CSA Preface
This is the sixth edition of ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. It supersedes the previous editions of ASME A17.1/CSA B44, published in 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007; and the previous editions of CSA B44, published in 2004, 2000, 1994, 1990, 1985, 1975, 1971, 1966, 1960, and 1938.
This Code is the result of a joint effort by the CSA B44 Technical Committee on the Elevator Safety Code and the ASME A17 Committee on Elevators and Escalators to harmonize the provisions of CSA B44 and ASME A17.1. This edition of ASME A17.1/CSA B44 consists of the complete ASME A17.1 Code, with additional requirements applicable only in Canadian jurisdictions. These Canadian requirements are prefaced in the body of the Code by the following: In jurisdictions enforcing the NBCC ….
CSA B44 was originally developed to facilitate the implementation of uniform legislation across Canada and to replace the existing legislation, which had proved inadequate for prevailing elevator practices. The primary purpose of the Code is to establish minimum requirements, suitable for adoption by regulatory authorities throughout Canada, for the design, installation, and maintenance of elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walks, and material lifts. It is also intended as a standard reference for architects, consulting engineers, elevator manufacturers, and building owners.
This Code was reviewed for use in Canada by the CSA B44 Technical Committee on the Elevator Safety Code under the jurisdiction of the CSA Strategic Steering Committee on Mechanical Industrial Equipment Safety.
Scope
1.1.1 Equipment Covered by This Code
This Code covers the design, construction, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration, and repair of the following equipment and its associated parts, rooms, spaces, and hoistways, where located in or adjacent to a building or structure (see Section 1.2):
(a) hoisting and lowering mechanisms, equipped with a car, that move between two or more landings. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, elevators (see Section 1.3).
(b) power-driven stairways and walkways for carrying persons between landings. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, escalators and moving walks (see Section 1.3).
(c) hoisting and lowering mechanisms equipped with a car that serves two or more landings and is restricted to the carrying of material by its limited size or limited access to the car. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, dumbwaiters and material lifts; it does not include vertical reciprocating conveyors (see Section 1.3).
1.1.2 Equipment Not Covered by This Code
Equipment not covered by this Code includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) personnel hoists within the scope of ANSI A10.4 and CSA Z185
(b) material hoists within the scope of ANSI A10.5 and CSA Z256
(c) platform lifts and stairway chairlifts within the scope of ASME A18.1, CSA B355, and CSA B613
(d) manlifts within the scope of ASME A90.1 and CAN/CSA-B311, and in jurisdictions enforcing the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC), special purpose personnel elevators (see Section 5.7)
(e) mobile scaffolds and towers; platforms within the scope of ANSI/SAIA A92 and CSA B354
(f) powered platforms and equipment for exterior and interior building maintenance within the scope of ASME A120.1 and CSA Z271
(g) conveyors and related equipment within the scope of ASME B20.1
(h) cranes, derricks, hoists, hooks, jacks, and slings within the scope of ASME B30, CSA Z150, CSA B167, CSA Z202, and CSA Z248
(i) industrial trucks within the scope of ASME B56 and CSA B335
(j) portable equipment, except for portable escalators, that are covered by Section 6.1
(k) tiering or piling machines used to move material to and from storage located and operating entirely within one story
(l) equipment for feeding or positioning material at machine tools, printing presses, etc.
(m) skip or furnace hoists
(n) wharf ramps
(o) amusement devices
(p) stage and orchestra lifts
(q) lift bridges
(r) railroad car lifts and dumpers
(s) mechanized parking garage equipment
(t) line jacks, false cars, shafters, moving platforms, and similar equipment used for installing an elevator (u) platform-type elevators installed on board a marine vessel
NOTES:
(1) A maritime, industrial-use device with no car enclosure. Controls are located outside of the hoistway. Typically uses elevator-type rail systems and elevator-type interlock systems.
(2) Not a platform lift within the scope of ASME A18.1.
(v) dock levelers (freight platform lifts) having a rise of 500 mm (20 in.) or less
(w) in Canadian jurisdictions, devices having a rise of 2 000 mm (79 in.) or less and used only for the transfer of materials or equipment
(x) in jurisdictions enforcing the NBCC, mine elevators within the scope of Section 5.9
1.1.3 Application of Parts
This Code applies to new installations only, except Part 1 and Sections 5.10, 8.1, and 8.6 through 8.12, which apply to both new and existing installations.
1.1.4 Effective Date
The requirements of this edition of the Code are effective as of the date noted on the Summary of Changes page of this Code, with the exception of 8.10.1.1.3 and 8.11.1.1, which shall be effective immediately. The authority having jurisdiction will establish the effective date for local regulations.
