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Looking for information on elevator video communication in regards to the 2018 International Building Code update? Get your info here.

Now let’s get down to the changes– You can find a bulk of the updated language in Section 2.27.1: Car Emergency Signaling Devices.

ASME A17.1/CSA B44 2019, Section 2.27.1: Car Emergency Signaling Devices has been updated to require:

1. Two-way message display in the elevator cab for hearing and/or speech impaired
2. A means for authorized emergency personnel to view video footage of passengers anywhere in the cab
3. A means activated by authorized emergency personnel to change the cab message to indicate help is on-site if over 60 feet of travel

See our Elevator World article on the 2019 ASME elevator code updates. 

What does this mean? The distinction here from codes past is the inclusion of requirements specifying how a person who answers an elevator entrapment call communicates with who is in the elevator. Two-way communication has always been important, but now there is more specific language to help elevator riders get the help they need. The code updates were established as a means of better assisting those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired. However, that’s not to say the updates won’t help with all calls placed from an elevator phone, especially when it comes to every day false alarms.

We’ve all been there when the elevator help phone button is pushed accidentally, and the passengers pretend it didn’t happen or, maybe just walk out of the elevator. What does a monitoring station do if it doesn’t get an answer? Monitoring stations receive up to 1,000 false calls every day, but what if a rider needs help but can’t be heard? These updates will allow for clarity, thus preventing more unnecessary dispatches for help.

The accomplishments these changes intend to meet include providing additional assurance, not only for those placing the call for help but also for those answering the call. If a passenger does not or cannot respond– possibly because they are speech- or hearing-impaired– the new code means emergency personnel will now be able to use a nonverbal means to communicate. This can be accomplished by posting messages in real-time on an in-car display. Operators will select prewritten messages, and passengers will be able to respond “yes” or “no” back to the monitoring personnel using the “Door Open” and “Door Closed” pushbuttons, like the example shown below.

ASME A17.1 Video Communication

The requirement for a one-way elevator video communication stream allows emergency personnel to see inside the elevator, which gives them the ability to better assess the situation, such as confirming whether there is a passenger who cannot respond due to disability or incapacitation. Live, encrypted video of the elevator interior would be available to the remote-monitoring local station, local fire control panel, or building security desk. Kings III can provide a cellular data connection as these increased requirements demand a complex set of deliverables with additional post-installation responsibilities.

Below, you can find an overview of ASME A17.1 elevator code requirements by year, including those updates made in 2019.

Select your state to highlight the ASME code year that the state follows.

View ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-2019 in its Entirety

As shown, the specific requirements to meet elevator code vary by state. Additionally, as with most updates, new code requirements will only apply when elevators are permitted for construction or modernization after AHJ adoption. However, a building owner may choose to make upgrades to older or non-modernized elevators on the same property to ensure emergency communication system consistency. When the code does apply to you, will you be able to comply with the new requirements? Many companies offer call monitoring and answering services, but if elevator emergency calls aren’t their primary business, will they be able to handle the new logistical challenges? Here are some items to consider:

Meeting ASME 17.1 2019 Elevator Code Requirements

Kings III has been working closely with MAD Elevator to solve for new code requirements, but our Kings III phones and CabView elevator video monitoring are compatible with video messaging systems and fixtures from a range of manufacturers. We will be able to use our existing code compliant phones and same all-inclusive monitoring benefits in combination with new two-way video components. When our Kings III Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC) is alerted to an entrapment, we will connect to the elevator car camera to augment our audio communication.

Elevator Communications and Data Connection Requirements: Properly Evaluating Security Risk, Reliability and Encumbrances

What It Looks Like in a Compatible Two-Way Video Elevator System

1. An elevator passenger places an emergency call by pressing the phone/help button.
2. A phone call is placed to the monitoring station through the existing emergency phone system. At the same time, an encrypted tunnel is opened to the monitoring station for video and messaging.
3. The monitoring station answers the phone and begins a verbal conversation with the passenger.
4. If the passenger does not respond, the monitoring station can visually confirm via the in-car elevator camera if there is a passenger in the car, and that it was not an accidental button press.
5. If a passenger is present and has not acknowledged spoken communication, the monitoring station can try to communicate by posting written messages to the in-car screen.
6. Passengers can either respond verbally or by pressing door open/close buttons to answer “yes” or “no.”
7. If there is still no response (or the passenger is unable to respond), the visual confirmation of a passenger being present enables the monitoring station to dispatch appropriate emergency personnel.

This non-proprietary solution avoids the pitfalls of restrictive equipment and can be used with any open platform system. On the contrary, other external systems use proprietary equipment which can limit elevator service company options and may lock you into a permanent maintenance contract.

What it Looks Like with an Internally Monitored System

How does this work in a building with 24-hour onsite security staff who monitor internally? For this type of system, an external connection to the internet and creation of the encrypted tunnel is not required, since all devices are on the same network. When the button is pressed, an onsite attendant is notified via video and messaging software on the fire panel/security desk.

What You Should Consider

Regardless of the code year adopted by your state, the need to protect your customers and those who ride in their elevators remains the same. As codes change, monitoring requirements become stricter, and inspectors demand more. With video and messaging, elevator companies are starting to evaluate more closely whether continuing to monitor in-house is the right strategy, or if self-monitoring is an unnecessary distraction. In fact, many elevator companies have partnered with Kings III to provide expert emergency elevator phone monitoring for their customers. Switching between software programs, interfaces, and methods from call to call will be difficult. If monitoring is not the core business of those who answer your elevator phones, is it worth the liability?

With 18 billion elevator trips in the U.S. annually, elevator malfunctions are inevitable. These additional requirements make how you respond even more important.

A Quick Checklist: All Elevator Code Requirements at a Glance

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Elevator Code

ASME is often one of the first codes referenced by inspectors when it comes to elevators. Here are the items that they will look for:

• A clean and dry elevator pit and machine/control room provided (ASME A17.1 Rule 2.1.2)
• Machine/control room meets manufacturer’s requirement of preserving ambient temperature control and humidity (ASME A17.1 Rule 2.7.9)
• Elevator floor covering installed with appropriate smoke and flame spread (ASME A17.1 Rule 2.14.2)
• Functioning two-way communication provided (ASME A17.1 Section 2.27)
• Elevator calls directed to a 24-hour live monitoring service that is able to respond to emergencies (ASME A17.1 Section 2.27) *NOTE: NEW IN 2019- If your elevator must meet A17.1-2019 or after, there are some additional emergency communications requirements you will need to adhere to:
  • Two-way message display in cab for hearing and/or speech impaired
  • Means for authorized personnel to view video of passengers anywhere in cab
  • Means activated by emergency personnel to change cab message to indicate help is on-site if over 60 ft of travel
• Smoke detectors located in every lobby and in the elevator machine room, with lobby detectors zoned- no built-in time delay, verification not permitted (Both ASME A17.1 Section 2.27 and NFPA 72)
• “Flashing hat” signal is provided in the elevator in the event that a smoke detector is activated (Both ASME A17.1 Section 2.27 and NFPA 72)
• Any equipment/accessories unrelated to elevator use/function/operation (i.e. pipes, ducts) removed from the elevator space and hoistway (ASME A17.1 Section 2.8)
• Fire extinguisher provided in the machine/control room (ASME A17.1 Rule 8.6)
• Normally operable door closer with self-locking lockset from within machine room provided (ASME A17.1 Rule 2.7.3.4)
• Machine/control room provides 19 foot candles of illumination at floor level (ASME A17.1 Rule 2.7.9)

Reprinted from A17.1-2019, by permission of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. All rights reserved.

Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Elevator Requirements

ADA helps to ensure that tenants with disabilities have the same access to both elevator usage and safety. Here’s what you need to verify. (Source)

• Elevators located on an accessible route and comply with ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators- freight elevators not included (ADA 4.10.1)
• Each elevator car is equipped with an automatic self-leveling feature independent from the elevator operating device that brings cars to floor landings 1/2″ under rated loading to zero loading conditions (ADA 4.10.2)
• Elevator call buttons are centered at 42” above the floor (ADA 4.10.3)
• Elevator call buttons have visual signals that notify when a call is both registered and answered (ADA 4.10.3)
• Elevator call buttons are no smaller than ¾” (ADA 4.10.3)
• Elevator call buttons are raised/flush (ADA 4.10.3)
• Any objects below elevator call buttons do not project into the lobby more than 4” (ADA 4.10.3)
• There is a visible and audible signal at every hoistway that communicates which elevator will be answering the call (ADA 4.10.4)
  • Audible signals: either sound once to indicate up and twice to indicate down, or use verbal announcements that state “Up” and “Down”
  • Hall lantern fixtures’ center lines are located at least 72” above the floor
  • Visual elements are no smaller than 2 ½”
• Raised and Braille floor indications are provided on all elevator hoistway entrances on both jambs (ADA 4.10.5)
  • Character centerline is 60” above finish
  • Characters are 2” high
• Elevator doors open and close automatically, included with an automatic device that stops and reopens car and hoistway door if door is obstructed by object or person without requiring contact (ADA 4.10.6)
  • Door devices remain effective for at least 20 seconds
• Elevator doors close at the appropriate minimum acceptable time after the time of an indicated elevator notification (ADA 4.10.7)
• The minimum time for elevator doors to remain fully open in response to a car call is 3 seconds (ADA 4.10.8)
• Space is provided for a wheelchair user to enter, reach controls and exit the elevator car (ADA 4.10.8)
  • Door opening is at least 36”
  • Cab length is at least 51” with at least 54” from the back of the cab to the face of the door
  • Cab width for side opening doors is at least 68”
  • Cab width for center opening doors is at least 80”
• Floor surfaces are slip resistant (ADA 4.10.10)
  • If carpet is used it has ½” pile thickness or lower and all exposed edges are fastened with carpet edge trim
• At least 5 foot candles are used for car controls, platform, car threshold and landing sill (ADA 4.10.11)
• Meets car control panel requirements (ADA 4.10.12)
  • Control buttons are raised/flush and are at least ¾”
  • Control buttons are designated by Braille
  • Floor buttons for side approach are 54” or lower above finish floor
  • Floor buttons for front approach are 48” or lower above finish floor
  • If car has center opening doors, controls are located on front wall
  • If car has side opening doors, controls are located on front wall next to door or side wall
• A visual indicator is provided above the car’s control panel to relay the position of the elevator within the hoistway with corresponding numbers that illuminate and an audible signal as each floor is passed or stopped on (ADA 4.10.13)
• The highest operable part of an elevator’s two-way emergency communications system is 48” or lower from the floor of the elevator car (ADA 4.10.14)
• The elevator’s two-way emergency communications system is established by a raised/recessed symbol and lettering adjacent to the device (ADA 4.10.14)

International Building Code Elevator Regulations

The International Building Code is updated every year. Here’s a more recent development below.

• Elevator machine/control room venting has appropriate fire dampers in penetrations
• Depending on the location, smoke dampers are installed in machine/control room venting
• If floor is one or more stories above or below the level of exit discharge, a two-way communication system is provided at the landing serving each elevator or bank of elevators

See more here.

National Electric Code Elevator Regulations

We’re in the home stretch! There are a few things regarding your NEC elevator code that you will want to check: (Source)

• Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected, receptacle outlets are provided in the pit and the machine/control room (NEC 620.23 ( c ), NEC 620.4 ( c ), NEC 620.85)
• Car lights and receptacles are on a 15AMP separate branch circuit with a lockable over current protecting device located in the machine room (NEC 620.22, NEC 620.53)
• Over current protecting device is externally operable, fused/thermally protected, lockable disconnecting means (NEC 620.22, NEC 620.53)
• There is a separate branch circuit for the machine room light and receptacles (NEC 620.23)
• There is a separate branch circuit for the pit light and receptacle with at least 10 foot candles (NEC 620.24)

Checking off the items on this list will help you to ensure that you have met important national elevator codes. NOTE: It is important to check your state building codes as well, as they may have further elevator code requirements.