Information Bulletin: Use of escalator or moving walk handrail sanitizing products

1. General details     

This information bulletin provides guidance to elevator contractors and owners of escalators and moving walks who wish to install handrail sanitizing products on their devices as part of COVID-19 prevention and mitigation strategies.

2. Regulatory requirements

The installation of handrail sanitizing equipment is considered a minor alteration as referenced in the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation and the ASME A17.1/ CSA B44 code.

As required by the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation, a minor alteration installation permit and technical information package shall be submitted to Technical Safety BC prior to the installation of the handrail sanitizing equipment. The documentation noted in part C must be submitted as part of the technical information package.

3. Installation requirements

Currently, Technical Safety BC is aware of two types of escalator and moving walk products that expose handrails to UV light in order to sanitize handrails:

1. Externally mounted devices installed at the newel of the escalator.
2. Internally mounted devices installed within the truss of the escalator.

These devices may be installed on escalator and moving walks under a minor alteration installation permit. Conditions to ensure the safety of the escalators and moving walks will be attached to these permits, and the sanitization devices must meet the following conditions:

1. Externally mounted devices shall be provided with a means to detect any obstruction at the entry point. These detection means, when activated, shall remove power to the driving-machine motor and brake.
2. Externally mounted devices shall not interfere or hinder access to any required electrical protective device associated with the escalator or moving walk.
3. Documentation shall be provided verifying that the handrail sanitizing equipment satisfies electrical safety requirements and has been listed/certified and labeled/marked in accordance with applicable safety standards or codes.
4. Where the UV exposure impacts the integrity of the handrail, the maintenance control program shall contain handrail check-out procedures in the on-site documentation (see 8.6.1.2.2(b) section of the B44-16 code)
5. Documentation containing information and procedures for the installation, operation, maintenance and inspection of the handrail sanitizing equipment shall be provided and shall form part of the on-site documentation (see 8.6.1.2.2 section of the B44-16 code)
6. The installation of the handrail sanitizing equipment shall be completed by either a licensed elevator mechanic or be installed under the direct supervision of a licensed elevator mechanic.

Upon review of the technical information package submitted for the minor alteration installation permit, if a handrail sanitization device cannot meet these requirements, Technical Safety BC may refuse to issue a permit for this product.

4. Relevant excerpts from the code and regulation

ASME A17.1/ CSA-B44 code:
 

8.7.6 Alterations to Escalators and Moving Walks

8.7.6.1 Escalators 8.7.6.1.1 General Requirements. … The addition of a component or a device that was not part of the original design is an alteration and must conform to the requirements of 8.7.6.1 for that device or component 8.7.6.2 Moving Walks 8.7.6.2.1 General Requirements. … The addition of a component or a device that was not part of the original design is an alteration and must conform to the requirements of 8.7.6.2 for that device or component. 8.7.6.1.14 Lighting, Access, and Electrical Work. An alteration to or addition of lighting, access, or electrical work shall conform with the specific requirements within 6.1.7 for that change. 8.7.6.2.14 Lighting, Access, and Electrical Work. An alteration to or addition of lighting, access, or electrical work shall conform with the specific requirements within 6.2.7 for that change

 

Elevating Devices Safety Regulation:
 

 “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
(a) observe the supervised person directly and without the aid of electronic devices,
(b) provide verbal direction and immediate assistance to the supervised person,
And
(c) evaluate the work of the supervised person.

Minor alteration
25(1) Before the installation of a new elevating device or a minor or major alteration of
an existing elevating device may begin, a technical information package for the elevating device must be submitted to, and filed with, a provincial safety manager in the required form.

12(3) On completing regulated work under an installation permit for an elevating device that has undergone a minor alteration, a contractor or mechanic must do both of the following:
(a) within 30 days of completing the regulated work, submit to a provincial safety manager a signed declaration that the regulated work complies with the Act and regulations;
(b) within 60 days of returning the elevating device to service, request a safety officer to conduct an acceptance inspection.
 

Nav Chahal
Provincial Safety Manager - Transportation

References:
Safety Standards Act
Elevating Devices Safety Regulation
Safety Standards General Regulation