensure that an elevator cannot operate in such circumstances, which would prevent the elevator doors from opening automatically and any passenger falling into the hoistway, being crushed during unexpected movement of the elevator, or otherwise being exposed to danger of injury or death.
Question 2: Which elevators require door lock monitoring?
Door lock monitoring is required by the 2022 edition ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators (ASME A17.1 (2022)). The door lock monitoring requirement in ASME A17.1 (2022) applies to all automatic passenger and freight elevators in the State of Illinois. Under proposed rules, elevators permitted for installation after January 1, 2026, will be required to have door lock monitoring at the time of installation while existing elevators will be required to have door lock monitoring by January 1, 2029. Some existing elevators have door lock monitoring in place. Check with your elevator company if you are unsure of the status of door lock monitors for your elevator(s).
Question 3: When did the Board vote to adopt ASME A17.1 (2022) including door lock monitoring for all existing automatic passenger and freight elevators?
The Board voted at its August 13, 2024 meeting to amend the administrative rules, as required by the Act. In particular, the Board voted to adopt the ASME A17.1 (2022), which includes the door lock monitoring requirement for all passenger and freight elevators, both new and existing. At the Board’s November 7, 2024 meeting, the Board voted to extend the date of compliance for door lock monitoring for existing elevators to 3-years after the effective date of the 2022 code implementation. At the Board’s March 6, 2025 meeting, the Board voted to approve specific language for the administrative rules.
Question 4: Why did door lock monitoring become a requirement?
To protect the elevator-riding public from risk of serious injury and death associated with open elevator doors and elevator movement. New York City led the nation in instituting door lock monitoring2 after tragic incidents in 2011 and 2019 in which elevator passenger deaths occurred.
Question 5: When do elevator owners have to have door lock monitors in place to comply with the door lock monitoring requirement?
Under proposed rules, elevators permitted for installation after January 1, 2026, will be required to have door lock monitoring at the time of installation while existing elevators will be required to have door lock monitoring by January 1, 2029.
Question 6: How can existing elevators implement door lock monitoring?
Compliance can be achieved in two ways: 1) Adding an overlay; or 2) Modernizing the elevator. The approach taken will be determined by the elevator owner and may depend on factors such as the age of the equipment, usage, budget, and the owner’s plans for the building. Question 7: Who can I contact about getting door lock monitoring on my elevator?
A list of all licensed elevator contractors is available at
Take away – Ask your current contractor questions, get information on if you comply or you need to do work. The State of Illinois has done a great job of getting this information out to us so we can prepare building owners. This is just the start.
If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.
Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.
