Code Corner
AEMA Code Updates – January 2023
Note: This report has been compiled as an overview of items approved for publication as well as ongoing committee projects. There is no time frame for completion of these projects (if they are completed at all). Some of these have been in the works for years. The brief project description is provided to give you an idea about the project but is not a complete description. If you would like a more in-depth description of any project, please contact AEMA.
ASME A117
This committee is in a new cycle. We are not aware of any elevator/lift changes at this time.
ASME A18.1
Approved for next edition 2023
15-235 Proposed Format Changes to A18.1
21-1079 Proposed Revisions to A18.1; Requirement 1.5 Reference Codes, Standards, and Specifications
22-145 Proposed Revisions to A18.1; Clarification to Language in Requirement 2.7.1 4)
22-1172 Proposed Editorial Revisions to A18.1; Editorial Reference Correction – A18.1-2020 Requirement 2.1.1.4.1
Working Items
15-1184 Runway door unlocking devices (new rules)
16-2632 Factor of safety (no update for some time)
19-3009 Calculating the mean angle of a stair (now 45 degree average) (proposed 70 degree max (or manufacturers specification)
20-1043 Expansion on alterations (better definition of what an alteration can be)
20-1580 Machine spaces outside of VPL tower (rules for drive and electronics cabinets)
20-1581 Tags for periodic inspection (detailed specs for tags and labels)
20-1582 Requirement courtroom lifts (enclosure rules)
20-2504 IPL clearances (requiring smooth surfaces and minimum deflection)
20-2944 New requirement jumpers (number, issued to, size, color, accounted for)
20-2945 Folding rails on stairway chairlifts (movement force, retraction, attachment, etc.)
22-144 IPL Two Way Communication System (required on platform controls, compliant with other standards for wireless, etc.)
22-146 Application of Sections 10 and 11 to both new and existing installations
22-710 Reference ASME A17.6 for suspension means (specifications for wire rope)
22-712 Final terminal stopping resetting switch (does not allow movement in either direction)
22-1045 Rated load capacities (changed to reflect capacities in other sections)
22-1697 Wireless controls (unique to each lift, failsafe, not bypass safeties, over-ridden by carriage controls, etc.)
22-1698 IPL headroom clearances
22-1699 Residential VPL top landing door height (same as commercial – 79”)
22-1700 Editorial cleanup and reorganization of entrance language.
02-3350 Inspections guide – large long term project
Discussion Items
Emergency Elevator Communication System for People with Disabilities
ISO Document
Rack & Pinion Engineering and Drive System Requirements
Security Keypads or FOBs to Secure Platform Lifts
Clarifying the Direction for Inspections
Bottom Landing Safety
Travel Speed and Speed in Turns
Ability to Have Single Arm Fit on Stairway Chairlift
Separation of Vertical and Horizontal Clearance Requirements
ASME A17.1
LULA Sub-Committee
Working items
19-2125 Clarification of machine room and machine space requirement – other items in machine room.
21-2234 Machine room door size, recognizing that LULA machinery is smaller than commercial.
Update to A17.2 Inspections Guide. Updating to include recent revisions and references
Private Residence Elevator Sub-Committee
Approved for the next edition
Definition of “Car Floor Clear Space”
Auxiliary Light in Car
Working items
13-2983 Operations of Safeties – involves the requirement for a speed governor and special rules for traction drive machines.
15-164 Car door interlocks (for non-continuous enclosures)
16-149 Measuring clearances. A new template for measuring the distance from the car gate to landing door gap. On hold pending the next 2 items.
22-87 Door deflection
22-88 Clearance (4 inch ball)
16-1201 Monitoring of the hoistway door locking device contacts for redundancy)
17-294 Anti-creep leveling device – on hold until the outcome of Record 15-164.
17-500 Opto-electronic protective devices (light curtain)
18-1581 Alternate Suspension Means – review requested by Mechanical Design Committee.
18-1435 Car position relative to hoistway door unlocking (overlaps 21-57)
19-809 Counterweights potentially passing through floors (warning for service personnel)
20-77 Locking control stations/doors (language cleanup)
20-522 Clarify glass and acrylic requirements in car doors and gates. (marking)
21-57 Regarding the 150 mm (6 in.) allowance. Locking devices for car doors when leaving the hoistway. (reduce to 3 in.)
21-1049 Remote monitoring/ remote operations (no progress)
21-1050 Sprinkler in private residence (no progress)
22-62 Location of Speed Governor (“safely and readily accessible for inspection and testing”)
22-63 Driving Machines: general requirements alternate methods of moving platform during power failure.
22-1688 Shaftless PRE Exception (minor wording)
22-1691 Revision for permanent additions to hall door to meet 4 in. gap requirement
22-1693 Clarify Sight Guard Measurement Conditions (minor wording)
22-476 Request from earthquake safety committee (revised drive guards)
Various Editorial updates (A17.2, references, coordination with other standards)
Discussion Items
Hillside Incline Lift (rules are old and potentially out of date)
Hoistway Access (considering a requirement in Los Angeles)
Various inquiries
New Items
Increase platform size (15 sq ft to 22 sq ft)
Hatch proposal (cover to be weight sensitive and stop upward movement)
Error regarding re-opening devices (not required on private residence elevators)
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2010) is the current edition. It provides both scoping and technical requirements for accessible design, including requirements for platform lifts and elevators. Copies are available at United States Access Board.
International Building Code (IBC)
Current Version is 2018 IBC. This standard provides scoping for accessible elements in buildings, including lifts and elevators. The newest edition of the code and references can be purchased at ICC.
Upcoming Version: 2021 IBC Development
The International Building Code provisions provide many benefits, among which is the model code development process that offers an international forum for residential construction professionals to discuss prescriptive code requirements. This forum provides an excellent arena to debate proposed revisions.
- Get the 2021 code development schedule.
Support References for the IBC
ICC publishes a wide range of support products and materials to help users and enforcers of the IBC to improve their knowledge and understanding of the code. Several key publications are provided below, or get the full list from the ICC Store.
Significant changes to 2021 IBC Resources from the ICC Store.
IBC Codes related specifically to accessibility from the ICC Store.
National Electric Code (NEC)
The latest edition is 2020. This standard provides electrical requirements for the design and installation of lifts and elevators. Copies are available through NFPA. NFPA makes important safety codes and standards available for free online.