N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 3002: Section BC 3002: Hoistway Enclosures

3002.1 Hoistway enclosure protection.

Elevator, dumbwaiter and other hoistway enclosures shall be shaft enclosures complying with Section 713.

3002.1.1 Definitions.

The following terms are defined in Chapter 2:

HOISTWAY.

ZERO CLEARANCE VESTIBULE.

3002.1.2 Opening protectives.

Openings in hoistway enclosures shall be protected as required in Chapter 7.

Exception: The elevator car doors and the associated hoistway enclosure doors at the floor level designated for recall in accordance with Section 3003.2 shall be permitted to remain open during Phase I Emergency Recall Operation in accordance with ASME A17.1/CSA B44, as modified by Appendix K, Chapter K1.

3002.1.3 Hardware.

Hardware on opening protectives shall be of an approved type installed as tested, except that approved interlocks, mechanical locks and electric contacts, door and gate electric contacts and door-operating mechanisms shall be exempt from the fire test requirements.

3002.2 Number of elevator cars in a hoistway.

1. Where four or more elevator cars serve all or the same portion of a building, the elevators shall be located in not fewer than two separate hoistways.

2. Where five or more elevators serve the same portion of a building, not more than four elevator cars shall be located in any single hoistway enclosure.

3. Elevators that service different rises shall be located in separate hoistways.

3002.3 Emergency signs.

A sign shall be posted and maintained on every floor at the elevator landing. The sign shall read "IN FIRE EMERGENCY, DO NOT USE ELEVATOR. USE THE EXIT STAIRS." The lettering shall be at least 1/2 inch (13 mm) block letters in red with white background or as otherwise approved by the commissioner. Such lettering shall be properly spaced to provide good legibility. The sign shall also contain a diagram showing the location where it is posted and the location and letter identification of the stairs on the floor. The sign shall be at least 10 inches by 12 inches (255 mm by 305 mm), located directly above a call button and securely attached to the wall or partition. The top of such sign shall not be more than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the floor level. The diagram on such sign may be omitted provided that signs containing such diagram are posted in conspicuous places on the respective floor. In such case, the sign at the elevator landing shall be at least 2 1/2 inches by 10 inches (64 mm by 254 mm) and the diagram signs shall be at least 8 inches by 12 inches (203 mm by 305 mm).

3002.3.1 Stair and elevator identification signs.

Each stair and each bank of elevators shall be identified by an alphabetic letter. A sign indicating the letter of identification for the elevator bank shall be posted and maintained at each elevator landing directly above or as part of the sign specified in Section 3002.3. The stair identification sign shall be posted and maintained on the occupancy side of the stair door. The letter on the sign shall be at least 3 inches (76 mm) high, of bold type and of contrasting color from the background. Such signs shall be securely attached.

Exceptions:

1. The emergency sign shall not be required for elevators that are part of an accessible means of egress complying with Section 1009.4.

2. The emergency sign shall not be required for elevators that are used for occupant self-evacuation in accordance with Section 3008.

3002.4 Elevator required.

In buildings five stories in height or more and buildings with four or more stories below grade plane, at least one elevator shall provide access to all floors.

3002.4.1 Standby power required for elevators.

Emergency power shall be provided to elevators in the following categories:

1. Elevator(s) in high-rise buildings covered by Section 403.1, other than Group R-2 occupancies, as required by Section 403.4.8.4.1;

2. Elevator(s) in high-rise buildings in Group R-2 occupancies more than 125 feet (38 100 mm) in height, as required by Section 403.4.8.4.2;

3. Elevator(s) in underground buildings, as required by Section 405.8;

4. Elevator(s) in Groups B, E, and R-1 occupancies that are subject to Section 2702.2.20; and

5. Elevator(s) serving as accessible means of egress pursuant to Section 1009.4.

3002.4.2 Elevator car to accommodate ambulance stretcher.

Where elevators are provided in buildings five or more stories above, or four or more stories below grade plane, or underground buildings as described in Section 405.1, not fewer than one elevator subject to Section 3003.3 shall be provided with an elevator car of such a size and arrangement to accommodate an ambulance stretcher 24 inches by 84 inches (610 mm by 2134 mm), with not less than 5 inch (127 mm) radius corners, in the horizontal, open position and shall be identified by the international symbol for emergency medical services (star of life). The symbol shall be not less than 3 inches (76 mm) in height and shall be placed on both jambs of the hoistway entrances on each floor. Standby power shall be required for such an elevator if it serves a building subject to Section 3002.4.1.

Exceptions:

1. An elevator serving not more than one individual dwelling unit in a building pursuant to Section 3002.4.3.1 or 3002.4.3.2.

2. Limited-Use/Limited-Application (LULA) elevators (25 feet maximum rise).

3002.4.3 Elevator serving individual dwelling unit.

Elevators provided in individual dwelling units in buildings in Occupancy Groups R-2 and R-3 shall comply with Section 3002.4.3.1 through 3002.4.3.3, as applicable.

3002.4.3.1 Maximum rise of 60 feet (18 288 mm).

A private residence elevator with 60 feet (18 288 mm) of maximum rise shall be permitted to serve within an individual dwelling unit provided the elevator car is in compliance with ASME A17.1/CSA B44, and Section 3001.3 of this code.

3002.4.3.2 Rise of over 60 feet (18 288 mm) but not more than 75 feet (22 860 mm).

An elevator with 60 feet (18 288 mm) but not more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) of maximum rise shall be permitted to serve within an individual dwelling unit provided the elevator car is in compliance with Parts 2 or 3 of ASME A17.1/CSA B44 and Section 3001.3 of this code even if it does not serve on an accessible route within the dwelling unit.

3002.4.3.3 Maximum rise of more than 75 feet (22 860 mm).

A passenger elevator shall be required to serve within an individual dwelling unit where the maximum rise is over 75 feet (22 860 mm). Such elevator shall comply with ASME A17.1/CSA B44, and Sections 3001.3 and 3002.4.2 of this code even if it does not serve on an accessible route within the dwelling unit.

3002.5 Emergency doors.

Where an elevator is installed in a single blind hoistway or on the outside of a building, there shall be installed in the blind portion of the hoistway or blank face of the building, an emergency door in accordance with ASME A17.1/CSA B44.

3002.6 Prohibited doors.

Doors, other than hoistway doors and the elevator car door, shall be prohibited at the point of egress from an elevator car unless such doors are readily openable from the car side without a key, tool, special knowledge or effort.

3002.7 Common enclosure with stairway.

Elevators shall not be in a common shaft enclosure with a stairway.

Exception: Elevators within open parking garages need not be separated from stairway enclosures.

3002.8 Glass in elevator enclosures.

Glass in elevator enclosures shall comply with ASME A17.1/CSA B44 and Section 2409.2 of this code.

3002.9 Plumbing and mechanical systems.

Plumbing and mechanical systems shall not be located in an elevator hoistway enclosure.

Exceptions:

1. Floor drains, sumps and sump pumps shall be permitted at the base of the hoistway enclosure provided they are indirectly connected to the plumbing system.

2. Sprinklers shall be permitted when otherwise required.