Tag Archives: Elevator ADA

Elevator Standards: Codes and Standards All Buildings Should Know

Elevators are an essential part of our daily lives, providing convenience and accessibility in buildings of all types. However, without adherence to strict standards, elevators can pose safety risks and limit accessibility for individuals with disabilities. In this article, we will provide some of the most important elevator standards that building owners should consider to ensure the safety, accessibility, and compliance of their elevator systems, as well as promote energy efficiency and optimal performance, among other attributes as well.

ASME A17.1: The Ultimate Safety Code

ASME A17.1 stands as the primary safety code governing the design, construction, installation, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration, and repair of elevators and escalators in the USA. This comprehensive code covers a wide range of critical aspects, including required safety features, maximum travel distances, equipment specifications, and inspection procedures. Complying with ASME A17.1 is crucial for building owners to ensure the safety and performance of their elevator systems.

ADA Standards: Ensuring Accessibility for All

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) establishes requirements for elevator car sizes, door widths, control heights, audible and visible signals, and more. These standards aim to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access and use elevators without any barriers. Following ADA standards is not only important for new buildings but also for existing ones, as retrofitting elevators to meet these accessibility requirements is paramount in creating inclusive environments for everyone. ADA Standards

Local Codes and Amendments: The Fine Print

Most jurisdictions have adopted some version of the International Building Code (IBC), which references ASME A17.1 and includes additional elevator regulations. It is crucial for building owners to consult local authorities and be aware of any amendments or additional elevator rules specific to their jurisdiction. Staying up to date with local codes guarantees compliance and enhances overall safety and efficiency in elevator operations.

EN 81: The European Standard

For building owners with operations in Europe, adherence to EN 81, the main international standard for elevator safety, dimensions, and operations, is essential. This standard ensures that elevators meet the safety requirements across European countries, contributing to a harmonized and safe transportation system.

Fire Service Access Elevators: Preparedness in Emergency Situations

Some jurisdictions require elevators to have additional features to facilitate their use by fire departments during emergencies. These requirements may include larger car sizes, water exposure protection, emergency power provisions, and more. Building owners must ensure compliance with these additional rules to aid first responders in their firefighting and rescue efforts.

Energy Efficiency: Promoting Sustainable Practices

In addition to safety and accessibility, energy efficiency is an important aspect of elevator systems. Building owners should consider standards and codes that promote energy-saving practices, such as using energy-efficient lighting, regenerative drives, and efficient operation modes. By implementing these measures, building owners can reduce energy consumption and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Maintenance & Inspections: The Lifeline of Elevator Systems

Proper maintenance, repair, and regular inspections conducted by qualified technicians are crucial for ensuring the longevity and safety of elevator systems. Standards dictate minimum inspection frequencies and procedures that must be followed, and documentation of maintenance activities must be retained. Regular maintenance and inspections help identify potential issues before they become safety hazards and ensure the smooth operation of elevators.

Building Information Modeling (BIM): Enhancing Collaboration and Efficiency

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital modeling and information management process that enhances the design, construction, and operation of buildings. Many standards and codes related to elevators have incorporated BIM requirements to promote better collaboration, communication, and coordination between stakeholders involved in elevator projects.

Meeting elevator standards is vital for building owners to ensure the safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency of their elevators. Codes such as ASME A17.1, ADA standards, local codes, EN 81, fire service access requirements, energy efficiency standards, maintenance regulations, and BIM guidelines protect the welfare of elevator users, promote accessibility, reduce energy consumption, and help avoid potential legal issues and mishaps. Staying current with the latest editions of these standards and incorporating sustainable practices guarantees compliance and enhances overall safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and performance within any building.

Elevator services overcharges

Today it is common for elevator consulting firms to witness several companies being overcharged for elevator services. Overcharges have always been common throughout the years, however in present times – it is a daily occurrence. It has always been common in certain industries, but has become a daily occurrence in all industries – whether it be a hospital, a hotel, a retailer, or a commercial property that is being overcharged. The overcharge reasons might be for overtime labor, missed preventative maintenance, parts, unnecessary repairs, travel time, or repairs that are already covered in your contract. Those elevator services may be justified, but often times the amount being charged is rarely accurate. When managing a building that has an elevator, escalator, or lift, busy property managers, general managers, portfolio managers, asset managers, building engineers, building owners, (or whatever your title or role maybe) must review their elevator information carefully. An elevator service contract that has been given to you may be difficult to comprehend unless you are an elevator expert that deals with elevator issues daily. Elevator consulting firms exist because the elevator industry is difficult for common building professionals to be adequately knowledgeable on the subject. Elevators, escalators, and lifts have always been a mechanical conundrum within a building, and there are several things that a building professional should know in order to safeguard the building from paying expensive over charges.

Over ninety percent of buildings with elevators have a maintenance service agreement that was presented by the service provider and signed by the building. That percentage is an estimate based on what The Elevator Consultants repeatedly observes. Although we believe it is higher since our clients are working with a consulting firm. Many times, buildings sign these contracts without being aware that they have another option: They can have a maintenance agreement specification written by an elevator consulting firm, or they can utilize the elevatorapp.com website and have one created. The fee for an elevator maintenance service agreement specification that favors the building and its operations is well worth the cost. Over charges are eliminated and costs are contained, so the return on investment is almost always immediate, and a contract written for the building is easier to comprehend and drafted with terms that are in line with a specific building.

If you have a contract that has been executed by the service provider, it is crucial that you understand it. The contract will incorporate language that declares what is included, excluded, and what the elevator service contract will provide. When a proposal or invoice is received from the service provider, the building will need to review it carefully in order to verify if the service that you’re being charged for is included in the contract. If it is in the contract, then you will know that its covered and there should be no charge to you. If it’s not covered in your contract, you’ll be charged for the cost of any materials used as well as the labor to do the install or repair. The building should also scrutinize the labor rates and time for the repair to make certain that the charges are accurate. You will be able to determine the amount of time it for the install or repair by referring to the logs that you are keeping at your building. This is such a simple task that can save a building a significant amount of money and should always be done.. The elevatorapp.com automates the process and simplifies things making these tasks remarkably easy. These simple, upfront tasks can help protect the building from being overcharged on elevators. It is important to realize that while its common for buildings to rely on their elevator service provider, the code dictates that the responsibility ultimately lies with the building owner. The building owner is required to have records of all maintenance.

In today’s world, there are many unprecedent things going on that no one could have ever predicted, resulting in various stresses laid upon everyone and everything. The elevator industry is certainly not

the only industry that is being exposed to overcharges, and the overcharges can happen for numerous reasons – including simple human or computer error, and inquiring about it may get the charges eliminated if they were in fact charged in error. If a building is faced with a confusing proposal or invoice, they can always reach out to an elevator consulting firm at any time. The Elevator Consultants will always let the building know in advance if they can be help a building with their elevator issues. The building will have to spend some money to save a significant amount of money, but the savings will pay for any consulting fees in no time at all. A building professional has an extreme work load – and elevators, escalators, and lifts should not have to be a part of it.

Elevator ADA Requirements

Many people have heard about the horrifying story of the woman who died in an elevator in the Chinese city of Xi’an. What makes it even more disturbing; however, is the fact that the woman had been in the elevator for over a month before being found. The elevator mechanics had cut off power to the elevator without properly assessing whether or not anyone was inside. Unfortunately, the country “has poor records on workplace safety where proper safety procedures and practices are routinely ignored,” according to the AP. This terrible incident begs the question of whether or not this woman’s death could have been avoided if code was enforced more strictly by the Chinese government. Moreover, there are no laws in place in China that resemble the Americans with Disabilities Ac t (ADA) that we have here in America. Elevator ADA code requires that there be a telephone in each elevator car that relays to a 24 hour answering service. Had this code been in place, the woman would have been able to call to the answering service and they would have been able to get her out immediately. Elevator ADA requirements also state that any failure to take prompt action to effect repairs to an elevator could constitute a violation of Federal laws.  If these elevator ADA codes had been implemented, the elevator would not have been shut down for thirty days for risk of violating ADA elevator requirements and the woman would have been found and promptly removed from the elevator cab. This situation highlights the importance of elevators being code compliant, in terms of ASME A17.1, CSA B44, ADA, and any Authority Having Jurisdiction. America is much more diligent than many other countries in terms of code compliance, but is not immune to tragic events.