Chapter 4: Elevators and Platform Lifts

Chapter 4: Elevators and Platform Lifts
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Guide to the ADA Accessibility Standards
PDF
This guide explains criteria for elevators and platform lifts in
the
ADA Standards
Notational tips for users of screen reading software follow.
In this document ″ indicates inches and ′ indicates feet.
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Required Compliance
§206.6
Elevators are the typical means of providing an accessible route between
stories and to mezzanines. In facilities not required to have an
accessible route between stories or to mezzanines (see the Accessible
Routes guide), a limited-use/ limited-application (LULA) elevator is
permitted. LULAs also are allowed as an alternative to platform lifts
and private residence elevators.
Facility or Space
Elevator Type Permitted (if provided instead of ramp)
Facilities required to provide an accessible route to stories/ mezzanines
Elevator (§407)
Facilities not required to provide an accessible route to stories/ mezzanines
Elevator (§407) or LULA (§408)
Residential Dwelling Units
Elevator (§407), LULA (§408), or Private Residence Elevator (§409)
Spaces permitted to be served by a platform lift
Elevator (§407), LULA (§408), or Platform Lift (§410)
ASME A17.1 Code [§407.1]
Elevators, including LULA and private residence elevators, must meet
the ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. The ADA
Standards currently require compliance with the A17.1-2000, including
the 2002 and 2003 addenda. This edition must be followed until the
Standards are updated to reference a later edition of the ASME A17.1
code. In the interim, compliance with a later edition of the ASME A17.1
(now ASME A17.1/CSA B44) may be possible under the provision for
"equivalent facilitation" (§103) only if it is comparable to, or
stricter than, the referenced edition. Questions about the ASME A17.1
code should be directed to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
www.asme.org
Only passenger elevators as classified by the referenced elevator safety
code (ASME A17.1) can be used to meet the ADA Standards. Each passenger
elevator provided, whether required or not, must comply with the ADA
Standards. This includes those elevators that move both passengers and
freight, sometimes loosely referred to as "service elevators." Examples
include elevators in residential or retail facilities that are regularly
used by tenants or customers but that are also used to move furniture,
merchandise, or other freight.
Freight elevators cannot be used to satisfy the requirement for an
accessible route between floors. Freight elevators are defined by the
ASME A17.1 code as those elevators "used primarily for carrying freight
and on which only the operator and the persons necessary for unloading
and loading the freight are permitted to ride." Where provided, they are
not required to meet the ADA Standards. Construction elevators, like
other structures directly associated with the actual processes of
construction, are exempt (§203.2).
Elevators
§407
Elevator Landing Requirements
§407.2
Elevator Door Requirements
§407.3
Elevator Car Requirements
§407.4
The ADA Standards specify the minimum car dimensions. Alternative
configurations that provide unobstructed wheelchair turning space (60″
diameter circle or T-turn) with the doors closed are permitted.
Elevator Car Dimensions (§407.4.1)
Elevator Car Requirements
§407.4.2
Other requirements for elevator cars include:
compliant floor surfaces
a maximum 1¼″ horizontal clearance between car platform sill and hoistway landing
a self-leveling feature
5 feet candles minimum illumination at platform, controls, threshold, and landing sill
Car Leveling and Platform to Hoistway Clearance
Car Controls
§407.4.6
If more than one car control panel is provided in a car, both must
comply (except in existing cars where only 1 panel must comply).
Car Controls (§407.4.6 and §407.4.7)
Car Position Indicators
§407.4.8
Position indicators are required for all cars, including those of 2-stop
elevators. Specifications include:
½″ minimum character height
Illumination of each floor level passed or stopped at
Automatic verbal announcement of stop or non-verbal audible signal of passed floors and stops (if elevator not destination-oriented and has a rated speed of 200 feet/ minute maximum)
Frequency: 300 to 3,000 Hz for verbal annunciator, 1500 Hz maximum for non-verbal signal
Signal level: 10 dB minimum above ambient to 80 dB maximum
Emergency Communication
§407.4.9
The ASME A17.1 code addresses features of required two-way emergency communication devices, including controls and visual indicators. The ADA Standards apply requirements for operable parts and tactile characters and symbols.
The ASME A17.1 code requires a two-way means of emergency communication
in elevator cars. This system establishes direct communication with
authorized personnel and must be activated by a push button. Handsets,
which are vulnerable to vandalism, and closed compartments are
prohibited. The activating button must be permanently identified by a
tactile phone symbol and the term “HELP” located either on or adjacent
to the button. Operating instructions are also required.
The ASME A17.1 also requires a visual signal, such as a labeled LED
light or lighted jewel, to acknowledge that the emergency call has been
received. The visual signal is considered a component of the two-way
communication, though voice communication may also be established. The
visual indication must be on the same panel as the “HELP” push button
and extinguish when a communications link is terminated.
In addition to the ASME requirements, the ADA Standards require that the
push button and other device controls comply as operable parts (§309).
They also require the push button to be labeled with a specified tactile
phone symbol and braille. Operating instructions and other information,
including the label for the visible signal, must meet criteria for
visual characters but are not required to be tactile.
Destination-Oriented Elevators
With destination-oriented elevators, passengers indicate the floor
destination when calling an elevator, usually through a keypad. Lobby
indicators designate which car to use, which is programmed by the time
of arrival. This type of elevator reduces the number of stops per trip.
The requirements of §407 apply to destination-oriented elevators, but
some provisions or exceptions, which are summarized here, are unique to
this type of elevator.
Destination-Oriented Elevators: Call Signals
Destination-Oriented Elevators: Car Arrival
Other provisions unique to destination-oriented elevators:
Elevator Door Requirements (§407.3)
Specifications for door and signal timing do not apply (§407.3.4, Ex. 2)
Car Position Indicators (§407.4.8)
Visual display of each floor a car has been programmed to stop at and automatic verbal announcement of each car stop are required
Visual indicators: ½″ minimum character height, location above control panel/keypad or door, must extinguish when call answered
Automatic verbal announcement (300 to 3,000 Hz, 10 dB minimum above ambient to 80 dB maximum)
Existing Elevators (Alterations)
Alterations to Existing Elevators
When an alteration is made to an existing car, it also must be made to all other cars that respond to the same hall call.
The Standards apply to existing elevators that are altered. Compliance
is determined by the scope of the project. For example, if a car
operating panel is upgraded, at a minimum the new panel must comply.
Other elements of a car that are not altered are not required to comply.
Alterations made to an existing car also must be made to each elevator
programmed to respond to the same hall call so that a consistent level
of accessibility within banks is maintained.
Requirements for new elevators are also applied to those that are
altered, but specific exceptions or alternative specifications are
permitted for existing elevators that are altered. These provisions
unique to existing elevators are summarized here. In addition, altered
elevators must meet applicable sections of the referenced A17.1 code
that apply to alterations.
Provisions or exceptions specifically for existing elevators do not
apply to elevators that are newly added to an existing facility which
must comply with the requirements for new elevators. Certain alterations
or additions to a facility may trigger the requirement for an accessible
route between floors, including:
where stairs or escalators are added in an alteration or addition
where none existed previously and major structural modifications are
necessary, an accessible route must connect each level served by the
new stair or escalator (§206.2.3.1);
as needed to provide an accessible path of travel to a primary
function area that is altered or that is part of an addition, unless
the cost is more than 20% of the overall cost (§202.4).
Provisions or Exceptions Specific to Existing (Altered) Elevators
Recommendation:
For greater usability, make those altered elements covered by an exception fully comply wherever practicable.
Limited-Use/ Limited-Application Elevators
§408
LULA elevators are passenger elevators that are permitted in facilities
where an accessible route between stories or mezzanines is not required
and as an alternative to private residence elevators and platform lifts.
They cannot substitute for elevators complying with §407 that are
required to meet requirements for accessible routes. For the most part,
LULAs are held to the same requirements for elevators in §407 and
applicable sections of the ASME safety code. However, LULAs have smaller
car sizes, slower speeds, shorter travel distances, and alternative
types of doors. Besides car size, provisions for LULAs differ from those
of §407 in that:
Hoistway doors can be swinging type (they must open and close
automatically, be power-operated, meet requirements for doors and
referenced ANSI/BHMA Standards for low-energy doors, and remain open
for at least 20 seconds)
Requirements are not included for door timing and delay or for car
position indicators
LULA Car Dimensions (§408.4)
Private Residence Elevators
§409
Private residence elevators are permitted only within a residential
dwelling unit or in a multiple dwelling unit facility as a means of
access to a single private residence. Elevators in residential
facilities not located within or serving individual dwelling units must
meet requirements in §407.
Platform Lifts
Where Platform Lifts are Permitted
§206.7
Platform lifts can be part of an accessible route in existing facilities
that are altered. In new construction, platform lifts can be used to
provide an accessible route to these areas only:
wheelchair spaces, performance areas, and speakers’ platforms
incidental spaces with a maximum occupancy of 5 that are not for
public use
raised courtroom stations, such as jury boxes, witness stands,
judges’ benches, clerks stations and depressed areas such as the
well of the court
levels within transient lodging guest rooms and residential dwelling
units
certain recreation facilities: amusement rides, play areas,
team/player seating areas in sports facilities, recreational boating
facilities, and fishing piers and platforms
They also are permitted in new construction where topography or other
existing exterior site constraints make a ramp or elevator infeasible.
While the site constraint must reflect exterior conditions, the lift can
be installed in the interior of a building. For example, an exterior or
interior platform lift could be used to provide an accessible entrance
or to coordinate interior floor levels at a new building constructed
between and connected to two existing buildings if there is not
sufficient space to coordinate floor levels and also to provide ramped
entry from the public way.
Recommendation:
In alterations, it is advisable that platforms lifts be used only in instances where a ramp or elevator is technically infeasible or in the locations permitted in new construction.
ASME A18.1 Safety Standard
§410.1
Platform lifts must meet the ASME A18.1 Safety Standard for
Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts. The ASME A18.1 covers the
design, construction, installation, operation, inspection, testing,
maintenance and repair of lifts that are intended for transportation of
persons with disabilities. The ADA Standards currently require
compliance with the 1999 edition or the 2003 editions of the A18.1
Standard. Either of these editions must be followed until the ADA
Standards are updated to reference a later edition of the ASME A18.1
Standard. In the interim, compliance with a later edition of the ASME
A18.1 Standard may be possible under the provision for “equivalent
facilitation” (§103) only if it is comparable to, or stricter than, the
referenced edition. Questions about the ASME A18.1 code should be
directed to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
www.asme.org
).
Under the ADA Standards, platform lifts must be independently operable
and must allow unassisted entry and exit from the lift. Attendant
operation, while allowed by the ASME A18.1 Standard, is prohibited by
the ADA Standards. Portable lifts do not satisfy the ADA Standards even
when they comply with ASME A18.1.
The ASME A18.1 Standard addresses requirements for runway enclosures,
electrical equipment and wiring, structural support, headroom clearance
(80″ minimum), access ramps, pits, and other features. The ASME A18.1
Standard recognizes two types of platform lifts: vertical platform lifts
and inclined platform lifts. Lifts without platforms, including stairway
chairlifts, are not permitted by the ADA Standards except at swimming
pools and spas because they require transfer from wheeled mobility aids.
(Specifications for pool lifts include a fixed seat and footrests, but
not a platform (§1009.2)).
Vertical Platform Lift
The ASME A18.1 Standard specifies platform and runway enclosures for vertical platform lifts, among other features, and limits the travel distance. The size of platforms cannot exceed 18 sq. feet.
Inclined Platform Lift
Inclined platform lifts can have a folding platform and are typically located at stairways. They must be installed so they do not encroach on required means of egress. Passenger retaining arms are permitted as an alternative to a platform enclosure under the ASME A18.1 Standard.
Requirements for Platform Lifts
Platform Lift Clear Floor Space and Doors/ Gates
Common Questions
Elevators
Are freight or service elevators required to comply?
When an elevator is used to provide a required accessible route between
stories, it must meet requirements for passenger elevators. Elevators
that serve passengers but can also be used to move freight, sometimes
referred to as “service elevators,” must meet the ASME requirements for
passenger elevators. Examples include elevators in residential or retail
facilities that are regularly used by tenants or customers but that are
also used to move furniture, merchandise, or other freight. Where
provided, they must comply with the Standards.
Freight elevators, on the other hand, are defined by the ASME A17.1 code
as those elevators “used primarily for carrying freight and on which
only the operator and the persons necessary for unloading and loading
the freight are permitted to ride.” Freight elevators cannot be used in
lieu of a passenger elevator to provide an accessible route between
stories or mezzanines. Where provided, freight elevators are not
required to comply with the Standards.
Can elevator doors close sooner than the minimum opening time specified when users activate door close?
User activation of door close (or automatic operation) cannot reduce the
initial opening time of doors (3 seconds minimum) or the minimum door
signal timing (based on 1.5 feet/s travel speed for the distance from the
hall call button to car door centerline). When doors automatically
reopen due to a detected obstruction, they can begin to reclose when no
longer obstructed. The 20 second minimum pertains to the length of time
the sensory reopening device remains effective, not necessarily the
length of time doors remain open.
Must elevator doors remain open for 20 seconds?
LULA swing doors, private residence elevator doors, and platform lift
gates and doors must remain open for 20 seconds minimum. This does not
apply to the doors of passenger elevators complying with §407 which must
remain fully open for at least 3 seconds in response to a call
(§407.3.5). The opening time is further determined by the travel
distance from hall call buttons and signal timing based on a 1.5 feet/s
travel speed beginning from audible and visible signalization of car
arrival (§407.3.4). Reopening devices must remain effective for 20
seconds minimum, but in reopening, doors do not have to remain open for
this length of time if unobstructed.
Are access key, card, or code entry systems permitted in elevators?
Yes, but fixed features of such systems must comply as operable parts.
For example, card readers must be located within accessible reach
ranges. Non-fixed portions, including keys and access cards issued to
users, are not required to comply. (Where use of stairs between levels
served by an elevator is unrestricted, use of the elevator should not be
restricted to key holders.)
Can audible signals for an elevator operate only when needed by a passenger who needs them through activation of dedicated “accessibility” control?
No, audible (and visible) signals required for elevators must function
automatically at all times an elevator is operational. Requiring
passengers to manually activate such signals when needed is not
permitted by the ADA Standards.
Can hall and in-car signals be displayed horizontally (i.e., side-by-side) instead of vertically (i.e., one above the other)?
Yes, hall signs can be displayed horizontally instead of vertically.
However, with call buttons, the button designating the up direction must
be located above the one indicating the down direction (§407.2.1.4).
Are handrails required in elevator cars?
The ADA Standards do not require handrails in elevators cars. If they
are provided, they are not required to comply with requirements in the
ADA Standards for handrails (§403.6, Advisory).
Can a more recent edition of the ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators (or the ASME A18.1 Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts) be used instead of the editions referenced in the Standards?
The specific editions of the ASME A17.1 and ASME A18.1 codes referenced
by the ADA Standards are to be followed (although the Access Board
intends to update references to keep them current). Compliance with a
later edition may be possible under the provision for “equivalent
facilitation” (§103) if it is comparable to, or stricter than, the
referenced editions.
Platform Lifts
Are stairway chairlifts permitted?
No, stairway chairlifts cannot be used where platform lifts are
permitted by the ADA Standards (§206.7) although they are addressed by
the ASME A18.1 Standard. Chairlifts require transfer to a fixed seat
from wheeled mobility aids and thus are not independently usable.
Platform lifts can be equipped with seats, including those that fold,
but they must be located outside the minimum clear area specified for
platforms which are sized to accommodate wheeled mobility aids.
Can platform lifts be locked?
The Standards require “unassisted” entry and exit from lifts (§410.1).
Situations in which platform lifts are locked and require users to
request or retrieve a key for operation will not satisfy this
requirement for independent operation. Platform lifts can be locked
during those times when the space or facility they serve is closed.
Can lifts be attendant-operated?
Attendant operation, although recognized by the ASME A18.1 Standard, is
expressly prohibited by the ADA Standards. Platform lifts must provide
“unassisted entry and exit from the lift” (§410.1).
Can platform lifts be portable or provided after construction as an adaptation?
Platform lifts must be permanent and installed at the time of
construction or alteration with few exceptions. Platform lifts can be
provided after construction only to provide access to raised work
stations in courtrooms (sufficient space and electrical service must be
provided in design to facilitate installation). Only platform lifts
serving temporary structures can be temporary or portable.
View ADA Standards
Technical Assistance
Contact the Access Board for guidance on these standards
202-272-0080 (voice)
ta@access-board.gov