TSSA EDM-B Exam key terms

Any machine or apparatus that carries people or freight vertically between levels, including elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, and similar equipment regulated under provincial elevating device legislation.

The broader category of equipment that moves people or materials along a path, such as escalators, moving walks, and passenger conveyors; often grouped with elevating devices under one regulatory framework.

A guided car or platform that moves vertically within a hoistway to transport passengers or freight between floors, driven by traction, hydraulic, or other lifting means.

The vertical shaft or enclosure through which an elevator car and its counterweight travel, bounded by walls, guide rails, and pit and overhead structures.

The portion of the hoistway below the lowest landing sill, containing buffers, guide rail supports, and equipment that must remain accessible for inspection and maintenance.

An elevator whose car is suspended by ropes or belts passing over a driving sheave, using friction between the sheave and suspension means to raise and lower the car, usually with a counterweight.

An elevator lifted by a plunger driven by pressurized hydraulic fluid, typically used for low-rise applications and characterized by a power unit, cylinder, and oil supply.

A guided mass connected to the elevator car by suspension ropes or belts that balances part of the car load and reduces the power required from the driving machine.

A speed-sensing safety device that detects an overspeed condition and trips the safety mechanism, gripping the governor rope to stop the car or counterweight.

A mechanical device mounted on the car or counterweight that grips the guide rails to stop and hold the moving unit when activated by the governor or another protective means.

A rigid vertical member fixed in the hoistway that constrains the car and counterweight to a defined path and provides the surface that safety devices grip during an emergency stop.

A sliding or roller assembly attached to the car or counterweight that engages the guide rail to keep travel aligned and reduce lateral movement.

A shock-absorbing device in the pit that cushions the car or counterweight if it travels below the normal stopping point, limiting deceleration and damage.

A condition in which the car or counterweight travels faster than the designed rated speed, detected by the governor and corrected by the safety mechanism or other protective devices.

The speed at which the elevator is designed to operate under normal conditions, stated by the manufacturer and used as the reference for governor and safety settings.

A power-driven, continuous stairway with moving steps and moving handrails that carries passengers between levels in a single direction of travel.

A power-driven, continuous belt or pallet surface that carries passengers horizontally or on a slight incline, often called a travelator or passenger conveyor.

The toothed plate at the landing end of an escalator or moving walk where steps or pallets enter the floor, designed to mesh with step cleats and reduce entrapment risk.

The vertical side panel beside escalator steps or moving walk pallets that guides passengers and separates the moving treadway from the truss structure.

A small, low-capacity elevator designed to carry freight, supplies, or dishes between floors, typically without passengers and with limited car dimensions and travel.

An elevator designed primarily to carry goods and materials, often with reinforced flooring, wider doors, and rated loading intended for heavy or bulky cargo.

A person who holds a provincial licence authorizing work on elevating devices, having met training, examination, and experience requirements set by the regulator.

A document issued by the authority or its delegate confirming that an elevating device has been inspected and meets applicable safety requirements, permitting its continued operation.

A recurring examination of an elevating device performed at intervals set by regulation or the regulator to verify continued compliance and safe operating condition.

A test applying a specified load to an elevating device to verify structural, mechanical, and safety performance, often required before putting new or altered equipment into service.

The maximum mass or number of passengers an elevating device is designed and certified to carry safely, posted in the car and used to set capacity limits.

A sign in the elevator car or at the landing stating the rated load, maximum number of passengers, and sometimes the manufacturer and device identification.

A safety device that prevents the car from moving unless all hoistway and car doors are closed and locked, and prevents doors from opening while the car is in motion.

The mechanism that opens and closes the car and hoistway doors, coordinated with the interlock system so movement cannot occur unless doors are secured.

A door or gate at a landing that closes the hoistway opening and is fitted with an interlock to prevent opening unless the car is present and stopped.

The floor level at which an elevating device stops to allow passengers or goods to enter or leave, including the sill, door, and adjacent floor area.

The process by which an elevator car aligns its floor with the landing floor within an acceptable tolerance when stopping, to allow safe entry and exit.

A dedicated space housing the driving machine, controller, and related equipment for an elevator, subject to access, ventilation, and fire separation requirements.

The electrical and electronic assembly that governs the operation of an elevating device, including starting, stopping, door operation, and safety circuit monitoring.

A series of series-connected switches and contacts, including interlocks, limits, and stop switches, that must remain closed for the elevator to run and that open to stop the car.

A switch that detects the position or travel limit of a moving part, such as the car or counterweight, and stops or prevents movement beyond a safe point.

The vertical distance between the top of the car or counterweight and the hoistway ceiling, maintained to protect against impact during normal and emergency travel.

A fixed ladder or set of steps in the pit that provides safe access for maintenance and inspection personnel to enter and leave the pit area.

A guide assembly using rollers instead of sliding shoes to engage the guide rail, reducing friction and wear, especially on high-speed elevators.

The hydraulic cylinder and plunger assembly of a hydraulic elevator that raises and lowers the car by extending or retracting under fluid pressure.