Safety Order: Mandatory requirements for removing elevating devices from service

Safety Order

Safety Order: Mandatory requirements for removing elevating devices from service

February 18, 2014

Safety Order
Elevating Devices

Reference Number:

SO-ED 2014-01

Revision Number:

Rev 1



This safety order is issued pursuant to section 31 of the Safety Standards Act. A person affected by this safety order may appeal this order in writing to the Safety Standards Appeal Board within 30 days. The appeal process is set out on the Safety Standards Appeal Board's website at www.gov.bc.ca/safetystandardsappealboard. Failure to comply with a safety order is an offence under section 72 of the Safety Standards Act.

Part 1: Details of regulated work or regulated product

This safety order describes requirements and procedures that shall be used to temporarily and/or permanently remove elevating devices from service. This safety order is issued to all asset owners or their agent(s), elevator consultants, licensed elevator contractors, certified elevating devices mechanics, and any person responsible for an elevating device in BC. This safety order is in effect immediately and is applicable to all existing units.
 

Part 2: Requirement(s) of this safety order

The following requirements are in addition to all other regulation or code requirements for elevating devices subject to CAN/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators or to CSA B355-09 as applicable.

There are two categories to describe removal from service: temporary removal and permanent removal.

Temporary removal:

  • A reduced maintenance contract with a licensed contractor is permitted as long as the contractor visits annually at minimum. The owner and the maintenance contractor will be responsible to have an annual affidavit sent to Technical Safety BC certifying that the unit continues to be removed from service and remains in a safe condition.
  • The “removal from service” inspection must be performed by an elevating devices safety officer from Technical Safety BC while accompanied by the maintenance provider.
  • During removal, traction units will have their counterweights lowered onto the buffers and the mainline disconnect shall be sealed by a safety officer.
  • Hydraulic elevators shall have the cars lowered on to the buffers. Main line disconnect, and the machine room hydraulic shut off valve, if available, shall be sealed in the open position by a safety officer.
  • Escalators shall have the main line disconnect sealed by a safety officer.
  • Dumbwaiters shall be lowered onto the buffers and have the main line disconnect sealed by a safety officer.
  • B355 Code Lifts for persons with physical disabilities shall have the main line disconnect switch sealed by a safety officer.
  • Operating permit payments and the associated fees are still required and shall remain a responsibility for all elevating device owners until their elevating device is considered to be dismantled.
  • A full acceptance inspection by a Technical Safety BC elevating devices safety officer is required for any  unit to be reinstated to service after being temporarily removed from service for longer than six months.

Permanently removed:

1.   If the elevating device is in permanently removed from service, the following minimum requirements shall be completed by a licensed elevator contractor.

a) Traction type device

  • The hoist ropes are to be removed.
  • The counterweight and the elevator cab shall be resting on their buffers.
  • All landing doors shall be permanently closed from the hoistway side except the bottom landing, or the hoistway shall be demolished.

b) Hydraulic type device

  • The drive unit and system piping shall be removed.
  • The elevator cab shall be resting on the buffers.
  • All landing doors shall be permanently closed from the hoistway side except the bottom landing, or the hoistway shall be demolished.

c) Escalators

  • The escalator shall have the main line power wiring removed from the disconnect switch.
  • The entrance to the escalators shall be barricaded.

d) Dumbwaiters

  • The hoist ropes shall be removed.
  • The car shall be resting on the buffers.
  • All landing doors shall be permanently closed from the hoistway side except the bottom landing, or the hoistway shall be demolished.

e) B355 Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities

  • The stair platform lifts shall be removed from the premises.
  • An enclosed lift shall have the main line power removed and the landing doors permanently closed from the hoistway side except the bottom landing, or the hoistway shall be demolished.

2.   At no time should the occupants of the building be exposed to an existing elevator or dumbwaiter hoistway with a fall hazard, including:

  • An open landing entrance, or access doors that are easily accessible or fail to meet the barrier and signage requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and applicable regulations.

Dismantling

The dismantling of the elevating device does not have to be completed by a  registered elevator contractor, provided dismantling approval from Technical Safety BC has been issued. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that the demolition company has experience with dismantling an elevating device, and are aware of the associated hazards. All elevating devices installed in place of a dismantled elevating device shall be considered a new device and will need to be registered with Technical Safety BC and undergo an acceptance inspection and comply with the current Safety  Standards Act and applicable regulations.

Returning an elevating device to service

If the elevating device has been temporarily removed from service for six months or more, the owner is not required to upgrade the device to meet the requirements of the current codes and standards.  However, the unit must have a full acceptance inspection with an elevating devices safety officer before it can be returned to service.

If the owner wishes to return their device to service, the following criteria must be followed:

  • Establish a maintenance agreement with a licensed elevating device contractor, to establish regular maintenance frequency, make the necessary repairs, adjustments, tests, and (if necessary) alterations.
  • Submit all alterations if applicable to Technical Safety BC for approval
  • All applicable safety orders and/or non-compliances must be completed before returning the elevating device to service.
  • All applicable maintenance tasks and periodic tests must be completed, and a note made in the logbook documenting such tasks and tests.
  • In the event that the previous logbook cannot be located, it is assumed that all Section 12 and Appendix J/B44.2 tasks and tests are outstanding and shall be completed prior to calling for inspection.
  • The owner and/or maintenance contractor shall contact the local elevating devices safety officer to schedule an acceptance inspection of the device before returning the elevating device to service.

E: Compliance with this safety order

Building owner(s) and/or property manager(s)  responsible for premises containing temporarily and/or permanently removed elevating devices from service must comply with this safety order.

Details of Issue (if applicable)

This safety order is being issued to the following:

In the event that no property manager confirms responsibility for compliance on this safety order, Technical Safety BC will enforce this safety order against the building’s owner as indicated on land title records or assessment roles.

I certify that I am authorized to issue this safety order in accordance with section 15 (d) of the Safety Standards Act or that I have been delegated this power under section 15 (g) of the Safety Standards Act.

 

Nav Chahal
Provincial Safety Manager – Transportation

References:
Safety Standards Act