Compliance Standards - Escalator Contractors
IMPORTANT: These Compliance Standards will go into effect on November 1, 2022.
Compliance Standards are lists of high-risk non-compliances associated with various devices that are used as inspection tools by TSSA Inspectors during periodic inspections. For more information, visit Compliance Standards - What, Why and Benefits.
Escalator maintenance contractors and certificate holders are responsible for full compliance of escalators in accordance with the following regulations:
- Ontario Regulation 209/01: Elevating Devices
- Ontario Regulation 222/01: Certification and Training of Elevating Device Mechanics
- Elevating Devices Code Adoption Document Amendment 277-19 as well as all applicable Director's Orders
- ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44:19– Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
Important Note re: Barricades
When contractors complete any work on an escalator, they must ensure barricades or other guards are placed around the escalators or moving walks and shall be so secured in place as to prevent any passerby from gaining access to the escalator or moving walk by simple actions, such as lifting and pushing the barricade aside or by stepping* over the barricade whenever work is completed on the device.
*Note: Based on the Ontario Building Code [re: guards], barricades of at least 1,070 millimetres (42 inches) in height should meet the intent of this part of the requirement.
Incident Reporting
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Incident reporting is required by law - Director's Guideline #230/09.
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In the case of death, serious injury or immediate hazard, call TSSA at 1-877-682-8772.
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Report all incidents to TSSA by email at ed-incident@tssa.org and call TSSA at 1-877-682-8772.
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Consult the Incident Reporting Guidelines and submit the required Incident Reporting Form.
Escalator Compliance Standards
The components listed below are high-risk items that must be inspected regularly to ensure public safety. For convenience, these items are summarized on the Escalator Compliance Standard Summary Checklist for Maintenance Contractors and Certificate Holders.
- During periodic inspections, TSSA will be checking these high-risk items and orders will be issued for non-compliance.
- In some circumstances, orders may be issued where high-risk safety hazards are discovered which are not identified in this standard.
- The maintenance contractor or certificate holder must complete the established maintenance control program and ensure all items remain in compliance.
- In the event a high-risk item is found to be deficient, as noted below, the escalator must be SHUT DOWN. Remove the escalator from service and repair before putting it back into service. Repairs can be done immediately during the maintenance unless it is a reportable incident according to the Incident Reporting Guidelines. A TSSA Supervisor, Incident Management Specialist or Investigator can authorize an immediate repair even if it is a reportable incident.
- As noted below, components marked REPAIR / REPLACE must be fixed or replaced as required.
High-Risk Items Must be Inspected Regularly to Ensure Public Safety
Download Escalator Components Illustration
Stop Switches
In accordance with the annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.2:
- SHUT DOWN - If any machinery space stop switch is inoperative.
- SHUT DOWN - If any emergency stop button is inoperative.
Controller
In accordance with the annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.3:
- SHUT DOWN - If any electrical protection device is inoperative.
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If there are defects in controllers or wiring.
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If any controller wires are not properly inserted into terminal blocks.
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If any bare live wire is not guarded against contact.
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If there is debris in any controller cabinet.
Brakes
- REPAIR/REPLACE - If the brake data plate is not posted or legible.
- REPAIR/REPLACE - If the brake adjustment procedure is not posted or does not contain detailed instructions for setting the brakes.
In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.12:
- REPAIR/REPLACE - If maintenance has been completed on the brakes and any of the following have been discovered to be damaged or not operating properly:
- Residual/antimagnetic pads
- Lining and running clearances
- Pins and levers
- Springs
- Sleeves and guide bushings
- Disks and drums
- Brake coil and plunger
- REPAIR/REPLACE - If all manufacturer specified maintenance has not been performed.
- REPAIR/REPLACE - If the drive machine brake test demonstrated non-compliance and is not documented in the logbook. The drive machine brake test must be performed when any part of the brake that may affect the brake's holding capacity is replaced or adjusted.
In accordance with annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.4:
- SHUT DOWN - If the drive machine brake torque exceeds the maximum torque indicated on the brake data tag.
- SHUT DOWN - If the no-load down stopping distance is more than the maximum stated on the brake data tag.
- For escalators using dynamic braking:
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the written test procedure is not posted.
- SHUT DOWN - If the deceleration and/or stopping distance did not comply with the posted requirements.
Reminder for Montgomery HR escalators with a DC shoe-type brake
In accordance with Kone Montgomery HR Escalator DC Brake Adjustment Alert 220/07:
- Perform the brake slide test on each visit and record the empty slide distance in the logbook.
- Ensue that oil drip guard is installed over the brake shoes (prevents oil contamination of the brake shoe).
- Record the brake wear reserve gap in the logbook.
Escalator Speed Monitoring Device (Speed Governor)/Reversal Stop Device
In accordance with annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.5/ 8.6.8.15.7:
- SHUT DOWN - If the escalator speed monitoring device (speed governor) or the reversal-stop devices are inoperative.
Drive-Chain Device (Broken Drive-Chain Device)
In accordance with the annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.6:
- SHUT DOWN - If the broken drive-chain device is inoperative or does not actuate the brake on the main drive shaft (emergency brake).
Broken Step Chain Device
In accordance with annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.8:
- SHUT DOWN - If the broken step chain device or the tension carriage does not have free motion.
Steps
In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.6:
- SHUT DOWN - If any steps are cracked or dented, have sharp edges, damaged risers, improper engagement, broken treads or non-compliant widths and depth slots.
In accordance with the annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.9/8.6.8.15.10/8.6.8.15.11/8.6.8.15.12/8.6.8.15.15:
- SHUT DOWN - If the step up-thrust device, the missing step device or the step level device are inoperative or do not have a manual reset. Note: A step-up thrust manual reset is only required for installations in accordance with 2019 or later editions of the codes.
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the steps, step chain, and trusses have structural defects, have a buildup of combustible materials or are not in good mechanical condition.
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the clearance between successive steps is more than 6 millimeters (0.25 inches).
Skirt Panels and Skirt Obstruction Devices
In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.5:
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the balustrades are damaged.
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the balustrade fasteners have burrs or snag points.
- SHUT DOWN - If the gap between balustrades exceeds 5 millimetres (3/16 inch).
In accordance with the annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.19/8.6.8.15.20/8.6.8.15.25:
- SHUT DOWN - If the skirt obstruction device is improperly adjusted or inoperative (required to be a manual reset when installed in accordance with 2019 code or later editions of the code).
- SHUT DOWN - If the step to skirt gap exceeds the required tolerances in Table 1.
- SHUT DOWN - If the SSPI test results in the logbook do not comply with allowable tolerances in Table 1.
| B44 Code |
Index without Skirt Deflector |
Index with Skirt Deflector |
Skirt-Step Clearance / Loaded Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| B44-1960 through B44S3-1982 |
≤ 0.15 |
≤ 0.4 |
≤ 4.8 millimetres each side / 6.4 millimetres total |
| B44-1985 through B44S2-1998 |
≤ 0.15 |
≤ 0.4 |
≤ 4 millimetres each side / 7 millimetres total |
| CSA B44-00 |
≤ 0.15 |
≤ 0.4 |
≤ 4 millimetres each side / 7 millimetres total |
| CSA B44-00 Update 1 and later editions |
≤ 0.15 |
≤ 0.25 |
Loaded gap (25 pound-force) force ≤ 5 millimetres |
Combplates
In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.4:
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If all comb sections are not properly mounted, are cracked or have broken teeth.
- SHUT DOWN - If combplate teeth are not in good condition or two adjacent teeth are missing.
- SHUT DOWN - If the combs do not mesh with the slots in the step surface so that the points of the teeth are always below the upper surface of the treads.
In accordance with the annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.18:
- SHUT DOWN - If any comb impact devices do not trip and shut the unit down when the forces specified in Table 2 are applied in the direction of travel.
- SHUT DOWN - If the activation of the comb impact device does not have a manual reset.
| Code Addition | Horizontal Force Either Side |
Horizontal Force |
Vertical Force Centre |
| Prior to 1990 | No Requirement | ||
| 1990 through 1998 | 500 N/112 lbf | 1000 N/225 lbf | No Requirement |
| 2000 | 500 N/112 lbf | 1000 N/225 lbf | 670 N/150 lbf |
| 2004 and later editions | 1,780 N400 lbf | 3,560 N/800 lbf | 670 N/150 lbf |
Landings - Entrance and Egress Ends
In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.14:
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the upper and lower landing plates have tripping hazards or are not maintained to provide a firm foothold.
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the landing plates are not secured in place as per design.
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the entrance and exit safety zones are obstructed.
Handrails
In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.1:
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If handrails are damaged or cracked.
- SHUT DOWN - If handrails have pinch hazards.
- SHUT DOWN - If handrail speed does not match the speed of the steps.
- SHUT DOWN - If the hand or finger guards (at handrail entry) are damaged.
In accordance with annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.13:
- SHUT DOWN - If the handrail entry device is inoperative.
- SHUT DOWN - If either the handrail speed monitoring device or stopped handrail device are inoperative.
Deck Barricades
In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.10:
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the outer deck barricades are not in place or are damaged.
Guarding
In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.9:
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the ceiling guards are not in place or are damaged.
Be Safe, Not Sorry Escalator Safety Videos |
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| TSSA's Be Safe, Not Sorry escalator safety videos illustrate some of the most common hazards associated with escalator rider behaviour. |
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| No Strollers |
Mind Your Children |
Mind Your Manners |
Loose Clothing |
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