CSA B355:19 Platform Lifts and Stair Lifts for Barrier-Free Access
Background
The standard CSA B355 Platform Lifts and Stair Lifts for Barrier-Free Access covers platform lifts and stair lifts. The 2019 edition of the code includes improvements to:
- Alteration requirements
- New design and technology
- Safety factors
- Emergency devices
- Accommodating larger mobility aid equipment
- Testing and reporting
Alteration Requirements
Alteration Requirements for Accessibility Devices
Annex D
This new annex specifies prescriptive alteration requirements of accessibility devices, replacing the general requirements previously in Section 10. This new annex provides general requirements, welding requirements, data plate requirements, along with prescriptive requirements for altering specific equipment. This code enhancement provides greater clarity to contractors and mechanics on the requirements when altering equipment.
New Designs and Technology
Traction
Section 6.2.5
This new section allows for traction machines and clarifies their design requirements. The 2009 edition of the code did not allow for traction machines. Traction machines use a pulley system and counterweight to lift the platform, providing an alternative to hydraulic systems.
Requirements for Glass and Similar Materials
Clauses 5.2.1.1, 5.2.1.2, 7.2.1.3
Clauses require or allow laminated safety glass or plastic safety glazing sheets to be used in vision panels on landing doors and gates, runway doors, and carriage side panels. These materials must meet minimum requirements and reference standards. While a negligible potential for cost increases may be realized for new equipment owners, using approved materials will ensure the equipment performs as expected during both normal use and in an emergency.
Door Interlocks
Clause 5.2.5.11
This change allows for doors to use new interlock types. This clause details the equivalent safety requirements for interlocks with less than 7mm of locking engagement before contacts are closed. This allows manufacturers to use newer interlock types for doors.
Types of Allowable Ropes
Clause 6.2.1.1
This change specifies the types of rope required for suspending vertical platform lifts. Iron, steel wire, or aircraft cable must meet specific size requirements and standards. The ropes must also meet safety factors based on load and minimum breaking strength that were required in the previous edition of the code.
Safety Factor Requirements
Design Requirements for Fasteners
Clause 6.1.2.6
This new section outlines the safety factor requirements for designing fasteners that transmit loads in a driving machine and sheave. These requirements are intended to prevent shearing, and include rigid connections, flexible couplings, shaft fillets and keys, and the calculation of endurance limits for components. Manufacturers will need to design fasteners to these specific safety factors.
Driving Machines, Sheaves, and Drums
Clause 6.1.2.1
This revision provides safety factor requirements for driving machines, sheaves, and drums based on maximum static loads and different metals. These same requirements applied to gear drive units in the previous edition of the code. Manufacturers will need to ensure their designs meet this clause.
Emergency Devices
Mushroom Head Buttons for Emergency Stopping Devices
Clause 8.5.2.1
Emergency stopping devices must now be a mushroom head type of button, clearly marked with the word STOP, and have no enclosures or barriers surrounding it. These changes improve accessibility and safety by making it easier for people with limited dexterity to stop the device in an emergency.
Two-way Communication in Vertical and Inclined Lifts
Clause 8.3.5
This new clause requires two-way emergency communication devices in enclosed vertical and inclined platform lifts. Two-way communication was previously required through the EDSR and has now been added to the code.
Increased Maximum Sizes for Larger Aides
Stair Lifts
Table 1
This change removes the minimum length and maximum area requirements for stair lifts. This allows manufacturers greater flexibility for seat designs.
Wheelchair platform lifts
Table 1
This change increases the maximum areas for wheelchair platform lifts to 2.00 meters squared. This will allow for lifts to accommodate larger mobility aides or wheelchair sizes.
Testing and Reporting
Engineering Report: Load Test
Annex A
This new clause requires an engineering report to confirm that a fully assembled lift has been loaded with 5 times the rated load without failure of any structural components to ensure the design's strength. This clause will require the manufacturer to design their equipment to be able to withstand the impacts of a load test. Contractors will need to perform these tests and provide an additional engineering report as part of the design registration.
Proposed Amendments to CSA B355:19
Two-way Communication
Technical Safety BC proposes to also require two-way emergency communication devices for unenclosed vertical and inclined platform lifts, based on a site risk assessment (where there is no attendant available to respond to the emergency audible alarm). Unenclosed vertical and inclined platform lifts do not require emergency communication in the code as they are not located within an enclosed hoistway and passengers are visible if they are entrapped. However, the location of some unenclosed platform lifts may create more dangerous situations to passengers if there is no means for communication, such as:
- locations with low foot traffic nearby, which could result in an entrapped passenger unable to get help
- outdoor locations, which could result in an entrapped passenger exposed to the elements for long periods of time
While there may be nominal additional costs for these communication means for newly installed unenclosed vertical and incline platform lifts, they are recommended to protect British Columbians in all scenarios when using this equipment.
