N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 3001: Section BC 3001: General

3001.1 Scope.

This chapter establishes the minimum safety requirements for, and governs the design, construction, installation, alteration, maintenance, inspection, test and operation of, elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, industrial lifts and loading ramps, mechanical parking equipment, console or stage lifts, power operated scaffolds, amusement devices, platform lifts, and special hoisting and conveying equipment. This chapter and all the provisions of this code for new installations shall also apply to elevators in existing buildings moved to new hoistways. High-rise buildings elevators shall also conform to the provisions of Section 403 of this code.

Exception: Personnel and material hoists used for construction operations subject to the requirements of Chapter 33.

3001.2 Referenced standards.

Except as otherwise provided for in this code, the design, construction, installation, alteration, repair and maintenance of elevators and conveying systems and their components shall conform to ASME A17.1/CSA B44 as modified by Appendix K, Chapter K1, ASME A17.2, ASME A17.3 as modified by Appendix K, Chapter K3, ASME A17.5, ASME A17.6, ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7, ASME A18.1, ASME A90.1, ASME B20.1 as modified by Appendix K, Chapter K2, ANSI A10.4, ANSI E1.46, BSR 1.42, ANSI/ICC A117.1, and ASCE 24 for construction in flood hazard areas established in Appendix G. Where this code makes reference to the nationally recognized standards ASME A17.1/CSA B44, ASME A17.3, and ASME B20.1, such standard(s) shall be as modified for New York City in accordance with Appendix K of this code.

3001.3 Accessibility.

The following elevators and lifts shall conform to ICC A117.1:

1. Passenger elevators, including destination-oriented elevators, required to be accessible by Chapter 11;

2. Limited-Use/Limited-Application (LULA) elevators permitted to be installed on an accessible route pursuant to Section 1109.7.1;

3. Platform lifts permitted to be installed on an accessible route pursuant to Section 1109.8;

4. Private residence elevators serving within an individual dwelling unit in Occupancy Groups R-2 and R-3 occupancies on an accessible route; and

5. Elevators provided in accordance with Sections 3002.4.3.2 and 3002.4.3.3.

3001.4 Change in use.

A change in use of an elevator from freight to passenger, passenger to freight, or from one freight class to another freight class shall comply with Section 8.7 of ASME A17.1/CSA B44.

3001.5 Piping or ductwork.

No piping or ductwork, except as permitted by ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Section 2.8, shall be permitted within hoistway or elevator enclosures except:

1. As required for the elevator installation; and

2. Low voltage wiring less than 50 volts required for fire alarm systems required by this code.

3001.6 Elevator mirrors.

A mirror shall be installed in each self-service passenger elevator in multiple dwellings. Such mirror shall be affixed and maintained in a manner sufficient to enable persons entering such elevator to view the inside thereof prior to entry to determine whether any person is in the elevator.

3001.7 Car switch operation.

Elevators with car switch operation (manual operation) shall be provided with a signal system by means of which signals can be given from any landing whenever the elevator is desired at that landing.

3001.8 Prohibited devices.

The following devices shall be prohibited:

3001.8.1 Manlifts.

The installation of manlifts is prohibited.

3001.8.2 Sidewalk elevators.

The installation of sidewalk elevators located outside the street line is prohibited

3001.9 Approved equipment.

All equipment listed in ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Section 8.3 as modified by New York City Building Code, Appendix K, Chapter K1, shall be listed by an approved agency in accordance with Section 28-113.2.3 of the Administrative Code, Section 8.3.1 of ASME A17.1/CSA B44, and the rules of the department, and shall be approved by the commissioner.

3001.10 Construction documents.

Applications for elevator, escalator, moving walkway and stairway, dumbwaiter, and similar equipment shall contain construction documents that include the following:

1. The location of all machinery, switchboards, junction boxes, and reaction points, with loads indicated;

2. The details of all hoistway conditions including bracket spacing;

3. The estimated maximum vertical forces on the guide rails on application of the safety device;

4. In the case of freight elevators for class B or C loading, the horizontal forces on the guide-rail faces during loading and unloading; and the estimated maximum horizontal forces in a postwise direction on the guide-rail faces on application of the safety device;

5. The size and weight per foot of any rail reinforcements where provided;

6. Compliance with the accessibility features of this code;

7. The details of capability of the withstanding forces (impact) on door entrance assembly and retaining devices;

8. The withstanding hourly fire rating of the hoistway and the hoistway door assembly;

9. The impact loads imposed on machinery and sheave beams, supports and floors or foundations;

10. The impact load on buffer supports due to buffer engagement at the maximum permissible speed and load;

11. Where compensation tie down is applied, the load on the compensation tie down supports; and

12. The total static and dynamic loads from the governor, buffer and tension system.

3001.11 Special provisions for prior code buildings.

Prior code buildings shall be permitted to comply with Section 3001.11.1.

3001.11.1 Existing shafts.

Elevators cabs installed in existing shafts shall be permitted to be smaller than that required by this chapter where necessary to fit in the existing shaft.

Exception: An existing elevator shaft shall be enlarged or a new elevator shaft shall be constructed to accommodate an elevator cab in compliance with Chapter 11 where the entire building is required to be accessible pursuant to either Item 1 of Section 1101.3.1, or Section 1101.3.2.