Elevator Code (CSA B44)

How the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, CSA B44, is organized, adopted and enforced in British Columbia by Technical Safety BC, and how a mechanic reads and applies it: the code's parts and numbering, adoption and editions, hoistways, pits and refuge spaces, machine rooms and control spaces, car enclosures and capacity, suspension, safeties, governors and buffers, electrical requirements with the Canadian Electrical Code, accessibility, emergency operation, communication and seismic requirements, and repairs, replacements and alterations, ending with a code review of a modernization package.

ELV-410 12 lessons · 4 h 16 min ▶ Video lessons coming soon

Offered by HSM University · Elevators

This is the Canadian version of this course. See the American version.

What you'll learn

Explain what the elevator code is, why it exists, who uses it and how its requirements, exceptions, definitions and appendices are written
Find requirements quickly using the parts, sections and clause numbering of the code, follow cross-references between parts, and distinguish interpretations, cases and commentary
Describe how the code is adopted and enforced in the jurisdiction, determine which edition applies to a given elevator, and explain permits, licences and the authority's role
Survey a hoistway and pit against the code's requirements for enclosures, openings, clearances, runbys, pit access and refuge spaces, and sort the findings correctly
Apply the code's requirements for machinery spaces, machine rooms, control spaces and control rooms, including security, headroom, lighting, working space, environment and guarding
Check a car enclosure, platform and capacity against the code, including materials, ventilation, lighting, exits, inside net platform area and loading classes
Explain the code requirements for suspension means, safeties, governors, ascending car overspeed and unintended movement protection, counterweights, buffers and brakes
Apply the elevator code and the electrical code together to disconnects, separate lighting circuits, control circuits, fire alarm interfaces and standby power
Check elevator fixtures, door timing, car size and emergency communication against the accessibility requirements that apply in the jurisdiction
Explain the code's requirements for emergency communication, standby power, firefighters' emergency operation, evacuation features and seismic protection
Classify work on existing equipment as maintenance, repair, replacement or alteration, and identify the related requirements, permits, tests and plates an alteration brings
Review an alteration package against the adopted code, record clear findings, resolve them with the owner and the authority, and prepare the package for submission

Course content

12 lessons · 4 h 16 min total · final exam

1 Why elevators have a code 22 min · quiz
2 How the code is organized 21 min · quiz
3 Codes, regulations and the authority having jurisdiction 21 min · quiz
4 Hoistways, pits and enclosures 21 min · quiz
5 Machinery spaces, machine rooms and control spaces 21 min · quiz
6 Car enclosures, platforms and capacity 21 min · quiz
7 Suspension, safeties, governors and buffers in the code 21 min · quiz
8 Electrical requirements and the electrical code 22 min · quiz
9 Accessibility requirements for elevators 21 min · quiz
10 Emergency operation, communication and seismic requirements 22 min · quiz
11 Alterations, repairs and replacements 21 min · quiz
12 Capstone: a code review of an alteration package 22 min · quiz
E Final exam 20 questions

Requirements

ELV-320 Doors and Safety Devices

Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.