CHANGES TO THE ELEVATOR & ESCALATOR CODE IN NYC

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Modernizations and new installations will be significantly impacted by amendments to the NYC Building Code and the Elevator and Escalator Code that took effect on November 7, 2022.

Owners that are thinking about updating/altering or installing new vertical transportation equipment should get in touch with the VDA Consulting Office to discuss these impending changes.

Furthermore, affected are projects that are currently under contract but may or may not have all necessary permits obtained and issued by November 7, 2022. It is advised to speak with your VDA Elevator Consulting contact as soon as possible.

Notwithstanding the lengthy list of revisions to the Code, the following are only a few extracts that will have an influence on construction and elevator modernization projects:

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The Vehicle's Permanent Two-Way Communication Mechanisms

​Adjacent to the "PHONE" pushbutton on the same panel:

• To recognize that communications have been established, a message that is activated by authorized persons must be displayed. When a new message needs to be displayed or when the communications are over, the message may be extinguished.
• Messages that allow authorized employees to speak with and get responses from a trapped passenger, including a passenger who is deaf or hard of hearing, must be shown.
• When assistance is on the way, a message that is activated by authorized employees must be displayed. Unless a new message is displayed or the communication is ended, the message must remain on display.
  
• It must be possible for authorized staff to view video of passengers at any point on the car floor for the purpose of assessing entrapment.
  

Elevators That Are Destination-Oriented
Hall call console number and provision: According to Section 1109.7.2.1.1 or 1109.7.2.1.2, as appropriate, hall call consoles (input devices) must be located and provided in a number. One console for each type of use at each separate location must be situated on an accessible route leading to the elevator landings that are served by all such consoles, with the following exception: if hall call consoles are a necessary component of security barriers.

• Major Lobbies and Transfer floors shall have adjacent to each elevator hoistway entry at least one wall-mounted hall call desk. The system will designate an elevator car on the left or right side of the hall call console as the responding elevator when the accessibility function button is pressed.

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These are only a handful of the modifications to the Code that could affect your project. These are simply extracts and do not encompass the full of a change to the entire Code or a particular portion.