The Elevator Door Lock Monitoring Code

Everything You Need to Know About the Door Lock Monitoring Code

A myriad of city codes can boggle the mind of responsible NYC building and property owners maintaining safe building operations. According to the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), there are mechanical codes, electrical codes, housing maintenance codes, plumbing codes, fire codes, energy codes, and fuel-gas codes to consider every day. Elevators are not exempt from such DOB compliance codes. As of January 1, 2020, all NYC building elevators needed to comply with the DOB elevator door lock monitoring code.

Champion Elevator, with OWNER, Donald Gelestino, has 34+ years of expertise servicing building elevators in NYC, its five boroughs, Long Island, and Connecticut, feel that it’s our responsibility to bring clarity to the recent elevator code regulation.

Elevator door lock monitoring is a safety feature that prevents the elevator from moving when the elevator doors do not close properly.

The specific details of the regulations of elevator lock monitoring

• The official code number, ASME A17.3, is in accord with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) recommendations of 2002.
• NYC fire officials added an appendix to the code to allow for fire service bypass of the locking mechanism to alleviate firefighting concerns.
• Elevator monitoring locks should be a part of all automatic passenger and freight elevators as of January 1, 2020.
• Automatic elevators installed before 2009 will most likely require an update to a monitor lock system. Any lifts installed after 2009 will usually have a monitoring system that stops the elevator when door contacts are open.
• Elevators systems installed before 1996 will definitely require updating to be in compliance with the 2020 door lock monitoring code.
• Changes made to elevators to meet the monitoring lock code will require a permit from the NYC DOB.
• Building owners or managers should also keep in mind that in addition to the 
January 1, 202O elevator upgrade, there will be an update to the code requiring compliance by January 2027. The update requires protection against unintentional car movement (UCM) and ascending car over-speed (ACO) motion by converting to a dual-plunger brake assembly or an emergency braking system.

The consequences of non-compliance to the new code regulations include taking the elevator out of service, substantial fines, canceled insurance coverage for the building, and inconvenience to the building tenants that may bring about their decision to find a new base of operation for their business.

To avoid the costly consequences of elevator violations of any type, contact the expert technicians of Champion Elevator for elevator inspections and elevator modernization.

Elevator Preventative Maintenance

How Preventative Maintenance Can Help Keep Your Elevator Costs Low

Property taxes, liability insurance, a mortgage — Oh My! These are the three fixed costs of owning or managing an office building, condo, or apartment building. There are also the daily, weekly, monthly, and annual operating expenses included in every business budget, such as snow removal, landscaping, trash removal, and recycling. Indeed, owning or managing a commercial building takes a keen sense for business budgeting, which falls under the general category of property management.

Stay on Top of Cleaning and Disinfecting Elevators

Why Disinfecting Elevators is Essential During COVID-19

Disinfecting Elevators During COVID-19

The quandary of building owners and managers during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is how to keep their elevators running safely while adhering to state orders to maintain ‘social distance’ within the typically tight confines of an elevator cabin. Elevator passengers, also, ponder how to safely ride the vertical transportation devices, shoulder-to-shoulder with neighbors, and work colleagues.

Commercial Elevator Maintenance

Is It Time to Conduct Some Routine Elevator Maintenance?

In our January blog, 4 Best Practices For Winterizing Elevators, we described the best practices for sustaining the proper functioning of an elevator in winter.

Elevator Etiquette 101

Elevator Etiquette: Playing the Right Elevator Music

As an elevator transports riders’ up and down to their daily destinations, the passengers are often unaware the reason for their calm and contented demeanor has as much to do with the soothing sounds of the elevator etiquette-approved piped-in music, commonly referred to as elevator ‘muzak.’

The Benefits Of Elevator Modernization

3 Reasons You Should Consider Elevator Modernization

In a previous blog, A Glimpse At The Oldest Operating Elevators, we gave examples of the exquisite and elaborate elevator design still in operation since their installation in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Keeping these historic elevators functioning does as much to inspire and raise the conscience of life in early America, as they physically raise those who ride them up to higher floors. Indeed, these mechanical marvels are representative of the upward mobility of the American culture, where freedom reigns, to dream, create, and innovate.

Freight Elevator Vs. Service Elevator

What’s The Difference: Freight Elevator Vs. Service Elevator

A common phrase to life amidst high-rise office and condo dwellers is ‘hold that elevator!’ However, before stepping inside that vertical transportation device, it is a good idea to make sure the elevator cabin you are rushing into is a passenger elevator. You heard correctly. An elevator is not always designed to carry passengers. There are elevators specifically designed to transport material goods and referred to as freight elevators.

Elevator Load Testing 101

What Is an Elevator Load Test & Does Your Building Need It?

For the majority of Americans, the daily elevator ride is a simple matter of pushing a button and waiting until the elevator brings you to your desired floor. Consequently, for those in the elevator industry, there’s a little more to it.

Employee Newsletter: Jan-March 2020

Employee Newsletter: Quarterly Update

Jan-March 2020

COVID-19 Employee Safety Plan

10 Employee Safety Items to be Aware of During Covid-19

Dear Fellow Elevator Personnel,

The recent Covid-19 pandemic has created a multitude of uncertainty, confusion, and stress for Elevator Personnel. Often overlooked in the eye of the public, you too are essential and in many cases first responders or, even more important, “preventive first responders”. Maintenance personnel must visit multiple elevators and encounter many people just to do a proactive elevator maintenance so that equipment always operates at optimum performance. This is not easy in normal conditions and especially challenging in these times. We want to share some insights and opinions that you should consider regarding your personal safety and protection during the COVID-19 active pandemic.