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WHAT'S NEW IN 1999 FOR ELEVATING DEVICE OWNERS
Alberta Regulation 216/97 - Makes Maintenance Mandatory for Elevators, Escalators, Speed Walks, Speed Ramps, Dumbwaiters, Freight Platform Lifts.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Owners (or their agents) should make appropriate arrangements as soon as possible (if they have not already done so) in preparation for an expansion of in-service inspections to address the new maintenance requirements including:
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Maintenance and repairs must be performed by persons with an Alberta Certificate of Proficiency in the Trade of Elevator Constructor or by a registered apprentice under their direct supervision. |
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Logbooks must be kept in each machine room (if no machine room available a sign posted at the driving machine indicating where); or electronic logbooks may be kept but must be available on demand for each device. Logbooks must contain records for 5 years of maintenance procedures conducted and trouble calls. |
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We suggest the date each procedure or service is carried out and the name of the elevator service person that performs each service be included in the logbook. |
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Since the keeping of logbooks is a new requirement it seems logical that logbooks be kept starting from May 1, 1999 as a minimum acceptable standard. |
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Up-to-date electrical schematics must be maintained on sight. |
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If not now available, we suggest obtaining them through elevating device manufacturers, maintainers or consultants. |
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General Maintenance including: |
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Inspections, examinations and tests at required or scheduled intervals of all parts and functions of an installation in order to ensure, to a reasonable degree, that the installation is in a safe operating condition; |
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Cleaning, lubricating and adjusting applicable components at regular intervals and repairing or replacing all worn or defective components where necessary, to prevent the device from becoming unsafe for operation; |
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Repairing or replacing damaged or broken parts affecting safe operation. |
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The new regulation was supposed to go into effect in November 1998. However, since it's adoption in 1997 considerable effort has been made to clarify with the legislators how intervals between specific maintenance procedures in the regulation are supposed to be applied. The way the regulation was struck, most of them are required every three months. To the best of our knowledge this did not accurately reflect the intent of the Safety Codes Council.
At present it appears a province wide ruling is imminent to facilitate that intent. When finalized, the variance should allow elevator manufacturers, maintenance contractors or engineers to vary the intervals up to at least yearly except where longer intervals are specified by the regulation subject to written proof of agreement by owners (or their agents).
We expect Alberta Labour in conjunction with the Safety Codes Council will issue the definitive document in the very near future. As soon as it is issued, application of the new regulation will commence.
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR ELEVATORS
Alberta Regulation 276/98 is in effect on March 1, 1999
The regulation makes "door restrictors" mandatory on car doors of new elevators and allows them to be installed on existing elevators. It is intended to minimize the possibility of passengers falling down elevator shafts while jumping out of elevators stalled between floors. In effect, elevator car doors will no longer be openable from inside by trapped passengers unless they are within 250 mm (10 inches) of a landing.
As an option, longer platform guards may be used, subject to a maximum 250 mm opening exposed below regardless where the elevator stops. Its feasibility also depends on sufficient elevator pit depth. (Consult an elevator contractor for suitability in your application).
AEDARSA strongly recommends that elevator car door restrictors or alternate long platform guards (where feasible) be installed on all existing elevators.
Accident experience throughout North America supports it. The most recent we are aware of in Alberta was a fatality in late 1996. A youth jumped from an elevator stalled between floors; landed on the building floor below; stumbled and fell down the elevator shaft beneath the elevator through the hoistway door that had been opened from inside the elevator by the passengers that had been stuck.
If you have any questions pertaining to this newsletter your nearest AEDARSA office can provide assistance.
Edmonton Office
#207, 8616 - 51 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T6E 6E6
Phone: (780) 448-0184
Fax: (780) 448-0237 |
Calgary Office
#209, 264 Midpark Way SE
Calgary, AB T2X 1J6
Phone: (403) 216-5750
Fax: (403) 216-5755 |
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