Elevating Devices Car Alterations

This bulletin has been issued to provide clarity to asset owners and contractors when undertaking an alteration of an existing elevator car.

Definition

An alteration of the elevator car may include alterations to the car enclosure, car doors and gates, car illumination, or the car frames and platforms as specified in sections 8.7.2.14 and 8.7.2.15 of the CSA B44-2016 code.

Where an existing elevator car is intended to be altered, in addition to complying to the applicable requirements set forth in sections 8.7.2.14, 8.7.2.15, and 8.7.3.13 of the A17.1/B44-2016 code, the following requirements shall apply:

1. The elevator contractor shall verify that all new materials replaced or added to the car interior meet the appropriate flame spread rating and smoke development classification in their end-use configuration as applicable to section 8.7.2.14.4 of the A17.1/B44-2016 code.
2. Where the alteration results in cumulative weight added or removed during the alteration that is sufficient to increase or decrease the sum of the deadweight and rated load, including all weight changes since the car was originally installed, by more than 5%, the following shall apply:
   1. The alteration shall conform to section 8.7.2.15.2 or 8.7.3.21 of the A17.1/B44-2016 code as applicable.
   2. Cars shall be weighed prior to the alteration in order to verify the current weight of the car.
   3. Materials added and removed during the alteration shall be weighed or the car shall be weighed after the alteration in order to establish the final weight changes.
3. Any cumulative weight added or reduced to the car shall be recorded on the crosshead data tag or an auxiliary crosshead data tag shall be attached (see 2.16.3).
4. The working pressure of a hydraulic elevator shall be verified.
   1. Where the alteration increases the working pressure of a hydraulic elevator by more than 5%, the alteration shall comply with section 8.7.3.23.4 of the A17.1/B44-2016 code.

Submission of Technical Information

1. As per section 25 of the EDSR, before the alteration of the internal car modification may begin, a technical information package shall be submitted and filed with a provincial safety manager in the required form. Only the applicable sections of the form which pertain to the alteration shall be required to be filed.
2. Alterations to the internal car that increases or decreases the sum of the original deadweight and the rated load by more than 5% or increases the working pressure by more than 5% shall be considered a major alteration and the requirements of section s.12(2) of the EDSR shall apply.
3. Alterations to the internal car which do not increase or decrease the sum of the original deadweight and the rated load by more than 5%, or increase the working pressure by more than 5%, shall be considered a minor alteration and the provisions of section s.12(3) of the EDSR shall apply.

Nav Chahal,
Provincial Safety Manager - Transportation

References:
Safety Standards Act
Elevating Devices Safety Regulation
Safety Standards Act
Repeal and Transitional Provisions Regulations