OH Elevator Mechanic cheat sheet

ASME A17.1/CSA B44 is the model safety code for elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, and moving walks; ASME A17.3 governs existing installations, and A17.2 covers inspection procedures.

Ohio adopts the A17.1 elevator code with amendments in Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 4101:5; the Ohio Board of Building Standards administers elevator rules and certifications.

A17.1 requires a minimum overhead clearance and pit depth sized by car speed and counterweight runby; verify runby, buffer stroke, and refuge space before accepting an installation.

Escalator requirements include 30-degree maximum incline, 40-inch nominal step width, 24-inch minimum and 40-inch maximum rise per unit unless a code exception applies, and balustrade height of at least 36 inches.

Machine-room and machinery-space access, lighting (minimum 19 foot-candles at working surfaces), guarding, and a locked disconnect within sight of the controller are code-mandated.

Firefighters' emergency operation Phase I (recall) and Phase II (in-car operation) is required for most passenger elevators and must be tested per A17.1 acceptance criteria.

Door closing force on passenger elevators may not exceed 30 lbf kinetic and 30 lbf static measured per A17.1, with reopening devices required on car and hoistway doors.

Code upgrades for existing elevators are triggered by A17.3 when alterations exceed defined thresholds; major alterations require a permit and acceptance inspection.

Traction elevator roping: 1:1 roping gives car speed equal to rope speed; 2:1 roping doubles car travel per unit of rope travel, so the machine sheave runs at twice car speed.

Counterweight balance is typically 40-50 percent of rated load; counterweight weight equals car weight plus approximately 45 percent of capacity.

Governor tripping speed is set per A17.1 (commonly 115 percent of rated speed for car safeties) and must be verified with a tachometer during acceptance testing.

Guide rail alignment tolerances, rail bracket spacing, and plumb are set by A17.1 tables; rail gauge and fishplate torque must be recorded at installation.

Hydraulic elevator: relief valve set at 150 percent of working pressure (not to exceed 2.5 times working pressure), and the plunger, cylinder, and piping must be pressure tested before acceptance.

Electrical: feeder and branch-circuit conductor sizing, motor disconnects, controller grounding, and conduit fill follow NFPA 70 (NEC) Article 620 and Article 430.

Traveling cable must be supported and have sufficient length for full car travel plus an additional loop; strain relief and conductor count match car and hall fixtures.

Escalator drive: main drive chain tension, step chain sag, and handrail speed (within 2 percent of step speed) are checked at installation and after any drive work.

A17.1 Category 1 (annual) and Category 5 (five-year) tests are the standard periodic test regime; Category 5 includes rated-load and safety tests that annual testing does not cover.

Annual test items include car and counterweight safeties (no load), governor, oil buffers, terminal stopping devices, emergency brakes, and door reopening devices.

Five-year test adds full-load safety test, rated-load brake test, and relief valve test on hydraulic units; results must be recorded and retained.

Periodic inspection intervals in Ohio are set by rule; a certificate of operation must be posted in the car and renewed on schedule.

Maintenance records must document lubrication, adjustment, and repair of machine, ropes, sheaves, governor, safeties, buffers, and door operators.

Rope inspection: count broken wires over a lay length, check for corrosion, kinks, and reduction in diameter; retirement criteria follow A17.1 tables.

Escalator maintenance includes step chain elongation measurement, handrail tension and speed, skirt and comb plate clearance, and brake stopping distance.

A test tag or log entry must record date, tester, test performed, and results; failed items require correction before the unit returns to service.

Lockout/tagout per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 applies to elevator and escalator work; verify zero energy at the controller and at the machine before working on moving parts.

Before entering a pit or hoistway, place the car on inspection operation, open the pit stop switch, and use the pit ladder and required lighting.

Ohio requires elevator contractor and mechanic licensure through the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance; work must be performed under a licensed contractor.

Permits are required for new installations and alterations; the state or a certified local authority performs plan review and acceptance inspection.

Personal protective equipment: hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and fall protection when working at heights; hoistway work requires a tie-off point or temporary guard.

Never ride on top of a car unless the car-top operating device is in use and the car is on inspection speed; keep clear of the counterweight path.

Report accidents and serious injuries to the authority having jurisdiction; A17.1 requires investigation and reporting of certain incidents.

Electrical safe work practices follow NFPA 70E: arc-flash boundary, energized work permit, and voltage-rated gloves for live troubleshooting.