GA Elevator Mechanic cheat sheet
GA Elevator Mechanic · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Elevator and Escalator Code Compliance and Inspection
ASME A17.1/CSA B44 is the model safety code for elevators and escalators; ASME A17.2 covers inspection, testing, and maintenance frequency and procedures, and ASME A17.3 governs existing installations.
Georgia adopts A17.1 through Rules of the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner, Elevator Rules and Regulations, Chapter 120-3-13; the adopted edition in force governs plan review and acceptance testing.
Periodic inspection categories under A17.2: escalators and moving walks are typically inspected every 6 months; elevators by type (electric traction, hydraulic, etc.) carry defined intervals, and Georgia's rules set the actual required frequency.
A Category 1 test is performed with the car empty at rated speed; a Category 5 test is performed with rated load (or specified load) and includes the tripping of the safety and the buffer test where applicable.
Acceptance tests on new installations include: safety gear test and governor tripping speed, buffer test, oil buffer verification, terminal stopping devices, emergency brake, and rated-load speed and current checks.
Governor tripping speed for a car safety must fall within the range specified in A17.1 for the rated speed; the safety must stop and hold the car with rated load without permanent deformation of guide rails.
Escalator safety devices that must be tested: comb plate switches, skirt guard (side) switches, handrail entry switches, step/skirt clearance and step sag devices, missing-step device, and the emergency stop button.
Clearances under A17.1: minimum refuge (runby) space in the pit, top-of-car clearance to overhead, and minimum overhead clearance for escalators are code-defined dimensions that must be verified at inspection.
Inspection findings are documented and corrected within the timeframe set by the authority having jurisdiction; failure to correct can lead to suspension of the operating certificate.
Elevator and Escalator Installation and Maintenance Practice
Plumb the guide rails to the code-specified tolerance: rail alignment (plumb) is typically no more than 0.5 mm per 5 m (about 1/16 in. per 15 ft) for each rail, and rail-to-rail twist is limited; verify against the adopted code edition.
Guide rail bracket spacing depends on rail size and load; typical maximum spacing is about 4.9 m (16 ft) for standard rails, with closer spacing where the code or rail manufacturer requires.
Machine room and overhead requirements: adequate ventilation, machine room temperature limits, a lockable door opening outward, and working space for maintenance and testing.
Pit requirements: a ladder or stairway for pit access, a pit light and GFCI receptacle, a sump or drain where required, and a stop switch accessible at the pit entrance.
Hydraulic elevator maintenance: check oil level and condition, valve operation, jack packing for leaks, and the pressure relief valve setting; the relief valve must be set to bypass at a pressure below the system's design limit.
Traction elevator maintenance: inspect ropes for broken wires, wear, and corrosion per the retirement criteria; check sheave wear, rope equalization, brake lining wear, and brake setting/clearance.
Escalator maintenance: check step chain tension and elongation, handrail speed synchronization, comb segment condition, and the step-to-skirt clearance, and verify the step level (sag) at the landing.
Before returning an elevator to service after maintenance, verify: door operation, leveling accuracy at each landing, terminal limits, and that all safety switches are functional.
Electrical and Mechanical Controls and Safety Devices
A car safety gear is tripped by the governor when the car overspeeds in the down direction (for most traction elevators); the safety is mechanically applied and must stop and hold the car.
The governor tripping speed for a car safety is set relative to rated speed; for typical traction elevators it is roughly 115% of rated speed, with the exact value set by A17.1.
Final and normal terminal stopping devices: normal limits slow/stop the car at the terminal landing, final limits are a backup, and the final limit switch must open the power circuit to prevent overtravel.
Door interlocks: the car cannot move unless all hoistway doors and the car door are closed and locked; the interlock must be electrically monitored so a car cannot start with a door unlocked.
The emergency stop switch (where provided) and the machine room disconnect: the main line disconnect must be lockable, and the disconnect must remove power from the driving machine and controller.
Hydraulic elevator safety: a pressure relief valve, a check valve, a rupture (pipe break) valve, and a low-oil/oil-temperature protection device; the rupture valve limits oil flow on a pipe failure.
Escalator electrical safety chain: any opened safety switch (comb, skirt, handrail, step) opens the control circuit and stops the escalator; the escalator must not restart automatically after a safety trip.
Motor overload and phase protection: overload relays protect the driving machine motor, and phase-reversal/phase-failure protection prevents the motor from running in the wrong direction or on a lost phase.
Brake setting: the brake must be capable of holding the car at 125% of rated load (per code requirements for the applicable equipment); verify lining condition and spring setting.
Georgia Licensing Law, Rules, and Safety Fire Regulations
Elevator contractor and mechanic licensing in Georgia is administered through the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner's Office, Elevator Division, under Chapter 120-3-13 of the Georgia Rules and Regulations.
A licensed elevator mechanic must be at least 18 years old, meet experience requirements (typically several years of documented elevator work under a licensed mechanic), and pass the licensing examination.
Work on elevators and escalators must be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed elevator mechanic; an apprentice or helper must work under supervision.
A permit is required before installing or altering an elevator or escalator; plans are reviewed by the Elevator Division, and an inspection/acceptance test is required before the operating certificate is issued.
The operating certificate must be posted in the elevator car or machine room and kept current; operating an elevator without a valid certificate is a violation subject to enforcement action.
The Safety Fire Commissioner may suspend or revoke a license or certificate for violations, and may order an elevator taken out of service when it presents an imminent hazard.
Reportable accidents (injury or fatality) and serious equipment failures must be reported to the Elevator Division, and the equipment may be required to remain out of service pending investigation.
License renewal, continuing education, and fee requirements are set by rule; failure to renew can result in a lapsed license and prohibited practice.
Elevator and Escalator Code Compliance and Inspection
ASME A17.1/CSA B44 is the model safety code for elevators and escalators; ASME A17.2 covers inspection, testing, and maintenance frequency and procedures, and ASME A17.3 governs existing installations.
Georgia adopts A17.1 through Rules of the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner, Elevator Rules and Regulations, Chapter 120-3-13; the adopted edition in force governs plan review and acceptance testing.
Periodic inspection categories under A17.2: escalators and moving walks are typically inspected every 6 months; elevators by type (electric traction, hydraulic, etc.) carry defined intervals, and Georgia's rules set the actual required frequency.
A Category 1 test is performed with the car empty at rated speed; a Category 5 test is performed with rated load (or specified load) and includes the tripping of the safety and the buffer test where applicable.
Acceptance tests on new installations include: safety gear test and governor tripping speed, buffer test, oil buffer verification, terminal stopping devices, emergency brake, and rated-load speed and current checks.
Governor tripping speed for a car safety must fall within the range specified in A17.1 for the rated speed; the safety must stop and hold the car with rated load without permanent deformation of guide rails.
Escalator safety devices that must be tested: comb plate switches, skirt guard (side) switches, handrail entry switches, step/skirt clearance and step sag devices, missing-step device, and the emergency stop button.
Clearances under A17.1: minimum refuge (runby) space in the pit, top-of-car clearance to overhead, and minimum overhead clearance for escalators are code-defined dimensions that must be verified at inspection.
Inspection findings are documented and corrected within the timeframe set by the authority having jurisdiction; failure to correct can lead to suspension of the operating certificate.
Elevator and Escalator Installation and Maintenance Practice
Plumb the guide rails to the code-specified tolerance: rail alignment (plumb) is typically no more than 0.5 mm per 5 m (about 1/16 in. per 15 ft) for each rail, and rail-to-rail twist is limited; verify against the adopted code edition.
Guide rail bracket spacing depends on rail size and load; typical maximum spacing is about 4.9 m (16 ft) for standard rails, with closer spacing where the code or rail manufacturer requires.
Machine room and overhead requirements: adequate ventilation, machine room temperature limits, a lockable door opening outward, and working space for maintenance and testing.
Pit requirements: a ladder or stairway for pit access, a pit light and GFCI receptacle, a sump or drain where required, and a stop switch accessible at the pit entrance.
Hydraulic elevator maintenance: check oil level and condition, valve operation, jack packing for leaks, and the pressure relief valve setting; the relief valve must be set to bypass at a pressure below the system's design limit.
Traction elevator maintenance: inspect ropes for broken wires, wear, and corrosion per the retirement criteria; check sheave wear, rope equalization, brake lining wear, and brake setting/clearance.
Escalator maintenance: check step chain tension and elongation, handrail speed synchronization, comb segment condition, and the step-to-skirt clearance, and verify the step level (sag) at the landing.
Before returning an elevator to service after maintenance, verify: door operation, leveling accuracy at each landing, terminal limits, and that all safety switches are functional.
Electrical and Mechanical Controls and Safety Devices
A car safety gear is tripped by the governor when the car overspeeds in the down direction (for most traction elevators); the safety is mechanically applied and must stop and hold the car.
The governor tripping speed for a car safety is set relative to rated speed; for typical traction elevators it is roughly 115% of rated speed, with the exact value set by A17.1.
Final and normal terminal stopping devices: normal limits slow/stop the car at the terminal landing, final limits are a backup, and the final limit switch must open the power circuit to prevent overtravel.
Door interlocks: the car cannot move unless all hoistway doors and the car door are closed and locked; the interlock must be electrically monitored so a car cannot start with a door unlocked.
The emergency stop switch (where provided) and the machine room disconnect: the main line disconnect must be lockable, and the disconnect must remove power from the driving machine and controller.
Hydraulic elevator safety: a pressure relief valve, a check valve, a rupture (pipe break) valve, and a low-oil/oil-temperature protection device; the rupture valve limits oil flow on a pipe failure.
Escalator electrical safety chain: any opened safety switch (comb, skirt, handrail, step) opens the control circuit and stops the escalator; the escalator must not restart automatically after a safety trip.
Motor overload and phase protection: overload relays protect the driving machine motor, and phase-reversal/phase-failure protection prevents the motor from running in the wrong direction or on a lost phase.
Brake setting: the brake must be capable of holding the car at 125% of rated load (per code requirements for the applicable equipment); verify lining condition and spring setting.
Georgia Licensing Law, Rules, and Safety Fire Regulations
Elevator contractor and mechanic licensing in Georgia is administered through the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner's Office, Elevator Division, under Chapter 120-3-13 of the Georgia Rules and Regulations.
A licensed elevator mechanic must be at least 18 years old, meet experience requirements (typically several years of documented elevator work under a licensed mechanic), and pass the licensing examination.
Work on elevators and escalators must be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed elevator mechanic; an apprentice or helper must work under supervision.
A permit is required before installing or altering an elevator or escalator; plans are reviewed by the Elevator Division, and an inspection/acceptance test is required before the operating certificate is issued.
The operating certificate must be posted in the elevator car or machine room and kept current; operating an elevator without a valid certificate is a violation subject to enforcement action.
The Safety Fire Commissioner may suspend or revoke a license or certificate for violations, and may order an elevator taken out of service when it presents an imminent hazard.
Reportable accidents (injury or fatality) and serious equipment failures must be reported to the Elevator Division, and the equipment may be required to remain out of service pending investigation.
License renewal, continuing education, and fee requirements are set by rule; failure to renew can result in a lapsed license and prohibited practice.