Most code arguments in a service van are not about the requirement – they are about which edition and which jurisdiction applies. Get that straight first and the requirement usually answers itself.
The two frameworks
| North America | Europe / much of the world | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary standard | ASME A17.1 / CSA B44 (Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators) | EN 81 series (81-20 for construction and installation, 81-50 for design and tests) |
| Maintenance / inspection | A17.2 / A17.3 for existing installations, local elevator regulations | EN 13015 for maintenance, national implementation of EN 81-80 for existing units |
| Who enforces | State, provincial or municipal authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) | National authority, notified bodies for the conformity process |
The question that decides the answer
- When was the unit installed or last altered? An existing installation is generally governed by the code in force at installation, plus the existing-installation rules of the jurisdiction.
- What does the AHJ adopt? Many jurisdictions adopt a specific edition with local amendments. The adopted edition – not the newest published one – is the requirement.
- Is this new work, an alteration, or maintenance? New and altered work typically must meet the current adopted edition; routine maintenance keeps the unit compliant with its original basis.
Areas where the codes converge in intent
- Overspeed protection with a governor or equivalent, plus safeties on the car.
- Door interlocks that prevent motion with an entrance open, and reopening protection at the entrance.
- Machine room or machinery space access, guarding of moving parts, and a disconnecting means.
- Emergency communication from the car to a location where a response can be initiated.
- Maintenance, examination and testing duties recorded and available.
Practical rule: when a thread asks “does the code require X”, the useful first answers are the jurisdiction, the installation year and whether the work is an alteration. Without those three, any answer is a guess about which edition is being read.
Documentation that answers code questions quickly
- The unit’s original approval or certificate, showing the edition in force.
- Any alteration permits with the edition applied to each change.
- The latest inspection report and any outstanding violations.
- Maintenance records showing test dates and results.
Forum threads on specific clauses are collected under code questions. Related library entries: safety chain and governor and acceptance and periodic tests.