Compliance Standard - Hydraulic Elevators

IMPORTANT: These Compliance Standards will go into effect on March 1, 2023.

Incident Reporting

Incident reporting is required by law - Director’s Guideline #230/09.
Note: A consequence to a person or property equals an incident.
In the case of death, serious injury or immediate hazard, call the TSSA at 1-877-682-8772.
Report all incidents to TSSA by email at ed-incident@tssa.org and call 1-877-682-8772.
To report an incident involving an elevating device, please refer to the ED Incident Reporting Guidelines or Incidents Involving Floods, and complete the ED Incident Reporting Form.

Compliance standards are lists of high-risk non-compliances associated with various devices. On periodic inspections, TSSA will only follow up on these high-risk non-compliances; however, regulated parties should recognize these high-risk non-compliances as items that need to be immediately addressed at any time. Other non-compliances that do not pose the same level of risk should be addressed in accordance with the timeline documented in the inspector's report. For more information, visit Compliance Standards - What, Why and Benefits.

Elevator owners, contractors and mechanics have responsibility for full compliance of elevators in accordance with Ontario Regulation 209/01: Elevating Devices, the adopted code as well as all applicable Director's Orders, advisories and manufacturers' bulletins.

Important Reminders

Certified Mechanics

The owner / contractor shall ensure that any alteration to the elevator is completed by a registered contractor.
No person shall act as a contractor unless registered or undertake any work outside of the scope of their registration.
In certain circumstances, depending on the device type, a certified mechanic may have to attend to assist the inspector.

Disconnection

If a seal is affixed to the disconnect, it shall not be removed unless allowed by the inspector that applied it. In some cases, the inspector's supervisor may allow its removal.

Device Removed from Service

If a device is ordered removed from service by TSSA, it shall not be returned to service unless allowed by a TSSA Inspector.
The mechanic shall ensure that the elevator is not returned to service in an unsafe condition.

Maintenance Control Program (MCP)

The Contractor / Certificate Owner must complete the Maintenance Control Program (MCP) at the required intervals to ensure the device is in compliance. The MCP shall contain all the OEM manuals and bulletins.

Compliance Standards / High-Risk Items for Hydraulic Elevators

During the periodic inspection, TSSA will be checking the following items and orders will be issued for non-compliance.

Note: In some circumstances, orders may be issued where high-risk safety hazards are discovered which are not identified in this standard.

SHUT DOWN- If an item is deficient and an order is issued for immediate compliance (0 days for the compliance time):
- Remove the device from service and
- Repair before putting it back into service
- A repair can be done immediately during the maintenance unless it is a reportable incident according to the Incident Reporting Guidelines. Even if it is a reportable incident, a TSSA Supervisor or Investigator can authorize an immediate repair
REPAIR / REPLACE - If the item is deficient and an order is issued for compliance within a 14-day time period:
- Fix as required

Owner

REPAIR / REPLACE – If the licence has expired.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If the Director is not notified within 10 days of licence information change.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If the Maintenance Control Program logbook is not on site, readily available or being maintained with up-to-date data.
SHUT-DOWNor REPAIR / REPLACE (Depending on circumstances) – If keys to access machine room/control room are not kept on site.
SHUT-DOWN –If safe access is not provided to the machine/control room.
SHUT-DOWN or REPAIR / REPLACE (Depending on circumstances) – If the stairway to the machine room/control room is damaged or not secure.
SHUT-DOWN or REPAIR / REPLACE (Depending on circumstances) – If the roof access is not properly hinged and/or counterbalanced.
SHUT-DOWN or REPAIR / REPLACE (Depending on circumstances) – If the roof access ladder is not secure.
SHUT-DOWN or REPAIR / REPLACE (Depending on circumstances) – If there is no means to safely enter the elevator pit. For example, if there is no non-combustible ladder.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If machine room electrical boxes are missing covers (non-elevator related equipment).

Maintenance Control Program (MCP)

REPAIR / REPLACE – If the logbook onsite is not specific to the device or logbook entries included are not applicable for components that require action.

Oil Loss Monitoring Program

SHUT-DOWN – If a fixed reference point has not been established.
SHUT-DOWN – If no reason is provided for why oil was added or removed from the system.
SHUT-DOWN – If no reason is provided for why a reference mark was changed.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If the logbook entry for the oil level was not completed for each visit.
SHUT-DOWN – If oil exceeded the reference level.

Machine Room/Control Room (MCP Requirement 8.6.4.8)

REPAIR / REPLACE – If the machine room floor contains water, dirt, rubbish, oil, grease, and/or other flammable liquids.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If articles are being stored that are not for maintenance of the device.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If the access door is not self closing and self locking.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If the machine room/control room space or the hoistway is being used as a storage area.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If electrical boxes are missing covers.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If the main disconnect, drive machine, or governor are not numbered properly.
SHUT-DOWN or REPAIR / REPLACE (Depending on circumstances) – If the main disconnect needs to be repaired or replaced.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If a minimum of one metre of clearance is not present around all electrical equipment that has replaceable parts.

Hydraulic System

SHUT-DOWN - If oil is missing in the system that cannot be accounted for.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If the oil level has not been maintained as per requirement 8.6.5.4.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If gland packing and seals have not been maintained as per requirement 8.6.5.5.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If runby clearances after re-roping or shorting has not been maintained as per requirement 8.6.5.10.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If anticreep and low oil protection have not been maintained as per requirement 8.6.5.12.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If hydraulic cylinder and pressure testing have not been completed as per requirement 8.6.5.14.2.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If relief valve is not tested.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If the relief valve is not sealed.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If cylinder top is above the top of the tank and the device does not have a pressure switch.

Controller

In accordance with requirement 8.6.4.19.10:

SHUT-DOWN – If SIL rated safety devices, functions and related circuits do not operate as intended (See table 2.26.4.3.2 for list of SIL device functions).
REPAIR / REPLACE – If check out procedures are not on site.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If contacts are worn on relays.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If wiring is not properly installed in controller.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If motor phase protection is not operative.
SHUT-DOWN – If the electrical protective device does not remove power from the hydraulic machine.
SHUT-DOWN – If hydraulic oil is leaking/wicking into the controller.

Governor

REPAIR / REPLACE – If governor is not properly sealed.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If overspeed switch is not operative.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If governor components are not free moving.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If guarding is interfering with proper operation.
SHUT-DOWN or REPAIR / REPLACE (Depending on circumstances) – If governor rope is lubricated, has rouge, has loss of diameter, is corroded, or exceeds the number of breaks allowed.

Hoistway

REPAIR / REPLACE – If Cat 5 test is not completed in accordance with requirement 8.6.4.20.6 for the emergency terminal/speed limiting device.
SHUT-DOWN – If the limit switch does not remove power from the hydraulic machine.
SHUT-DOWN – If the terminal stopping device, if present, is not operative.
SHUT-DOWN – If the safety switch is not operative.
SHUT-DOWN – If the slack rope switch is not operative.
SHUT-DOWN – If the broken tape switch is not operative.

Hoisting Ropes

REPAIR / REPLACE – If ropes are rouged, have loss of diameter, or exceed the maximum allowed breaks.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If ropes cannot be visually inspected due to debris or excessive lubricant.

Doors/Gates

REPAIR / REPLACE – If door system has not been maintained as per requirement 8.6.4.13.1.

This includes the following:

Hoistway door interlocks or mechanical locks and electric contacts
Car door electric contacts or car door interlocks, where required
Door reopening devices
Vision panels and grilles, where required
Hoistway door unlocking devices and escutcheons, hangers, tracks, door rollers, up-thrusts, and other door safety retainers, where required.
Astragals and resilient members, door space guards, and sight guards, where required
Sills and bottom guides, fastenings, condition, and engagement
Clutches, engaging vanes, retiring cams, and engaging rollers
Interconnecting means
Door closers, where required
Means to restrict hoistway or car door opening and expiration date for the alternate power source, where required

REPAIR / REPLACE – If door system kinetic energy and force have not been maintained as per requirement 8.6.4.13.2.
SHUT-DOWN – If door closing force is more than 30 lbf.
SHUT-DOWN – If normal or reduced door closing time is shorter than what is indicated on door data tag.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If leading edge of the door has sharp edges.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If Cat 1 test is not completed in accordance with requirement 8.6.4.19.16 - Means to Restrict Hoistway/Car Door Opening.
SHUT-DOWN – If door lock bypass system is not operative.
SHUT-DOWN – (if car can stop in flight) or REPAIR / REPLACE (if car cannot stop in flight) – If door clutch is striking landing door pick up rollers.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If Cat 1 test is not completed in accordance with requirement 8.6.5.14.6 for power operation of door system.

Landing Door

REPAIR / REPLACE – If door top or bottom safety retainers are missing, worn, or not adjusted to the manufacturer’s specs.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If door is not self closing.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If clearance around the landing door exceeds 10 millimetres.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If interlock is not locking door after 7 millimetres of engagement.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If interlock breaks electric contact when outside of landing zone.

Car Door

SHUT-DOWN – orREPAIR / REPLACE (If other compliance means exists) – If door reopening device is not operative.
SHUT-DOWN – If the door safety edge is operating intermittently.
SHUT-DOWN – If the device operates when the car door/gate is opened by more than 50 millimetres.
SHUT-DOWN – If the door restrictor is not operative.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If horizontal clearance from car door edge to jamb when closed is more than 13 millimetres.

Freight Doors

REPAIR / REPLACE – If inside or outside pull strap is missing.
SHUT-DOWN – If the pull strap is not approved type (no ropes, cables etc).
SHUT-DOWN – If the pull strap contains loops or knots.
SHUT-DOWN – If the pull strap is longer then required (maximum 79 inches when panel is fully opened).
REPAIR / REPLACE – If horizontal clearance around car door panels is more than one inch.

Top of Car

SHUT-DOWN – If car stop button is not operative.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If car handrail is not constructed properly.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If handrail is not secure.
SHUT-DOWN – If emergency exit fasteners are missing.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If emergency exit chain is missing or not connected.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If tools are required to open the top of car emergency exit.
SHUT-DOWN – If emergency exit panel can be opened more then 50 millimetres without activating the electrical device.

Landing

SHUT-DOWN – If any hoistway access switches are not operative.
SHUT-DOWN – If a hole is found in the hall station.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If car apron is not compliant to Section 3.10 of the TSSA Code Adoption Document.
SHUT-DOWN – If landing sills are not substantially flush and present a tripping hazard.
SHUT-DOWN – If levelling accuracy is not being maintained.
SHUT-DOWN – If anticreep where provided is not maintaining the car to within 1 inch of the landing.

Pit

SHUT-DOWN or REPAIR / REPLACE (Depending on circumstances) – If pit access ladder is not secure.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If governor rope tension sheave does not have sufficient clearance.
SHUT-DOWN or REPAIR / REPLACE (Depending on circumstances) – If pit steel is corroded to affect its structural integrity.
SHUT-DOWN or REPAIR / REPLACE – If pit has water/oil in it (Refer to pit flooding guideline IPPED0037.)
REPAIR / REPLACE – If Cat 5 test is not complete in accordance with requirement 8.6.5.16.4, Plunger gripper.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If Cat 5 test is not complete in accordance with requirement 8.6.5.16.5, Overspeed valve.

Inside of Car

REPAIR / REPLACE – If emergency systems (alarm, lighting, communication, ventilation) have not been maintained as per requirement 8.6.4.15.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If alarm does not sound if the alarm or emergency stop button is activated.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If the in-car communication is not operative.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If the in-car communication shall go to a 24-hour-per-day authorized person.
SHUT-DOWN – If door open button is not operative.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If any function of Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 recall operation is not operative.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If when on Firefighter's Emergency Operation, the in-car door buttons shall be operative.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If stopping accuracy has not been maintained as per requirement 8.6.4.16.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If Cat 1 test is not complete in accordance with requirement 8.6.4.19.6 for Firefighter’s Emergency Operation.
REPAIR / REPLACE – If Cat 1 test is not complete in accordance with requirement 8.6.4.19.7 for standby/emergency power/emergency lowering. See Advisory 276-18r1 for options when testing.
SHUT-DOWN – If electrical box cover missing from inside the car, shock hazard.

Contact(s)