CSA B44:19 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators

Background

The CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators covers electric and hydraulic elevators, escalators, and moving walks. The 2019 edition of the code includes various improvements, including in these areas:

  • Emergency communication and equipment in elevators
  • New designs and technology
  • Elevator data
  • Escalators and moving walks
  • Taking defective equipment out of service

Emergency Communication and Equipment in Elevators

Two-Way Emergency Communication

Clause 2.27.1.1

New elevators must be equipped with remote video connection, two-way messaging and text display, and have the ability to obtain responses from passengers who cannot verbally communicate or hear. The screen must display messages sent by the emergency call centre, and if needed, the call centre can turn on video to verify if someone is in the elevator. Communication and alternatives must comply with emergency signaling devices requirements (Clause 2.27.1), especially during the event of a power loss.

These enhancements will positively impact safety and accessibility for those who may be hard of hearing or may have a speaking disability if they become entrapped in an elevator.

View of Car Interior in Case of Entrapment

Clause 2.27.1.1

In high-rise buildings, there must be a way for emergency personnel to view the elevator car interior in the case of passenger entrapment notifications. This will help authorized personnel confirm if a passenger is trapped and assess if additional actions are required for their rescue.

Access Panels for Fire Alarm Initiation Devices

Clause 2.8.2.4

A new Clause allows for fire alarm testers to use an access panel to test and maintain fire alarm initiation devices (FAIDs) located in an elevator hoistway. Fire alarm prevention personnel would be able to test and maintain FAIDs without exposing themselves to elevator hoistways, and without needing a certified elevator mechanic present to provide them hoistway access. This will improve public safety by making it safer for fire prevention personnel to regularly test and maintain fire alarm initiation devices.

New Designs and Technology

3D Object Detection for Elevator Doors

Clause 2.13.5

This new code clause requires elevator car doors in new elevators to use a new technology that detects objects in three dimensions. Currently, elevator doors can only detect objects in two dimensions, which means that elevator doors will only reopen or stay open if they detect an object in the door path. With 3D object detection, elevator doors will reopen or stay open if they detect an object approaching the elevator, such as a person moving toward the elevator doors, or an object in the door path. This innovation can greatly reduce the potential for interactions with the elevator equipment, potentially reducing the number of reported incidents.

Door Interlocks and Safety Integrity Level (SIL)-Rated Devices

Clauses 2.12.2.4 and 2.14.4.2

This revision was added to clarify the types of devices allowed to be used in Hoistway door interlocks and hoistway and car door closed detection means to detect when the elevator doors are in locked position, and to clearly define the closed and locked position of the door. This change now allows elevator hoistway and car doors to utilize safety integrity level (SIL)-rated devices for this purpose. Also, new requirements are added for interlocks that use SIL rated devices as detection means to align them with the requirements of doors’ traditional electrical contacts. SIL-rated devices determine whether elevator hoistway and car doors are closed and locked based on the probability and severity of the related hazards. The required SIL rating has been specified as SIL 3; elevators will be able to operate only if both the doors are closed and locked. This will improve safety by helping to reduce the potential for interactions with doors.

Elevator Data

Unique Software Identifier

Clauses 2.26.1.7 and 3.26.11

This new clause requires executable software used in performing specific functions to have a unique software identifier (USI) to convey the current software version. A means is required in the control system to view the USI on-site, reflecting the installed software version on the controller. There are also guidelines provided for on-site testing and verification of executable software and requirements of a new USI to be logged in the records after an alteration. Manufacturers will need to impart the USI into their designs, and contractors may need to update the documentation associated with the elevator to reflect the software version in effect.

Counterweight Overbalance Range on Data Plate

Clause 2.24.2.3.5

This new clause requires manufacturers to provide the elevator’s counterweight overbalance range on the data plate at the time of acceptance inspection. This information is critical to understanding the counterweight overbalance limits for the elevator to operate safely if the car weight is changed or altered at a future date. This will provide future benefits to contractors that perform alterations by ensuring this baseline information is available.

Escalators and Moving Walks

Motor-Controlled Dynamic Braking

Clauses 6.1.5.3.4 and 6.2.5.3.3

These new clauses outline the requirements for motor-controlled dynamic braking and allow for variable-frequency control of the driving machine motor on escalators and moving walks, as an alternative to friction-based braking. Dynamic braking with variable frequency control of the motor can improve the braking and stopping performance, by providing monitored constant and precisely controlled deceleration rates regardless of load, Variable-frequency controls offer a means for escalators and moving walks to reduce the potential of harsh stops.

Taking Defective Equipment out of Service

Requirements to Take Defective Equipment out of Service

Clause 8.6.1.2.3

The requirement for mechanics to take defective equipment out of service has been added back into the code. This requirement was accidentally removed from the 2013 and 2016 editions of the CSA B44, although the responsibility continued to be implied. Given the clause has been added back into the code, mechanics may adhere to it even more strictly, which may impact elevator availability in situations where hazardous equipment was taken out of service. This highlights the importance of equipment owners having an effective maintenance regime in place. Proposed Amendments to EDSR Related to Adopting B44:19

Annual Maintenance for Wind Turbine Tower Elevators

EDSR section 21(4) requires quarterly mandatory maintenance for all types of elevating devices. However, the B44:19 code enacts the ASME A17.8 / CSA B44.8 standard for Wind Turbine Tower Elevators which allows the maintenance frequency to be annual. Wind turbine tower elevators are designed for very infrequent use by trained individuals and low maintenance intervals. BC has fewer than 250 wind turbine tower elevators, mainly in remote locations with limited access and on-site personnel. Variances are often granted for annual maintenance when it meets the manufacturer's recommended maintenance interval. This change could eliminate the need for a variance and reduce costs for operators while still meeting the manufacturer's requirements for preventative maintenance.

Mandatory Appendix E: Accessibility Requirements Enforceable by TSBC

It is recommended the Province make Non-Mandatory Appendix E mandatory in the regulations. Appendix E contains requirements intended to ensure elevators are usable by persons with physical disabilities. As this purview currently falls to the scope of municipal building inspectors under the BC Building Code (BCBC), this change would enable TSBC safety officers to utilize their subject matter expertise to enforce the requirements. This supports government priorities to protect vulnerable populations by ensuring these dedicated elevator features are inspected by a qualified elevator inspector and can be relied upon by the public.

Maintaining Previous Amendments

Technical Safety BC proposes to maintain status quo for all amendments from B44:16 as follows:

  • Exempt private residence elevators, shipboard elevators, mine elevators, and automatic transfer devices.
  • Require minimum maintenance frequency for all types of elevating devices.
  • Require all wiring schematics of the elevator electrical system to be included in on-site documentation.
  • Require electronic maintenance control program (MCP) records to be available upon request by the authority having jurisdiction or the owner.
  • Establish testing frequencies in the code: Annually for category 1 tests, every three years for category 3 tests, and every five years for category 5 tests
  • Exclude requirement for all periodic tests to be witnessed by an inspector employed by the authority having jurisdiction or by a person authorized by the authority having jurisdiction.
  • Specify governor wire ropes must be inspected annually, and replaced when they no longer conform to the applicable requirements of ASME A17.6.
  • Enforce Appendix Z as mandatory: Kinetic Energy and Force Limitation for Automatic Closing, Horizontal Sliding Car and Hoistway Doors or Gates.
  • Allow for simulated firefighters’ emergency operation testing, and annual testing of Phase I recall and correction of Phase II, Deficiencies.
  • Allow Category 5 type A safeties to be tested at reduced speeds.
  • Exclude existing, unaltered equipment from code data plate requirements.
  • Continue to exclude Section 8.11.


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