ASME A17.3-2015 Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators is intended to serve as the basis for state and local jurisdictional authorities in adopting retroactive requirements for existing elevators and escalators to enhance the safety of the general public. It is also intended as a standard reference of safety requirements for the guidance of architects, engineers, insurance companies, manufacturers, and contractors, and as a standard of safety practices for building owners and managers of structures where existing elevator equipment covered in the scope of the Code is used.
The purpose of this Code is to establish minimum requirements that will provide a reasonable degree of safety for the general public. While many of these requirements will also increase the degree of safety for the elevator mechanic and inspector, this area has not been specifically addressed at this time. Operation and maintenance instructions in this Safety Code are intended for general applications. The equipment manufacturer or installer or both shall be consulted for specific operating or maintenance instructions.
A17.3 guides all parties engaged in the safe installation, inspection, testing, operation, and/or insurance of existing elevators and escalators; thus sparing the major capital expense of all-new equipment. As an alternative to ASME A17.1-2010, it also allows for more flexibility in problem-solving.
This Code is to be used in conjunction with other volumes of ASME’s A17 series of safety standards. Careful application of these A17 safety standards will help users to comply with applicable regulations within their jurisdictions, while achieving the operational and safety benefits to be gained from the many industry best-practices detailed within these volumes.
Intended for anyone engaged in the safety of elevators, escalators and related conveyances, including those responsible for: design, engineering and manufacture; installation, operation, testing, maintenance, alteration and repair; inspection; plans, contracts, administration, insurance and liability; property, facilities and plant management; and emergency response.
