CODE UPDATE

Update #9 Where's the Bell? (2.27.1)

Elevator enclosures can be equipped with various types of stop switches to remove the electric power from the driving‑machine motor and brake of an electric elevator and from the pump motor and operating valves of an electrohydraulic elevator. Only one of the switches requires the audible signaling device (bell, buzzer, twetter, chirper, etc.) to sound.

The three different switches and their characteristics are:

Emergency stop switch (See 2.26.2.5 ~ A17.1-2004)

• 1 - prohibitted on passenger elevators
• 2 - required on all freight elevators and located in or adjacent to each car operating panel
• 3 - be of the manually opened and closed type
• 4 - have red operating handles or buttons
• 5 - be conspicuously and permanently marked "STOP", and shall indicate the "STOP" and "RUN" positions
• 6 - while in the open ("STOP") position cause the audible signaling device to sound

Firefighter's stop switch (See 2.26.2.33 ~ A17.1-2004)

• 1 - required in all firefighters' operation panels (See 2.27.3.3.7 & 2.27.3.3.1(m) ~ A17.1-2004)
• 2 - be of the manually opened and closed type
• 3 - have red operating handles or buttons
• 4 - be conspicuously and permanently marked "STOP", and shall indicate the "STOP" and "RUN" positions

In-car stop switch (See 2.26.2.21 ~ A17.1-2004)

• 1 - required on passenger elevators
• 2 - either key operated or behind a locked cover
• 3 - the key shall be Group 1 Security (See 8.1 ~ A17.1-2004)
• 4 - located in or adjacent to the car operating panel (only one switch required per car)
• 5 - be conspicuously and permanently marked "STOP", and shall indicate the "STOP" and "RUN" positions

As you can see, only the emergency stop switch on freight elevators is required to sound the audible signaling device when in the open ("STOP") position.

The emergency communications requirements have been rewritten in the A17.1-2004 code. Hopefully, these slightly more stringent requirements will offset the absence of a signaling device on passenger elevators. The next update will delve into this topic.

E-mail Bob Desnoyers with your audible signaling device comments

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