Amendments to the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation

Topic: Amendments to the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation        

Ministerial Order M259-2019, deposited on July 22, 2019, makes several amendments to the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation (Regulation). There are several timelines specified in the revised Regulation for various requirements to be met. The amendments are outlined below along with the corresponding requirements and an indication of who is responsible for ensuring that the requirements are met. All code-related information bulletins, directives and safety orders that have been issued to date remain in effect.  All potentially-impacted information bulletins, directives and safety orders will be reviewed for consistency with the new code edition and revised or rescinded if necessary.  Please check the Technical Safety BC website for updates or sign up for automatic email alerts.

Effective July 22, 2019– Licensed elevating device contractors (contractors) to prepare transition plan

Contractors performing maintenance must prepare a transition plan for submission to Technical Safety BC. This plan must be submitted in a form that is acceptable to the provincial safety manager and must contain a detailed plan describing how each contractor will bring all of the units upon which they perform maintenance into compliance with the Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirements of ASME A17.1 – 16/CSA B44 – 16.  A complete and acceptable plan must be submitted to the provincial safety manager no later than April 30, 2020.

Effective April 30, 2020 – ASME A17.1 – 16/CSA B44 -16 (2016 edition of the code) comes into force for new installations and alterations

All design submissions and all work done under installation permits issued after April 30, 2020 must comply with the 2016 edition of the code with the following exception:

• If a contractor can prove that an installation or alteration job was sold prior to April 30, 2020 then the installation permit scope and work may, at the discretion of the provincial safety manager, be permitted to comply with the 2007 edition of the code. Permissions to perform work compliant to the 2007 edition of the code will not be granted after October 31, 2020. 

Effective April 30, 2020 – All new, renewed or revised maintenance contracts must comply with the 2016 edition of the code  (including MCP requirements)

Contractors must ensure that maintenance performed on all elevating devices (that are subject to ASME A17.1 – 16/CSA B44 – 16) is in compliance with the requirements of section 8. 6 (including having  a MCP in place for the unit) on or before the earliest of the following dates:

• The date on which an acceptance inspection is requested;
• The date on which a new maintenance contract is entered into for the unit;
• The date on which a maintenance contract with respect to a unit is revised or renewed;
• September 30, 2021.

In accordance with the foregoing, no new, renewed or revised maintenance contracts can be entered into after April 30, 2020 unless they are in accordance with the requirements of section 8.6 of the 2016 edition of the code (with the BC variations described later in this Information Bulletin) and a MCP is in place for the unit. 

Effective April 30, 2020 – Contractors to submit a MCP compliance document for each unit as each unit is brought into compliance with section 8.6 of the 2016 edition of the code (transition requirements)

Section 12.1 of the Regulation specifies that a contractor must submit a MCP Compliance Document for each unit they maintain as each unit is brought into compliance with the 2016 edition of the code. The submission must be in the form required by the provincial safety manager. The MCP Compliance Document must confirm that the testing and maintenance of the device that is the subject matter of the document complies with section 8.6 ASME A17.1 – 16/CSA B44 – 16 (with the BC variations described later in this Information Bulletin). Contractors must submit a MCP Compliance Document for a unit that does not already have a MCP in place on or before the earliest of the following dates:

• The date on which an acceptance inspection is requested;
• The date on which a new maintenance contract is entered into for the unit;
• The date on which a maintenance contract with respect to a unit is revised or renewed;
• September 30, 2021.

In addition to the foregoing, and as a permanent requirement moving forward, a contractor must submit a MCP compliance document on or before the date that any of the following applies:

• An acceptance inspection is requested (as above);
• The frequency of maintenance on a unit is changed (for any unit that has a MCP in place);
• The unit’s maintenance contractor changes to a new contractor (if the unit already has/had a MCP in place).

Effective April 30, 2020 – New direct and general supervision requirements will be in force

The Regulation defines two types of supervision as follows:

“direct supervision” means supervision by a certified elevating device mechanic who is on the same premises as the supervised person, in sufficient proximity that the certified elevating device mechanic can readily

1. Observe the supervised person directly and without the aid of electronic devices,
2. Provide verbal direction and immediate assistance to the supervised person, and
3. Evaluate the work of the supervised person.

“general supervision” means supervision by a certified elevating device mechanic who is readily available to the supervised person for the purpose of providing timely direction and assistance.

The new definitions provides clarity with respect to supervision requirements as follows::

• A certified elevating device mechanic who is working outside of the scope of their certificate of qualification must be under the direct supervision of a certified elevating device mechanic whose certificate DOES include the scope of work being performed.
• A mechanic-in-training (MIT) who is working on a task that has NOT been signed off in the MIT’s skill passport must be under the direct supervision of a certified elevating device mechanic whose certificate DOES include the scope of work being performed.
• A MIT who is working on a task that HAS been signed off in the MIT’s skill passport must be under the general supervision of a certified elevating device mechanic whose certificate DOES include the scope of work being performed.
• An individual installing or altering non-structural elevator cab linings, flooring, floor coverings or door claddings must be under the general supervision of a licensed elevating device contractor of class A, RA, H or IC.

Licensed elevating device contractors are responsible for ensuring adherence to  all relevant supervision requirements. This includes ensuring that certified workers are only sent to worksites where a certified elevating device mechanic with the appropriate scope of work is available to provide direct or general supervision, as the case may be, and for ensuring that the correct type of supervision is being provided.

Effective April 30, 2020 – Licensed elevating device contractors will be required to provide a list of all certified elevating device mechanics and mechanics-in-training who are employed by the contractor as a condition of applying for, or renewing, a contractor’s license.

The foregoing will be in force for existing contractors upon the first renewal of their contractor license following April 30, 2020.  This requirement is in addition to the requirement to submit lists of maintained units and their maintenance frequencies (Regulation s.7).

Effective April 30, 2020 – Contractors to submit declarations prior to requesting acceptance inspections

On completion of work under an installation permit for either a new elevating device or a major alteration, a licensed contractor or certified elevating device mechanic must request an acceptance inspection AND submit a signed declaration that the regulated work complies with the Safety Standards Act and Regulations, and the applicable code.  The declaration must only be filled out and signed by a certified elevating device mechanic whose certificate includes the scope of work for which the declaration is submitted.

On completion of work under an installation permit for a minor alteration, a contractor or certified elevating device mechanic must (a) submit a signed declaration that the regulated work complies with the Safety Standards Act and Regulations, and the applicable code within 30 days of completing the work and (b) request an acceptance inspection within 60 days of returning the elevating device to service.  The declaration must only be filled out and signed by a certified elevating device mechanic whose scope of work includes the work for which the declaration is submitted.

Effective April 30, 2020 – Installation permits will expire 5 years after date of issue

A permit, once issued, will now require that all work under the permit be completed within a 5 year time frame. Should the work be incomplete and the 5 year timeframe elapse, a new permit will be required to be applied for, indicating the remaining scope of work to complete.

Effective April 30, 2020 – Changes regarding personnel hoists

• All extensions of travel must be inspected by a certified elevating device mechanic whose scope of work includes the work being inspected.
• After the above inspection or when a personnel hoist is relocated, the contractor or a certified elevating device mechanic must (a) submit a signed declaration that the hoist meets the requirements of the Safety Standards Act, Regulations and code, (b) request an acceptance inspection by a safety officer, and (c) ensure that, unless a provincial safety manager permits otherwise, the personnel hoist is not returned to service until the acceptance inspection in (b) is complete.
• Declarations concerning personnel hoists must only be filled out and signed by certified elevating device mechanics whose scope of work includes that which is the subject matter of the declaration.

Effective April 30, 2020 – ASME A17.1 – 16/CSA B44 -16 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators is adopted with the following changes for BC

• Sections 5.3, 5.4, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.10, 7.11 and 8.11 are not adopted.
• Clauses 8.6.1.7.1, 8.6.7.3, 8.6.7.4, 8.6.7.7, 8.6.7.8 and 8.6.7.9 are not adopted.
• 5.10.1.9.5 (openings of Hoistway Doors or Gates from Landing Side) will now read as follows:

All elevators used for construction or temporary elevators shall be provided with hoistway doors and gate devices that comply with either of the following:

1. interlocks conforming to 2.12.2;
2. combination mechanical locks and electric contacts conforming to 2.12.3.

The mechanical locking device, when used on temporary doors, shall be self-latching.

The following changes are made to Section 8.6:

• 8.6.1.2.1 (e) is amended by adding the following to the end of the paragraph:

In no case shall maintenance intervals exceed the lesser of 3 months and the manufacturer’s specified limit.

• 8.6.1.2.2 (a) is amended by adding the following to the end of the paragraph:

All other wiring schematics and diagrams relevant to the elevating device shall be available with the elevating device.

• 8.6.1.4.1 (a) (3) will now read as follows:

MCP records shall be viewable on-site by elevator personnel in both hard copy and electronic format, in a format acceptable to a provincial safety manager, made available to that authority or the owner on request of the authority or owner and shall include, but are not limited to the following:

1. site name and address;
2. contractor’s name and licence number;
3. elevating device mechanic’s name and certificate of qualification number;
4. unit number;
5. date of record;
6. a description of the maintenance task, interval, and associated requirements of section 8.6;
7. indication of completion of maintenance task.

• 8.6.1.7 will now read as follows:

Periodic tests shall be performed as follows:

1. category 1 tests shall be performed annually;
2. category 3 tests shall be performed every 3 years;
3. category 5 tests shall be performed every 5 years.

• 8.6.1.7.2 (Periodic Test Record) will now read as follows:

A periodic test record for all periodic tests shall be kept as part of the MCP record both in a log book and electronically, to be available according to the requirements of 8.6.1.4.1 (a) (3), and including all of the following:

1. the applicable Code requirement(s) and date(s) performed;
2. the name of the person or firm performing the test;
3. all values recorded from periodic tests, including printed charts or graphs;
4. if any of the alternative test methods contained in 8.6.4.20 were performed, an indication that alternative testing was utilized for the applicable requirement.

• 8.6.4.1.1 will now read as follows:

Suspension and compensating means shall be kept sufficiently clean so that they can be visually inspected, and suspension means shall be

1. inspected at intervals not exceeding 12 months, and
2. replaced if they no longer conform to the applicable requirements of ASME A17.6.

• 8.6.4.2.1 will now read as follows:

Governor ropes shall be

1. kept sufficiently clean so that they can be visually inspected;
2. inspected at intervals not exceeding 12 months, and
3. replaced if they no longer conform to the applicable requirements of ASME A17.6.

• 8.6.4.12.1 will now read as follows:

Governors shall be examined at intervals not exceeding 3 months to ensure that all seals are intact and manually operated to determine that all moving parts, including the rope-grip jaws and switches, operate freely.

• 8.6.4.13.1 is amended by adding the following to the end of the Clause:

Maintenance under this section shall be at intervals not exceeding 3 months.

• 8.6.4.13.2 (Kinetic Energy and Force Limitation for Automatic Closing, Horizontal Sliding Car and Hoistway Doors or Gates) will now read as follows:

If a power-operated horizontally sliding door is closed by momentary pressure or by automatic means, the closing kinetic energy and closing force shall be maintained to conform to 2.13.4 and 2.13.5. If a data plate conforming to 2.13.4.2.4 is not required, compliance with Appendix Z is mandatory.

• 8.6.4.19.6 (Firefighters’ Emergency Operation) will now read as follows:

Firefighter’s Emergency Operation (Phase I and II) shall be tested to determine conformance with the applicable requirements. Phase I recall shall be tested by simulating individual fire alarm initiating inputs to the elevator control, the three-position key switch at the designated landing and, where provided, the two-position switch in the building fire control station (Part 6).

• 8.6.4.20.1 (a) will now read as follows:

Rated Load and Rated Speed Test Car safeties, except those operating on wood guide rails, and their governors, shall be tested with rated load in the car. Counterweight safety tests shall be made with no load in the car. Except for Type A Safeties, tests shall be made by tripping the governor by hand at the rated speed. Type A Safeties may be tested at reduced speeds. The following operational conditions shall be checked (Item 2.29.2):

The remainder of 8.6.4.20.1 will remain as-is within the code.

• 8.6.5.7 (Record of Oil Usage) will now read as follows:

For systems for which part of either a cylinder or piping, or both, is not exposed for visible examination,

1. oil levels shall be verified at each maintenance visit by the certified mechanic conducting the maintenance visit,
2. a written record shall be kept of the quantity of hydraulic fluid added to the system and emptied from leakage collection containers and pans, and the record kept in the machine room, and
3. when the quantity of hydraulic fluid loss cannot be accounted for, the test specified in 8.6.5.14.1 and 8.6.5.14.2 shall be made.

• 8.6.11.1 (Firefighters’ Emergency Operation) will now read as follows:

All elevators provided with Firefighters’ Emergency Operation shall be subjected annually, by authorized personnel, to Phase I recall by use of the key switch, and a minimum of one-floor operation on Phase II. Deficiencies shall be corrected.  A record of findings shall be available to elevator personnel and the authority having jurisdiction.

The introductory paragraph to section 8.9 will also be changed such that the section will apply “new and altered equipment” as opposed to the current wording of “new and existing equipment”.

There is also one change to Clause B.2.2 of Annex B of CSA B355-09 Lifts for Persons With Physical Disabilities. The Clause will now read as follows:

• B.2.2 Unless otherwise specified in this Annex, the maintenance specified in Clause B.2.1 shall be carried out at intervals no longer than 3 months.

Notes:

1. Where there is a conflict between this document and the Regulation, the Regulation will prevail.

2. Copies of the fourth edition of the ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators may be purchased from multiple sources.  Under the Safety Standards Act section 24, it is the responsibility of licensed contractors to maintain current knowledge of all relevant safety information including codes and standards. Holders of operating permits also have that responsibility under section 28.  Both licensed contractors and operating permit holders must ensure that individuals in their employ (i.e., who are performing regulated work) are also current with respect to code knowledge.

Nav Chahal
Manager, Transportation

References:
Safety Standards Act
Elevating Devices Safety Regulation
Safety Standards General Regulation
Ministerial Order M259-2019