12 Codes of Christmas - Day 6

On the sixth day of Christmas ASME gave to me 
Remote interaction per 2.26.13

Bet you didn't think elevator professionals could work from home. Whether they're actually at home or at a distant office, the code allows for limited remote interactions with the elevator:

• The interactions are limited to call and features. The elevator must be in automatic operations.
• The interactions CANNOT enable, disable, override, reset or otherwise interfere with non-automatic operations.

If remote interaction is possible, a sign must be placed on the controller.

If you have any questions regarding your specific situation, be sure to contact us.

Click here for a complete list of all changes in the 2022 code.

12 Codes of Christmas - Day 5

On the fifth day of Christmas ASME gave to me 
Additions to the executable software list per 2.26.1.7.1

The list of executable software contains functions that must be performed on site. Most of these pertain to safety features that cannot be performed remotely. The list will include:

• Test enable operation
• Group 1 operating modes
• Restricted opening of car doors
• Passenger overload in the down direction
• Any code required manual reset
• Function, device or means

If you have any questions regarding your specific situation, be sure to contact us.

Click here for a complete list of all changes in the 2022 code.

12 Codes of Christmas - Day 4

On the fourth day of Christmas ASME gave to me 
The ability to install ERRC in hoistways per 2.8.7

Emergency Responder Radio Coverage (EERC) equipment will now be permitted within elevator hoistways. This includes radiating coaxial cables and antennas. 

The location of such equipment must be acceptable to the elevator contractor. It also must be able to be serviced from either outside the hoistway or through access panels.

Somewhat related is the provision that now non-elevator equipment may be permitted in machinery spaces, machine rooms, control spaces and control rooms if it is permitted in the hoistway (per 2.8.1)

If you have any questions regarding your specific situation, be sure to contact us.

Click here for a complete list of all changes in the 2022 code.

12 Codes of Christmas - Day 3

On the third day of Christmas ASME gave to me 
A means to detect floods per 2.2.9

This code change only pertains to buildings where the elevator can travel below the flood elevation for the property. If that's the case, flood detection must be provided between 6" and 12" above the finished floor (AFF). How the elevator responds to the detection of water is governed by section 2.27.13.

If you have any questions regarding your specific situation, be sure to contact us.

Click here for a complete list of all changes in the 2022 code.

12 Codes of Christmas - Day 2

On the second day of Christmas ASME gave to me 
A change to pit ladders per 2.2.4

Our industry is so safe that sometimes we forget how dangerous an elevator pit can be. To make sure a person can safely get in and out, the following changes will be made:

• The ladder will be at least 16" in width. 
• Ladder rungs (cleats or steps) shall be provided for the full height.
• Detection of at least 20 lbs on the ladder is required. There are various methods to detect a person, but once detected the elevator must stop. Several vendors in the elevator industry now make such a ladder so it will be relatively easy to find.

If you have any questions regarding your specific situation, be sure to contact us.

Click here for a complete list of all changes in the 2022 code.

12 Codes of Christmas - Day 1

On the first day of Christmas ASME gave to me 
A revision to hoistway lighting guidelines per 2.1.1.7

Hoistways are dark places, but we still need to work there. If the illumination in your elevator's hoistway doesn't meet code, or is non-existent, this change will definitely impact you.

The lighting must be 5 foot candles (ftc) in brightness with switches at the top of the hoistway and at pit access. It must also automatically light, and cannot be turned off by the switches, when:

• The access switch is set to 'Enable'
• The car top switch is set to 'Inspection'
• Firefighter's Emergency Operation (FEO) phase 1 is activated.

Lighting must remain lit via emergency power if necessary.

If the elevator's controller can't adapt to these conditions, it may need to be modernized. 

If you have any questions regarding your specific situation, be sure to contact us.

Click here for a complete list of all changes in the 2022 code.

State of Illinois Fire Marshal Elevator Safety Review Board Meeting 11/7/24

This was an important meeting of the Elevator Safety Review Board.  There is a lot of discussion about the upcoming adoption of A17.1 2022 and the ramifications it will have for our industry and building owners.  We previously reviewed some of the upcoming code change requirements on A17.1 2022 code update blog.

New Chair – Juan Gonzalez – Governor appointment – Congratulations!

Between January 24’ to October 24’

            489 Permits

            657 Licenses

            417 New units registered

            9,783 Total certificates issued

 The biggest item on the table was door lock monitoring.  In A17.1 2022 the new code requires all elevators to have this feature.  This means that if your elevator does not have door lock monitoring, you will be required to. 

It was suggested to give buildings a compliance date of 3 years after adoption of the A17.1 code.  It is for all elevators, no grandfather.  Newer elevators already comply.  It was noted that door lock monitoring is critical to prevent injuries and fatalities.

There was a question that if a device and/or add on panel was installed to get the older elevators to comply with door lock monitoring, would it require the building to bring the rest of the elevator up to the current code requirements in A17.1 2022.  The answer by the Board's elevator expert, Dick Gregory, was no.

The board motioned and approved a 3 year grace period after adoption of the new code.

It was discussed that the changes reviewed at the meeting may require a different vote on an updated version of the safety rules.  The next meeting on March 6^th, 2025 will again discuss the new code and the changes to the rules for final adoption at the Board level.  After adoption at the Board level, it would go to Springfield for the final part of the code adoption process.

The Relay Robotics application discussion was pushed to the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned

What is door lock monitoring? Door lock monitoring is a safety system that monitors the position of the doors and status of the door contact circuit.  Very simply, this does not allow the door locks to be jumped out or to malfunction and allow the elevator to run with doors in the open position.

This can be a very expensive proposition for buildings with an elevator control system that is older than 20 years old.  If your elevator control system is older than 20 years old you may need to modernize the elevator control system or add door lock monitoring provisions.

When will the new code be in place? Good question, with the new changes to the wording in the safety rules it will require an additional vote in March’s meeting and then the Springfield process starts.  If I where to guess sometime mid to late 2025.  That is only a guess. 

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.