Sunday, April 11, 2010

Elevator Code: Passenger Elevator Door Restrictors

Are cab door restrictors required to be retrofitted on elevators that weren't required when installed? In my home State of Florida, ASME Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators is adopted by the prevailing Florida Building Code that states; 3001.5 Design, installation and alteration of elevators. 1. "Each elevator shall comply with the Elevator Safety Code that was in effect at the time of receipt of application for the construction permit for the elevator". So what that means is that if it was required when the permit was received by the State it has to be there and working now. If no restrictor was required under the Code in effect at that time, none is needed now unless the equipment has been upgraded and those changes fell under the prevailing codes or new codes have been enacted that require the addition of door restriction. Different areas of the country have different laws. Check with your local code authorities or contact us for information in your area.

First lets clear up the code rule on door restriction; code states that the car door must be prevented from being forced open no greater than four inches (4") from within the elevator when the elevator is a set distance away from any landing opening, outside of the door zone. This distance is referred to as the "Unlocking Zone", which is a minimum of 3" to a maximum of 18" above or below the landing depending on the equipment specifications. This is intended to prevent passengers from forcing themselves out of the protective cab area into the hoistway where fall and crushing hazards may be present. So, that's a good rule. What code says is exactly that; it does not say a car door restrictor must be present and working, it states a restrictor, not especially a car door restrictor. Any device that meets the code requirement is fine.
Here's the code language from both ASME A17.1-2004 & 2007;

ASME A17.1-2004 & ASME 17.1-2007: "Hoistway and car doors of passenger elevators shall conform to 2.12.5.1 through 2.12.5.3".

2.12.5.1 - "When a car is outside the unlocking zone, the hoistway doors or car doors shall be so arranged that the hoistway doors or car doors cannot be opened more than 100 mm (4 in.) from inside the car".

2.12.5.2 - "When the car doors are so arranged that they cannot be opened when the car is outside the unlocking zone, the car doors shall be openable from outside of the car without the use of special tools".

2.12.5.3 - "The doors shall be openable from within the car (see 2.14.5.7) when the car is within the unlocking zone".

Unlocking Zone: a zone extending from the landing floor level to a point not less than 75 mm (3 in) nor more than 450 mm (18 in) above and below the landing.

There are few different methods used to achieve the restriction requirement:
One of the common systems uses a cable or metal bar to lift a "hook type" device from a cam above the door opening as the car door clutch engages roller or set of rollers on the hoistway door. This system, in my opinion, is the least desirable method for a couple reasons; first it is the most commonly found defeated system by elevator technicians. I've examined numerous elevators during inspections and maintenance audits and found this disabaled due to entrapments with maladjusted componenets and what I see as technicians not having a clear understanding of the setup and adjustments needed to keep that system operating properly. A small mal-adjustment can result in entrapment of passengers.
System two is the installation of angle metal pieces that catch against one another whenever the elevator is not aligned within the door zone. This is almost foolproof and stone-cold reliable when installed properly and requires no further adjustments or repairs as long as it's not damaged or moved through misadventure. The downside is installation may take a little longer than method one, especially if more landings are involved. This makes for a costly increase in high-rise buildings, but still worth the expenses as it is a one time hit that need not be revisited and reliability is increased.

System three is an electronic activated cam that activates when a separate sensor aligns with a target to indicate the car is within the landing zone. These work pretty good and are second in my ranking behind the angle pieces. The price of this system and installation cost may be deterrent. Power loss consideration is a factor as this system depends on available power to operate. The first two systems listed are strictly mechanical.
There are few more variations of door restriction available but the three listed here make up the bulk of products. We suggest this course of action in determining how to proceed:

1. Do research and find out if you are required to provide door restriction if it is not presently equipped on your elevator equipment. We can help you make that determination. Contact us through our website.

2. If your elevator(s) are equipped with door restriction installed, have the service technician demonstrate its function to ensure it is functional and adjusted properly. The service provider should be checking this device frequently to make sure it is performing within code requirements. Do not wait to see this as violation item on an inspector's checklist.

3. If it is determined that door restriction is required to be added, look at all available options. Some service companies may only offer what has the best profit margin for them.
We are available to aid in determining the correct code requirement for your area and in selecting the best option for compliance. Contact us through our website or call directly at: 386.956.4683 or 407.221.6386

4 comments:

  1. Are Elevator Door Restrictors required in the Las Vegas Nevada area, if so when did this requirement go into effect?

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  2. Thank you for sharing valuable insights into elevator codes and door restrictors. Safety measures in elevators are of utmost importance, and it's crucial to understand the requirements and options available.

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  3. This post provides a comprehensive breakdown of elevator door restrictors, shedding light on their importance and various implementation methods. The author's insights on the reliability and drawbacks of different systems add depth to the discussion, making it valuable for both professionals and laypersons alike. Reading this, I recalled a recent experience where I noticed a malfunctioning door restrictor in a building elevator, highlighting the relevance of this topic in ensuring passenger safety. Read more: https://fullertonelectricpros.com/home-business-lighting-services/

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