Professional Practice Guidelines

Professional Practice Guidelines for Elevating Devices (Elevators, Escalators, and Lifts)

We recognize that elevating devices’ safety requires collaboration across multiple regulatory and professional bodies.

We have partnered with The Architectural Institute of BC and Engineers and Geoscientists BC to develop Joint Professional Practice Guidelines for elevating devices. These guidelines address professionals’ responsibilities in the design and alteration of elevating devices.

The guidelines are provided as a resource to help professionals align their work with regulatory expectations, however, we are not responsible for the content, and we do not have authority to enforce the requirements.

Scope and Applicability

These guidelines serve as a resource for architects and engineers, outlining their responsibilities in the design, construction, installation, and commissioning of elevating devices in new buildings. The guidelines additionally address both minor and major alterations to elevating devices in existing buildings. They do not offer technical instructions for compliance with specific codes, such as the BC Building Code or the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.

For any conflicts in information, the requirements set by the EDSR, the adopted codes, and any issued regulatory notices should take precedence rather than these guidelines.

Please note that these guidelines are not intended for licensed elevating device contractors, certified mechanics, or duty holders. Those groups must adhere to the requirements of the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation (EDSR), applicable codes, and any issued regulatory notices, and should only use these guidelines as a supplementary resource.

Read the full Guidelines here.