NEW PENNSYLVANIA ELEVATOR CODE:

The Pennsylvania State Legislature has adopted and signed in to law the national elevator code, known as ASME A17.1. The code is part of the Uniform Construction Code. ASME A17.1, 2000 edition with A17.1a-2002 addenda - Parts 1 thru 9, will take effect April 9, 2004. Prior to this date Pennsylvania had its own elevator code that was established in 1913. The elevator code was enforced and amended over the years by Pennsylvania's Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Department of Labor and Industry's Elevator Division. The new NATIONAL elevator code will be enforced and regulated by the same state government agency.

The following are a few ASME 2000 - 2002 code requirements that will have an initial impact on building owners and managers:

• Safety inspections will be conducted every 6 months instead of quarterly. A Pennsylvania State licensed elevator inspector must witness all safety tests.
• HYDRAULIC ELEVATORS will be safety tested every three (3) years. A "no load pressure relief valve test" must be performed every three (3) years on hydraulic elevators. Prior to the test being performed, a pressure test coupling may have to be installed on the pump unit. The connector modification and pressure test will not be covered under your present maintenance contract.
• All hydraulic elevators installed prior to 1973 must be tested by April 9, 2005. Specifically, the 1973 install date applies to the date that the in-ground hydraulic cylinder was installed.
• Hydraulic elevator cylinders installed between 1974 and 1992 must be tested by April 9, 2006. Hydraulic elevator cylinders installed in 1992 to the present, must be tested by April 9, 2007.
• All geared and gearless elevators will be tested every five (5) years, at full speed with a full load on the car. The pit buffers will be tested at the rated speed as well. All elevator system components that are to be tested as per the ASME code will tested every five (5) years. Three categories of tests will be tested and witnessed by an elevator inspector on the day of the full load test. Roped hydraulic elevators must be tested with a full load at the rated speed every fifth year also.
• Because of the additional testing requirements, there will be costs associated with the five year test that need to be included in your elevator maintenance budget. Contact your maintenance contractor for pricing.

Note: Hydraulic pressure relief tests and full load safety tests stress the elevator equipment beyond normal operating parameters. The elevator contractor will not be held liable for damage to the elevator equipment.

This is a small sampling of the many changes that the new ASME A17.1 2000-2002 elevator code requires. Should you have any questions regarding the newly adopted elevator code, please contact United Elevator Company at 215-569-4230 and ask to speak with a sales representative.