B44-16 elevating safety code

A maintenance control program is a customized maintenance and examination schedule for an elevating device that reflects installation and usage. With the adoption of this model:

• Your elevating devices will be properly maintained throughout their life cycle.
• The maintenance work performed on each device will take into account emerging technology, and how your unit is being used. This will help determine how often maintenance is required, and how the safety of your device can be improved.

The maintenance control program includes a requirement to record maintenance and testing records in both electronic and hard copy format. As an owner, this is helpful because:

• Improving the accessibility of maintenance records will ensure they are available to us and to the owner of the elevating device upon request.
• If a copy of a record is lost, there will be another version available.
• You’ll be able to verify when work is being completed on your units, and that contractual obligations are being met.
• You’ll have more visibility on maintenance being performed on your units.
• You’ll be empowered to make more safety-minded decisions through a better understanding of how your units are being maintained.

The B44-16 code requires annual, three and five-year testing of elevator systems (Category 1, Category 3, and Category 5), and testing of escalators and moving walks (Category 1 tests for escalators and moving walks). These testing requirements will contribute to the safety of your elevating device and ensure:

• Your elevating systems continue to meet safety standards throughout their life cycle.
• Your elevators can operate and stop safely in all circumstances, even during an emergency when fully-loaded.

In jurisdictions where these new tests have been implemented, safety defects have been identified that wouldn’t have been detected otherwise. As an owner, the new code will help you reduce the likelihood of a safety system failure in the event of an incident.

Implementing the new code requirements might create additional costs for maintenance contractors and device owner. These costs depend on the contractual arrangement between contractors and owners — we do not determine these costs.