Once upon a time, elevators were little more than rickety platforms that left riders wondering whether they’d make it to the top in one piece. Elevator security standards have evolved in leaps and bounds since those days, and your building’s elevators need to meet these standards if you want to stay ASME-compliant.
Below, learn about must-have safety measures for your elevator, including elevator video monitoring, and how these measures can help keep your business compliant with the latest security protocols.
ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Standards: Created With Safety in Mind
ASME and CSA are standards governing the safety of elevators in America and Canada, respectively. These standards cover everything from elevator installation to maintenance.
ASME A17.1 and CSA B44 are the most current versions of these standards. They address a variety of safety standards for elevators, particularly the requirement that all elevators have video communication systems that allow riders to speak with an operator in an emergency. The phone systems must enable operators to see what’s happening inside the elevator and send emergency personnel or repair crews when needed.
ASME A17.1 and CSA B44 also require phone systems to be ADA-compliant. In an emergency, people with speech and hearing impairments should be able to use the onboard phone system. Phone systems should be outfitted with disability-friendly features like braille instructions and push-to-talk capability.
Ensuring a Smooth, Safe Ride for Your Building Occupants
In addition to two-way communication, ASME A17.1 and CSA B44 address elevator safety components, such as:
- Emergency stop button: All elevators need an emergency stop button that allows riders to stop the elevator if something goes wrong.
- Overload sensors: You may place signs outside your elevators depicting the maximum occupant and weight load, but you can’t rely on riders to follow the rules. Overload sensors detect when the car carries more weight than it’s designed to hold. If the car is too heavy, the elevator won’t run.
- Hoistway doors and interlocks: Hoistway doors prevent people from entering (and falling down) the elevator shaft when there’s no car available. Interlocks stop the elevator from running if the doors aren’t fully closed.
- Safety brakes: Elevator cables rarely fail, but if they do, safety brakes prevent free-falls and serious injuries.
- Governor: The governor’s job is to monitor the speed of an elevator. If the elevator is moving faster than it was designed to go safely, the governor will trigger the safety brakes.
Don’t forget about scheduling regular maintenance for your building’s elevators. The maintenance crew will ensure your elevator’s safety features and emergency communication system are working correctly. With regular maintenance, you’ll uncover small issues before they require costly repairs.
Count on ELEVATE Monitoring for Unparalleled Elevator Safety
Want to learn more about apartment building elevator requirements? Reach out to ELEVATE Monitoring. We’re a trusted provider of 24/7 elevator monitoring and two-way emergency communication. You’ll never have to worry about elevator security with our operators on the job.
For more information about our elevator monitoring, call 877-990-9191.
