TSSA EDM-B Exam cheat sheet

Elevating Devices - TSSA EDM-B Code, Safety & Inspection Essentials

• Ontario governing law: the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, plus O. Reg. 209/01 (Elevating Devices). The adopted technical code is ASME A17.1/CSA B44, as amended by TSSA's adopted amendments; the exam tests the edition named in the current TSSA fee/regulation schedule, so confirm the edition before writing.

• Licensing tiers under O. Reg. 209/01: an Elevating Devices Mechanic (EDM) licence permits installation, alteration, maintenance and repair of elevating devices under the scope of the class; an EDM-B (Building) licence is the restricted class tied to a specific building/owner, limited to the maintenance and repair duties defined for that class. Work outside the licence class requires the appropriate licensed contractor/mechanic.

• Owner/contractor duties: the owner must keep the device under a maintenance contract with a licensed contractor, ensure periodic inspections and tests are performed, keep the log book on site, and report incidents/accidents to TSSA. A device must be taken out of service when it is unsafe.

• Periodic inspection categories under A17.1/CSA B44: Category 1 (routine, frequent - typically annual for most devices), Category 3 (periodic, longer interval), Category 5 (five-year full-load/safety test), and Category 1 tests for electric elevators include rated-load and no-load checks per the code table. Know which test belongs to which category.

• Key clearances and dimensions (A17.1/B44): minimum overhead clearance in the hoistway for electric elevators is measured from the top car/ counterweight to the overhead structure and must accommodate runby and buffer stroke; pit depth must accommodate buffer stroke, runby, and a minimum refuge space. Counterweight runby and car runby have specified minimums (commonly 3 in / 75 mm for oil buffers is not correct - verify the code table for the specific buffer type before answering).

• Safety devices: the safety (car safety) is a mechanical device that grips the guide rails on overspeed; it is tripped by the governor at the governor trip speed. The governor setting is a percentage above rated speed per code (commonly 115% for the electrical overspeed switch and higher for mechanical tripping - confirm the table). Final limit switches, buffers (oil vs. spring), and the slack-rope/chain switch are separate protective devices.

• Suspension: wire-rope suspension requires a minimum number of ropes (typically 3 for traction elevators, 2 for some drum/other arrangements) and a minimum safety factor (often 12 for traction passenger elevators under A17.1). Rope replacement criteria include broken wires per lay, diameter reduction, and corrosion - follow the code's rope retirement table, not opinion.

• Door interlocks and operating devices: the car door and hoistway door must be closed and locked before the car can move; the interlock must prevent operation with the door unlocked. Door operator, door protective device (e.g., light curtain/mechanical safety edge), and the door close force limits are code-defined. Emergency unlocking (hoistway door) is a keyed operation from the landing.

• Electrical: the main line disconnect must be lockable and located where specified; the machine-room/control-room lighting and receptacle requirements are code items. Grounding and bonding, motor branch-circuit protection, and the requirement that the disconnecting means be capable of being locked in the open position are exam-relevant.

• Incident/accident reporting: serious incidents (injury, entrapment beyond a threshold, runaway, uncontrolled movement) must be reported to TSSA; the device may need to be taken out of service pending investigation. The log book must record maintenance, repairs, tests and inspections, and is subject to TSSA review.

• Inspection decision rules: an inspector may issue an order to comply, a notice of violation, or take a device out of service. A device found unsafe is shut down until corrected and re-inspected. The EDM-B must know when to stop work and escalate to the contractor/owner and TSSA rather than operate an unsafe device.