Elevators and Escalators (2025-06-18)

A17.1 covers the design, construction, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration, and repair of the following equipment, its associated parts, and its hoistways, where located in or adjacent to a building or structure: (a) hoisting and lowering mechanisms, equipped with a car or platform, which move between two or more landings. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, elevators; (b) power driven stairways and walkways for carrying persons between landings. This equipment includes, but is not limited to escalators and moving walks; (c) hoisting and lowering mechanisms equipped with a car which serves two or more landings and is restricted to the carrying of material by its limited size or limited access to the car. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, dumbwaiters and material lifts.

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This Code applies to the design, construction, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, modification, and repair of equipment and related components, rooms, spaces, and hoistways located in or adjacent to buildings or structures, including:

(a) Hoisting and lowering mechanisms with a car that travels between two or more landings including, but not limited to, elevators.

(b) Power-driven stairways and walkways designed to transport people between landings including, but not limited to, escalators and moving walks.

(c) Hoisting and lowering mechanisms with a car serving two or more landings, designed primarily for material transport due to limited size or restricted access including, but not limited to, dumbwaiters and material lifts (excluding vertical reciprocating conveyors).

The NEC, 2020 edition, introduces significant new requirements for:

• The residential installation of receptacle outlets serving island and peninsular countertops and for surge protection of services supplying dwelling units
• Working space for “housekeeping pads” for electrical equipment, the installation of wiring methods in exit enclosures, sizing supply and load conductors used with adjustable-speed drive systems, and AFCI protection of branch circuits in patient sleeping areas in care facilities
• Calculating the load of electric vehicle supply equipment with variable current settings
• Worker safety in identifying the source of power for disconnecting means and for egress from spaces containing large electrical equipment
• Grounding of disconnecting means installed on the supply-side of service disconnecting means
• Cables installed exposed on ceiling surfaces and sidewalls
• Special occupancies, special equipment, and special conditions, including installation of splash pads, the use of “Type P” cables in hazardous classified locations, and the reinspection of swimming pools and other bodies of water
  
  

A17.3 is intended to serve as the basis for state and local jurisdictional authorities in adopting retroactive requirements for existing elevators and escalators to enhance the safety of the general public. It is also intended as a standard reference of safety requirements for the guidance of architects, engineers, insurance companies, manufacturers, and contractors, and as a standard of safety practices for building owners and managers of structures where existing elevator equipment covered in the scope of the Code is used. The purpose of this Code is to establish minimum requirements that will provide a reasonable degree of safety for the general public. While many of these requirements will also increase the degree of safety for the elevator mechanic and inspector, this area has not been specifically addressed at this time.

The requirements of this Standard apply to the following electrical equipment for elevators, escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters, material lifts, and elevating devices for persons with physical disabilities (platform lifts and stairway chairlifts). The equipment specified in this Standard is intended for installation in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (CSA C22.1) and the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), whichever is applicable. Note: Controllers (i.e., motion, motor, and operation controllers) are defined in CSA B44 and ASME A17.1.