Subject

Pending Adoption of CSA-B44-00 Safety Code For Elevators
Elevator Hoistway/Building Designs for the Near Future

BACKGROUND

We expect that the new B44-00 code will be declared in force in Alberta by around April of 2003. A new requirement has been introduced in this code that may impact on building designs.

Clauses 2.14 and 3.1 of the code require standard railings (minimum 1070 mm / 42 in. high) to be installed on all sides of all elevator car tops where the distances between the edges of the car top and the adjacent hoistway enclosure exceeds 300 mm (12 in.). This new requirement is mainly in the interest of elevator worker safety.

POSSIBLE IMPACT ON FUTURE BUILDING DESIGNS

Building designers should consider that for buildings where elevators my be purchased in the near future, hoistways for elevators sold after the code is declared in force may have to be designed with higher ceilings than before to accommodate the above mentioned railings. In some cases overall building height may also be affected.

The new requirement will probably mostly affect building designs that incorporate hydraulic elevators since building roof structures are used for hoistway ceilings for most hydraulic elevators. However, building designs incorporating traction elevators may also be effected.

Note: Other overhead clearance requirements for elevators basically have not changed from the previous (1994) edition of code. They do however vary depending on the rated speed of elevators and if  they’re equipped with electric or hydraulic drives and if they are equipped with counterweights.

SUGGESTED ACTION

Building designers should work closely with elevator suppliers/installers early in building design stages to ensure this new requirement is properly addressed.