TSSA EDM-E cheat sheet

In Ontario, elevating devices are governed by the Technical Standards and Safety Act and Ontario Regulation 209/01 (Elevating Devices); TSSA administers licensing, registration, and inspection under that framework.

Elevating device mechanics and contractors must hold a TSSA licence; contractors must also register each device they install or maintain with TSSA before work or use.

Periodic inspection intervals are risk-based: devices in higher-traffic or public occupancies are inspected more frequently than low-risk units, and the interval is set by the regulation and TSSA direction, not by the owner.

A device may not be placed into service until it passes the required inspection and a valid inspection certificate/record is issued; operating without it is a contravention.

Maintenance must be performed under a maintenance contract by a licensed contractor at the frequency required by regulation (typically monthly for most devices), with records retained and available for inspection.

Incidents (entrapment beyond a set time, unintended car movement, injuries, fires) must be reported to TSSA within the prescribed timeframe, and the device may need to be taken out of service pending investigation.

Alterations and major repairs require submission of drawings/specifications and approval before work begins; minor maintenance does not, but must still comply with the applicable CSA B44 edition.

The applicable technical standard is CSA B44 (Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators); the edition referenced in regulation applies, and newer editions apply to alterations as specified.

Owners are responsible for ensuring compliance, keeping devices in safe condition, and notifying TSSA of ownership changes, device removal, or discontinuation of maintenance.

Traction machines rely on friction between hoist ropes and the sheave; the traction ratio depends on rope groove profile (U-groove, V-groove, undercut) and the arc of contact, so worn grooves reduce capacity.

Suspension ratio (1:1, 2:1) sets the relationship between car speed and rope speed: in 2:1 roping, rope travel and load are doubled relative to car travel, allowing smaller machines and lower rope speeds.

Counterweight equals car weight plus approximately 40-50% of rated load, balancing the system so the machine handles roughly the unbalanced load rather than full capacity.

Safety gear (instantaneous, or progressive for higher speeds) grips the guide rails on overspeed; a governor tripping speed is set above rated speed per CSA B44 and must be tested periodically.

Buffers absorb kinetic energy at the pit: spring buffers for low speeds, oil buffers above the speed threshold in CSA B44; buffer stroke and oil level must be maintained.

Escalator drive: motor drives the main drive sprocket through a gearbox and brake; the step band is driven by a step chain with a tension carriage, and the handrail is driven by a separate handrail drive from the same shaft.

Escalator safety devices include comb-plate switches, handrail entry guards, skirt-panel switches, step sag/deviation switches, broken drive-chain and broken step-chain switches, and the non-reversal device.

Door operators and interlocks are mechanical/electrical pairs: the car door operator drives the door, while the interlock mechanically and electrically confirms the door is closed and locked before the car can move.

Guide rails, roller guides, and car sling alignment control ride quality; rail alignment, guide shoe wear, and rope tension equalization are common causes of vibration and noise.

The controller is the logic hub: it processes hall calls, car calls, door status, and safety-chain status, then commands the drive to run or stop; modern units use microprocessor or PLC-based control.

The safety chain is a series circuit of normally closed switches (governor, buffers, pit switch, stop switches, door interlocks, limit switches); opening any one drops power to the machine brake and drive.

Door interlocks must be positively opened by a mechanical linkage and must not be bypassed; the car cannot start unless every hoistway door is closed and locked.

Variable-voltage variable-frequency (VVVF) drives control motor speed and torque; the drive receives speed feedback from an encoder and regulates acceleration, deceleration, and leveling.

Regenerative drives return energy to the building or a resistor bank during overhaul; braking resistors dissipate excess energy and must be ventilated and kept clear.

Emergency operation: machine-room and car-top inspection controls run the car at reduced speed, and the emergency brake (or manual lowering) is used for rescue; the recall operation for firefighters follows the code sequence.

Electrical protection includes mainline disconnect, branch circuit breakers, ground-fault protection where required, and proper bonding of the controller, machine, and rails.

Leveling accuracy depends on the position sensor (encoder, vane, or switch arrangement) and the drive's closed-loop control; drift or mis-leveling often traces to sensor alignment or brake slip.

Lockout/tagout before entering the pit, machine room, or car top: isolate the mainline disconnect, verify zero energy, and apply personal locks; never rely on another person's lock.

Car-top inspection runs require the inspection switch in the inspection position, the car-top stop switch functional, and the car moving at reduced speed under the mechanic's control.

Pit entry requires the pit switch, adequate lighting, and a clear escape path; the pit ladder and stop switch must be checked before descending.

Monthly maintenance tasks typically include checking the safety chain, door operation and interlocks, brake adjustment, rope condition, governor, buffers, and lubrication per the manufacturer's schedule.

Annual and five-year tests include governor tripping speed, safety gear test, buffer test, and rated-load/overload checks as specified by CSA B44; results must be recorded.

Rope inspection: look for broken wires, wear, corrosion, and elongation; replacement criteria are based on the number of broken wires in a lay length and diameter reduction per CSA B44.

Brake maintenance: check lining wear, drum condition, spring tension, and stopping distance; a dragging brake causes overheating and a weak brake causes drift or unintended movement.

Escalator inspection includes step and comb-plate condition, handrail speed and tension, skirt-panel clearance, and the function of all safety switches; steps with missing teeth must be replaced.

Incident and near-miss reporting, plus a written maintenance record, supports regulatory compliance and helps identify recurring faults before they become failures.