Elevator & Escalator Inspection

Per ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Section 2.1, the hoistway must be fully enclosed with fire-rated construction per NBC Part 3. The pit must be a minimum depth per CSA B44 requirements based on car speed, be waterproofed, and have a sump pit with pump if subject to water infiltration. Pit access must be provided via a self-closing, lockable door. The pit must be free of debris and have adequate lighting per CSA B44 Section 2.2.

1. Verify hoistway walls are fully enclosed with the fire resistance rating required by NBC Part 3 for the building classification

2. Confirm pit depth meets CSA B44 minimum requirements for the rated car speed and includes adequate buffer stroke

3. Check that the pit is waterproofed, dry, and equipped with a sump pit and pump where subject to water infiltration

4. Verify pit access door is self-closing, self-locking, and opens outward from the pit per CSA B44 requirements

5. Confirm pit lighting is adequate (minimum 100 lux) and a GFCI-protected convenience outlet is provided per CSA B44

- Hoistway penetrations (pipes, conduits) not fire-stopped compromising the fire rating of the shaft

- Pit flooding due to inadequate waterproofing or missing sump pump

- Pit used for storage or containing construction debris creating hazards for maintenance

- Pit depth insufficient for the rated car speed requiring speed reduction or structural modification

Per ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Section 2.7, machine rooms must be dedicated spaces accessible only to authorized personnel. The room must have adequate ventilation to maintain equipment within operating temperature range (typically 10-40 degrees Celsius). Machine room doors must be self-closing, self-locking, and fire-rated per NBC Part 3. Electrical disconnects must be within sight of the machine per CSA B44.1.

1. Verify machine room access is restricted with a self-closing, self-locking, fire-rated door per CSA B44 and NBC Part 3

2. Confirm machine room temperature is within the equipment manufacturer's specified operating range and ventilation is adequate

3. Check that the main line disconnect switch is within sight of the machine and clearly labelled per CSA B44.1

4. Verify machine room lighting is adequate (minimum 200 lux) and a GFCI-protected convenience outlet is provided

5. Confirm the machine room is not used for storage and contains only elevator-related equipment

- Machine room used for storage of non-elevator materials creating fire hazards and obstructing access

- Ventilation inadequate causing overheating of equipment, particularly in summer months

- Machine room door not self-closing or self-locking allowing unauthorized access

- Main line disconnect not within sight of the machine creating a safety hazard during maintenance

Per ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Section 2.1, guide rails must be properly aligned, plumb, and securely fastened to the hoistway structure. Rail brackets must be anchored to the building structure at intervals not exceeding the manufacturer's specifications. Guide rail alignment must be within the tolerances specified by the equipment manufacturer to ensure smooth car and counterweight travel. Rail joints must be machined and properly shimmed.

1. Verify guide rail plumbness using a laser plumb line and confirm deviation is within manufacturer's specified tolerance

2. Check that rail brackets are securely anchored to the hoistway structure at the specified spacing intervals

3. Confirm rail joints are machined, properly aligned, and shimmed with no steps or gaps at joints

4. Verify counterweight guide rails are properly aligned and securely bracketed per CSA B44

5. Check that guide rail clips and fasteners are tightened to the specified torque per the rail manufacturer's requirements

- Guide rails out of plumb causing excessive car vibration and uneven door alignment at landings

- Rail brackets not anchored to structural elements resulting in rail deflection under emergency stop loads

- Rail joints misaligned creating bumps and noise during car travel

- Guide shoe or roller clearances not adjusted for the as-installed rail alignment

Per ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Section 2.13, hoistway doors must be equipped with interlocks that prevent the car from moving unless all hoistway doors are closed and locked. Car doors must have a restrictor that prevents the car from moving with doors open more than specified. Landing doors must be fire-rated per NBC Part 3. Fire recall (Phase I and Phase II) must function per CSA B44 Section 2.27 and NBC 3.5.4.

1. Verify all hoistway door interlocks function correctly: car must not run with any hoistway door unlocked or open per CSA B44

2. Confirm car door restrictor prevents car movement when car doors are open beyond the permitted gap (typically 50 mm)

3. Check that landing door fire ratings match NBC Part 3 requirements for the hoistway fire separation

4. Test Phase I fire recall (automatic return to designated landing on fire alarm activation) per CSA B44 Section 2.27

5. Test Phase II firefighter emergency operation (manual car control from within the car) per CSA B44 Section 2.27

- Door interlocks bypassed or defeated during construction and not restored before commissioning

- Fire recall not properly connected to the building fire alarm system

- Landing door gaps exceeding CSA B44 limits allowing smoke infiltration into the hoistway

- Phase II firefighter operation not functional due to missing or improperly wired key switches

Per ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Section 2.17 and 2.22, elevators must be equipped with safety devices including an overspeed governor, car safeties (progressive or instantaneous per speed), and buffers at the pit bottom. The governor must trip at the speed specified by CSA B44 (typically 115% of rated speed). Buffers must be rated for the car speed and loading. All safety devices must be tested per CSA B44 Section 8.6 before the elevator is placed in service.

1. Verify overspeed governor is installed and set to trip at the speed specified by CSA B44 for the rated car speed

2. Confirm car safety devices (progressive or instantaneous type) are appropriate for the rated speed per CSA B44 Section 2.17

3. Check that pit buffers (spring or oil type) are the correct type for the rated speed and are properly positioned under the car and counterweight

4. Verify the governor rope tension and sheave alignment are correct per the manufacturer's specifications

5. Confirm all safety device acceptance tests per CSA B44 Section 8.6 are scheduled or completed before the elevator is placed in service

- Safety device acceptance tests not performed before the elevator is placed into temporary or permanent service

- Governor trip speed not verified or adjusted for the actual rated speed after installation

- Pit buffers not centred under the car or counterweight frame due to rail alignment issues

- Oil buffer fluid level incorrect or spring buffers corroded from pit moisture

Per CSA B44.1/ASME A17.5 and CSA C22.1 (Canadian Electrical Code), all elevator electrical equipment must be installed per the applicable codes. Controller wiring must be completed per the manufacturer's wiring diagrams. Emergency power operation (where provided) must be tested per CSA B44 Section 2.27. Emergency lighting and communication must function per CSA B44 Sections 2.27 and 2.26.

1. Verify elevator controller wiring matches the manufacturer's wiring diagrams and all connections are secure

2. Confirm main line disconnect, branch circuit protection, and grounding comply with CSA C22.1 and CSA B44.1

3. Test emergency power operation (where provided) to verify automatic transfer and car return to the designated landing per CSA B44

4. Verify emergency car lighting activates on power failure and provides a minimum of 4 hours of illumination per CSA B44

5. Test the emergency two-way communication system (telephone or intercom) in the car to confirm connection to a monitored location per CSA B44 Section 2.26

- Emergency two-way communication not connected or not monitored 24 hours as required by CSA B44

- Emergency power transfer not tested resulting in car entrapment during power outages

- Controller wiring modifications made during commissioning not documented on as-built drawings

- Emergency car lighting batteries depleted and not maintained

Per ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Section 8.10 and provincial regulations, new elevator and escalator installations must undergo acceptance inspection and testing by the provincial regulatory authority (e.g., TSSA in Ontario, ABSA in Alberta) before being placed in service. Tests include full-load and no-load speed, safety device operation, door timing, levelling accuracy, and fire recall. All test results must be documented and retained.

1. Verify all CSA B44 Section 8.10 acceptance tests are scheduled with the provincial regulatory authority before planned occupancy

2. Confirm full-load and no-load speed tests are within the permitted tolerance of the rated speed per CSA B44

3. Check car levelling accuracy at all landings and verify it is within the permitted tolerance (typically plus or minus 6 mm)

4. Verify door timing and reopening devices comply with CSA B44 Section 2.13 and accessibility requirements per NBC 3.5 and CSA B651

5. Confirm all test results, manufacturer's maintenance manuals, wiring diagrams, and as-built drawings are compiled and handed over to the building owner

- Acceptance inspection not scheduled in time causing delays to building occupancy

- Car levelling accuracy inconsistent across landings creating trip hazards at door thresholds

- Door timing not adjusted for accessibility requirements resulting in insufficient time for persons with disabilities

- As-built documentation and maintenance manuals not provided to the building owner at commissioning