The new 2011 Edition of ASME A17.3, “Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators (Includes Requirements for Electric and Hydraulic Elevators and Escalators),” has just been released. The new 116 page code establishes minimum requirements to provide a reasonable degree of safety for the general public. It is intended for anyone engaged in the safety of elevators, escalators and related conveyances.
A17.3 is intended to serve as the basis for state and local jurisdictional authorities in adopting retroactive requirements for existing elevators and escalators to enhance the safety of the general public. It is also intended as a standard reference of safety requirements for the guidance of architects, engineers, insurance companies, manufacturers, and contractors, and as a standard of safety practices for building owners and managers of structures where existing elevator equipment covered in the scope of the Code is used.
ASME A17.3 guides all parties engaged in the safe installation, inspection, testing, operation, and/or insurance of existing elevators and escalators. As an alternative standard to A17.1, it also allows for more flexibility in problem-solving.
This is the fourth A17 standard released in recent months. The others are ASME A17.1, “Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators,” ASME A17.2, “Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks,” and ASME A17.5, “Elevator and Escalator Electrical Equipment.” The standards should be stable until the next revision cycle in about 2014.
All ASME Standards, including obsolete editions, can be purchased from Document Center Inc. through our website, www.document-center.com. Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We’re happy to assist you with any standards questions you may have.
