ASME Elevator Code
Elevators, escalators and moving walks are the safest form of transportation in the world. In 1921 the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) developed uniform safety requirements for elevators, and published the first edition of ASME A17.1. ASME continues to set the pace in the elevator-and-escalator industry and has successfully released a series of national codes. The U.S. building transportation industry is regulated by state and in some instances by local authorities having jurisdiction. Not all states and localities automatically adopt updated building transportation safety codes. In fact, many states and localities require the Authority Having Jurisdiction over building transportation safety to conduct an administrative rulemaking process to adopt an updated version of the code. As a result, many jurisdictions do not adopt new codes for long periods of time after their publication.
A17.1
One of ASME’s most popular safety standards―addresses elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walks and material lifts. It provides requirements applying to the design, construction, installation, operation, testing, inspection, maintenance, alteration and repair of these conveyances.
A17.2
Covers recommended inspection and testing procedures for electric and hydraulic elevators, escalators, and moving walks required to conform to the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, A17.1-1955 and later editions, plus the Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators, A17.3. Note: this Guide may not reflect the latest requirements in the current A17.1/B44 and A17.3 Safety Codes.
A17.3
The purpose of this Code is to establish minimum requirements that will provide a reasonable degree of safety for the general public. While many of these requirements will also increase the degree of safety for the elevator mechanic and inspector, this area has not been specifically addressed at this time.
A17.4
ASME has been publishing the ASME A17.4, Guide for Emergency Personnel since 1972. This guide was originally developed as a result of a demand from many building owners, lessees, and operating managements needing guidance for the evacuation of passengers from stalled elevator cars. Today it has evolved to provide guidance for the evacuation of passengers from stalled elevator cars as well as firefighters’ service operating procedures. Significant revisions and updates have been made since the last publication in 1999.
A17.5
This code applies to the electrical equipment for elevators, escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters, material lifts, and elevating devices for persons with physical disabilities (platform lifts and stairway chairlifts):
A17.6
This First Edition includes standards for three technologies for elevator suspension, namely: Steel wire ropes, Aramid fiber ropes, Non-circular elastomeric coated steel suspension members.
A17.7
This performance-based Safety Code covers the design, construction, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration, and repair of the following equipment and its associated parts, rooms, spaces, and hoistways, where located in or adjacent to a building or structure.
If you are interested in purchasing any of the A17 code publications, please visit The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) website at https://www.asme.org/shop or purchase from Elevtorbooks at https://www.elevatorbooks.com.
Elevator Resource Directory
