ASME A17.1-2019, as a code, is intended to provide safety of life and limb and promote public welfare. It covers not only elevators, escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters, material lifts, and related equipment, but also their associated parts, rooms, spaces, and hoistways.
The ASME A17.1-2019 document is broken up into specific parts to ease compliance. Each part, other than those detailing general requirements, cover a specific equipment—electric elevators, hydraulic elevators, elevators with other types of driving machines, special application elevators, escalators and moving walks, and dumbwaiters and material lifts. In all, this document details a range of interests, but is succinct enough to be adopted by regulatory bodies.
Please note that ASME A17.1-2019 excludes specific equipment covered by other standards and codes, including those specified in other ASME A17 standards. Furthermore, the code applies to new installations only, except for specific sections outlined in the document.
Important changes to this standard include:
- Updates to door requirements in private residence elevators and occupant evacuation elevators.
- Seismic requirements for elevators and escalators were clarified.
- Updates were made to emergency communication requirements for an elevator to ensure communication with any trapped passengers, including those who are hearing impaired.
- Requirements were modified for increased door protection on passenger elevators.
