MN Elevator Mechanic key terms

The joint U.S.-Canadian Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. It sets design, construction, installation, and acceptance-test requirements for new equipment and is the base standard Minnesota adopts by reference.

The Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators. It lists retroactive minimum requirements for older equipment that was installed before current A17.1 rules applied, covering items such as car lighting, door protection, and pit access.

The Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks. It describes inspection procedures and frequencies used by inspectors, including what to check and how to document findings, without itself being an installation code.

The Guide for Emergency Personnel. It explains safe procedures for firefighters and rescue crews to remove passengers from stalled cars and to operate elevators during emergencies, including key use and hoistway entry cautions.

The standard for elevator and escalator electrical equipment. It covers control panels, disconnects, wiring methods, and component ratings, and is commonly cited when evaluating listed controllers and their enclosures.

The standard for suspension means, including wire rope, coated steel belt, and other traction members. It specifies construction, traction, and inspection criteria for the ropes or belts that support the car and counterweight.

The Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts. It governs inclined and vertical wheelchair lifts, their runways, enclosures, and operating devices, and is separate from the elevator code.

The National Electrical Code, adopted in Minnesota with amendments. Elevator installers use it for branch-circuit sizing, disconnecting means, grounding, and wiring methods in machine rooms, pits, and hoistways.

The witnessed test performed on newly installed or altered equipment before it is placed in service. It verifies safety devices, rated load performance, and code compliance, and results are recorded on approved forms.

A recurring inspection required by state rule to confirm an elevator remains safe between installations. It covers safety devices, door operation, machine-room condition, and record keeping, and must be done by a licensed inspector.

A periodic safety test performed at required intervals that checks governors, safeties, buffers, and other protective devices under specified conditions. It is less exhaustive than a Category 5 test and is documented for the inspector.

A full-load, full-speed test of the elevator's safety devices, including governor tripping and car safety application, required at longer intervals or after certain alterations. It places higher stress on equipment than routine testing.

The maximum weight the elevator is designed to carry, posted in the car and used to set capacity, counterweight balance, and test loads. Tests and inspections are performed at rated load or specified fractions of it.

An overspeed detection device that trips a switch to remove power and then mechanically engages the car safety when the car exceeds a set speed. It is tested by tripping at the specified speed during periodic testing.

A mechanical device mounted under the car that grips the guide rails to stop and hold the car if it overspeeds or if the suspension means fails. It is applied by the governor or by a broken-rope mechanism.

A small-diameter rope that connects the governor sheave to the car safety operating mechanism and travels with the car. It must be inspected for wear and replaced if broken strands or stretch exceed code limits.

Vertical steel members fixed to the hoistway that keep the car and counterweight aligned and provide the surface the safeties grip. Their alignment, plumb, and bracket condition affect ride quality and safety operation.

A weighted frame riding on its own guide rails and connected to the car by hoist ropes, balancing most of the car weight so the machine handles mainly the load. It has its own safeties on some designs.

A roped or belted elevator driven by friction between the hoist ropes and a grooved or flat machine sheave. It requires a counterweight and typically serves medium and high rises at higher speeds.

An elevator lifted by a plunger pushed by pressurized oil from a power unit. It may be direct-acting or roped, needs no counterweight, and is common in low-rise buildings at moderate speeds.

The cylindrical ram that moves in the cylinder and transmits hydraulic force to the car, either directly or through roping. Its alignment, packing, and stopping position are checked for proper travel and leakage.

The buried or exposed tube that contains the plunger and hydraulic fluid. Its material, corrosion protection, and casing are critical because a failed cylinder can leak oil and undermine the elevator's support.

The hydraulic pump, motor, tank, valves, and controls that pressurize oil to raise the elevator. Valve adjustment controls up and down speeds, and the unit's condition is checked during maintenance and inspection.

The cabinet of relays, contactors, or solid-state logic that governs starting, stopping, leveling, door operation, and safety-circuit response. It is the central point for troubleshooting and for verifying code-compliant operation.

A series electrical path through switches on doors, gates, safeties, and stop buttons that must be closed for the elevator to run. Opening any switch removes power and stops or prevents motion.

A device that prevents the car from moving unless every hoistway door is closed and locked, and prevents a door from opening unless the car is at that landing. It is a primary passenger-protection feature.

The motor-driven mechanism on the car that opens and closes the car door and, through a clutch, the hoistway door at the landing. Its speed, force, and reopening behavior are checked against code limits.

A detector such as a light curtain, infrared beam, or mechanical safety edge that stops or reverses door closing when a passenger or object is present. It reduces striking injuries and must be functional.

The switch or circuit breaker that removes all power from the elevator controller and machine. It must be lockable, properly labeled, and located where required so mechanics can safely de-energize equipment.

The procedure of isolating energy sources, applying locks and tags, and verifying zero energy before work begins. It protects mechanics from unexpected startup or release of stored hydraulic or electrical energy.

The required means of entering the hoistway pit, including a ladder or stair, a light, a pit stop switch, and clear space. Safe access rules govern how mechanics enter and work below the car.

A set of controls on top of the car that lets a mechanic run the elevator at reduced speed while performing inspection or maintenance. It includes an emergency stop and must be functional before car-top work.

The automatic or keyed emergency mode that returns elevators to a designated landing, opens doors, and removes them from normal service during a fire alarm. It is required by code and tested periodically.

The firefighter service mode in which trained personnel use a key inside the car to control door operation and travel. It overrides normal call buttons and is tested during acceptance and periodic inspections.

A power-driven, continuously moving stairway with steps on an endless tread chain, used to carry passengers between floors. Its comb plates, handrails, skirts, and step clearance are key inspection points.

A power-driven, continuous belt or pallet surface that moves passengers horizontally or on a slight incline. Code requirements address handrails, clearances, and emergency stopping similar to escalators.

The toothed plate at each end of an escalator where the steps disappear into the floor. Its teeth mesh with step cleats, and missing teeth or loose mounting are common inspection findings and trip hazards.

A wheelchair lift that travels vertically between landings, usually a short distance, and is governed by ASME A18.1 rather than the elevator code. It requires a runway enclosure, gates, and operating controls.

A lift that carries a seated passenger along a stairway on a rail, typically in a residence or small building. ASME A18.1 sets requirements for its rail, chair, and safety devices.

The credential issued by the state that authorizes a person to perform elevator work. Minnesota law distinguishes mechanic, constructor, and inspector licenses and requires continuing education and renewal.

The state laws and administrative rules that adopt elevator codes, set licensing and inspection requirements, and define enforcement. They identify who may work on equipment and what inspections are required.