This Standard is intended to serve as the basis for contractors or individuals installing, testing, and inspecting private residence elevators. It is also intended for use for insurance companies and owners of these devices. In provinces or territories that do not have an Authority Having Jurisdiction that regulate private residence elevators, the requirements of this standard should be enforced by local municipalities. For the purpose of this Standard a private residence elevator is defined as an elevator installed in an enclosed hoistway forming part of the permanent structure of a single family dwelling.
The requirements of this Standard are intended to be used on all private residence elevators after the date of publication of this Standard. Private residence elevators installed prior to the date of publication of this Standard are not covered by this Standard except that if a CECA ID label is required on a private residence elevator by a municipality, owner or an insurer of an existing elevating device installed before the publication date of this Standard, then it shall meet the requirements of section 7 of this Standard.
This standard will be reviewed as needed on an ongoing basis by the CECA Private Residence Division and may be altered if required. If you have any comments or would like to propose any changes to this standard please contact the CECA Private Residence Division.
CECA provides the administrative requirements for this Standard but does not take any responsibility to ensure the applicable codes, installation procedures and this Standard are followed onsite. It is the responsibility of the contractor installing private residence elevators to ensure all applicable codes, installation procedures and this Standard are adhered to. CECA also recommends that municipalities in provinces and territories that do not have an Authority Having Jurisdiction that regulate private residence elevators ensure the elevator has an installation permit and ID label issued by CECA and has had an acceptance test completed by an authorized person identified in section 5.1 (a) to (g) before occupancy.
CECA has reviewed this Standard for Private Residence Elevators (the "Standard"). The Standard provides that CECA will approve training providers (5.1(g)), issue installation permit (6.1-6.3), supply a CECA acceptance test document (7.1), and maintain a database that will document the current status of any device registered with it (7.2).
CECA's role when issuing installation permit is passive in nature. CECA will only confirm that the required documents have been submitted and completed. CECA will not check these forms for the adequacy or truthfulness of the information contained therein.
CECA's role in maintaining a database of the required documents is similarly passive in nature. CECA will include the information submitted to it in the database but will not check that the information is adequate or true.
In all circumstances, the Contractor shall be solely liable for any issue(s) relating to the Standard and will hold CECA harmless, indemnify it and include it as a named insured in its comprehensive general liability policy.
- Scope
- Definitions
- Application and Adoption of Safety Codes
- Contractor Requirements
- Mechanic Certification
- Installation Permits
- Acceptance Test
- Owner Requirements
- Continuing Education of Elevator Mechanics
1. Scope
1.1
This Standard specifies the minimum requirements for the installation, testing, inspection and operation of private residence elevators. The intent of this standard is to establish safeguards to reduce the risk of accidents associated with the installation and operation of such equipment.
1.2
This Standard does not apply to the following elevating devices installed in private residences.
- Stair chair lifts
- Dumbwaiters
- Vertical platform lifts (B355 devices)
- Inclined platform lifts (B355 devices)
- All devices exempted as per the latest edition of the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 section 1.1.2
1.3
This Standard does not address location of or access to elevating devices installed in private residences. These factors may be regulated by the enforcing authorities, municipalities or insurers.
2. Definitions
Alteration – any change to equipment other than maintenance, repair or replacement.
Authority Having Jurisdiction – the organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcement of codes and standards.
Carriage – the whole moving part of the lift designed to carry a user or users.
CECA – Canadian Elevator Contractors Association.
Certifying Organization – an approved or accredited, independent organization performing product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed/certified equipment or material and whose listing/certification states whether that equipment meets appropriate standards or has been tested and found suitable for use in a specified manner.
Contractor – for the purpose of this standard the contractor is the business or self-employed individual installing, maintaining, repairing or altering an elevating device in a private residence.
Controller – an assembly of electrical components which makes up the electrical control equipment of the elevating device.
Elevator – a hoisting and lowering mechanism, equipped with a car designed to carry passengers, that moves within guides and serves two or more landings.
Engineer – a person who is registered or licensed as a professional engineer in any Canadian jurisdiction.
Hoistway – an opening through a structure for the travel of an elevator extending from the pit floor to the roof or floor above.
Installation – a complete elevator, including its hoistway, and related construction, and all machinery and equipment necessary for its operation.
Maintenance – a process of routine examination, lubrication, cleaning, adjustment and replacement of parts for the purpose of reasonable performance and safety.
NAESA – National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities.
Owner – the person or corporation which is the registered and/or beneficial owner of the Private Residence in which the elevating device is located.
Permit – issued by CECA to confirm the elevating device contractor is registered with CECA and has provided the required documentation to begin work on a private residence elevator as per the requirements this standard.
Private Residence – a separate dwelling or a separate apartment in a multiple dwelling that is occupied only by the members of a single family unit.
QEI – Qualification of Elevator Inspector certification
Regulatory Authority – the person or organization responsible for the administration and enforcement of the applicable legislation or regulation governing the installation, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, or alteration of equipment covered by this Standard.
Shall – indicates a requirement that is mandatory.
Should – indicates a requirement that is recommended.
3. Application and Adoption of Safety Codes
3.1
Private residence elevators shall be installed to the requirements of the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Code Part 5 Section 5.3. (most recent edition adopted by jurisdiction) except for that,
(a) hydraulic elevators section 3.19.3.3.1 9 (a) “not be installed within the hoistway, nor project into or through any wall” shall not apply. Installation of hydraulic hose shall be permitted in the hoistway and through walls provided the hose shall be minimum SAE 100, R2 type, high pressure, steel wire reinforced, rubber-covered hydraulic hose as specified in SAE J517.
(b) Section 3.19.4.7. A flow control device installed at the cylinder limiting the speed in the down direction to 125% of rated speed shall be permitted in place of an overspeed valve.
(c) The maximum inside net platform area shall not exceed 1.85 m² (20 ft²).
4. Contractor Requirements
4.1
Contractors installing, maintaining, repairing or altering elevating devices in private residences shall adhere to the requirements of this Standard and,
(a) shall have a minimum of $5,000,000 CDN general liability insurance and,
(b) shall add CECA as an additional insured and,
(c) shall provide CECA with a valid proof of insurance and,
(d) shall be registered with and meet all the requirements of their provincial health and safety organization having jurisdiction.
(e) shall provide their employees with all the current safety training as required by their provincial health and safety regulation having jurisdiction.
5. Mechanic Certification
5.1
Individuals installing, maintaining, repairing or altering private residence elevators shall be properly trained and qualified for the specific devices being installed, maintained, repaired or altered and shall be certified as follows.
(a) Elevator Constructor certified by a regulatory authority (Alberta) or,
(b) Class A certified by a regulatory authority (British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario) or,
(c) Installer Level 1 certified by a regulatory authority (Prince Edward Island) or,
(d) Elevator Mechanic MA certified by a regulatory authority (Quebec) or,
(e) NAEC certified CET™ or,
(f) NAEC certified CAT™ or,
(g) Residential Elevating Device Mechanic certified by a training provider approved by CECA or,
(h) a mechanic in training working under the supervision of a mechanic certified in one the classes listed in 5.1 (a) through (g)
6. Installation Permits
6.1
Before work may begin on an installation of a private residence elevator, an installation permit must be obtained from an Authority Having Jurisdiction of private residence elevators or if there is not an Authority Having Jurisdiction, an installation permit shall be obtained from CECA.
6.2
To obtain an installation permit from CECA, the contractor performing the installation must,
(a) abide by this Standard and CECA’s code of ethical practices and,
(b) complete an application for an installation permit , in full, and submit to CECA and,
(c) provide a copy of site specific as built drawings of the equipment being installed and,
(d) have a current copy on file with CECA of valid proof of insurance listing CECA as an additional insured.
6.3
Upon completion of the requirements in 6.2, CECA will issue an installation permit and a CECA ID Label to the elevating device contractor installing the private residence elevator. The installation permit must be conspicuously posted at or near the controller of the elevating device being installed and must identify the elevator by job number (matching as built drawing) and address. The permit number issued by CECA will then become the permanent elevating device ID number. The CECA ID label, with this unique number, shall be attached to the controller of the elevating device.
7. Acceptance Test
7.1
Upon completion of the installation, and prior to turnover, the elevating device must have an acceptance test completed by a certified elevator mechanic meeting the requirements of 5.1 (a) through (g) with specific equipment experience or, a QEI certified inspector to confirm the elevator meets the requirements of the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 and this Standard. A completed CECA acceptance test document shall be submitted to CECA.
7.2
After receiving a completed CECA acceptance test document, the status for the elevator will be updated by CECA to confirm the documentation procedures in section 6 and 7 of this Standard have been followed. A database will be kept by CECA which will document the current status of any device registered with CECA and will contain all documentation submitted to CECA.
8. Owner Requirements
8.1
The Owner of an elevating device installed in a private residence shall ensure the safety of their elevating device by adhering to the requirements of this Standard and shall,
(a) complete a CECA approved online training course for the safe operation of elevating devices in private residences and,
(b) ensure the safe operation of their elevating device at all times and,
(c) ensure all other family members, guests or visitors have been instructed on how to use the elevating device safely, and
(d) have written emergency procedures in place in the event of an entrapment or emergency evacuation, incident or accident which shall be conspicuously posted at or near the controller, and
(e) have liability insurance of a minimum of $2,000,000.00 and,
(f) have an annual maintenance contract in place, performed by qualified contractor meeting the requirements of section 4 and 5 of this standard and,
(g) report any operational issues, as soon as reasonably practical, to the contractor maintaining the elevating device and,
(h) ensure that an elevating device that is experiencing an operational issue is not used by any family member or visitor until it has been inspected and any required adjustments or repairs haven been completed by the contractor maintaining the elevating device and,
(i) ensure that any manufacturer’s warranty is not voided or the safety of the elevator is not compromised by ensuring no unqualified persons work on or make and changes to the elevating device or in the hoistway at any time and,
(j) retain a logbook documenting any and all work performed on the elevating device, with a minimum of 5 years history and,
(k) ensure that the logbook documents maintenance, testing or inspections performed and any work performed to correct any operational issues reported by the owner to the maintaining contractor.
9. Continuing Education of Elevator Mechanics.
Certified private residence elevator mechanics as identified in 5.1 (a) to (g) installing, maintaining, repairing or testing private residence elevators shall maintain a minimum of 8 hours of documented continuing education specific to their scope of work per calendar year or the minimum level of documented continuing education requirements of the Authority Having Jurisdiction of their mechanic certification identified in 5.1 (a) to (g), whichever is greater.