Compliance standards are lists of high-risk non-compliances that pose a significant risk to safety. Any high-risk non-compliances should be immediately addressed upon occurrence.
These compliance standards lists for escalator contractors are used by Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) inspectors during periodic inspections.
If a non-compliance is found, a device may be shut down or an order issued to resolve the non-compliance within 14 days. 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.
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Responsibilities of Escalator Maintenance Contractors and Certificate Holders
Escalator maintenance contractors and certificate holders are responsible for full compliance of escalators in accordance with the following regulations:
Elevating Devices Code Adoption Document Amendment 295/22 (pdf)
ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44:19– Safety Code for Elevators and Escalator (csagroup.org)
Ontario Regulation 222/01: Certification and Training of Elevating Device Mechanics
All applicable Director's Orders
All applicable advisories
All applicable manufacturers' bulletins
Incident reporting
An “incident” is defined as a consequence to a person or property.
Incident reporting is required by law – Director’s Guideline #230/00 (pdf).
Promptly report all incidents, accidents, and hazardous conditions (pdf) to the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)
Important Note Regarding 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.
Compliance Standards / High-Risk Items for Escalators
The components listed below are high-risk items that must be inspected regularly to ensure public safety. During the periodic inspection, TSSA will be checking the following items and orders will be issued for non-compliance.
The maintenance contractor or certificate holder must complete the established maintenance control program and ensure all items remain in 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.
For convenience, the high-risk items are summarized on the Escalator Compliance Standard Summary Checklist for Maintenance Contractors and Certificate Holders (pdf).
Download a copy of this escalator components illustration.
General
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| If licence has expired. | REPAIR / REPLACE |
Stop switches
In accordance with the annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.2:
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| If any machinery space stop switch is inoperative. | SHUT DOWN |
| If any emergency stop button is inoperative. | SHUT DOWN |
Controller
In accordance with the annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.3:
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| If any electrical protection device is inoperative. | SHUT DOWN |
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. | REPAIR / REPLACE |
Brakes
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| 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. | REPAIR / REPLACE |
| In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.12: | |
If maintenance has been completed on the brakes and any of the following have been discovered to be damaged or not operating properly:
| 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. | REPAIR / REPLACE |
In accordance with annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.4: | |
| 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. | SHUT DOWN |
| For escalators using dynamic braking: | |
| If the written test procedure is not posted. | REPAIR / REPLACE |
| If the deceleration and/or stopping distance did not comply with the posted requirements. | SHUT DOWN |
Reminder for Montgomery HR escalators with a DC shoe-type brake
In accordance with Kone Montgomery HR Escalator DC Brake Adjustment Alert 220/07 (pdf):
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:
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| If the escalator speed monitoring device (speed governor) or the reversal-stop devices are inoperative. | SHUT DOWN |
Drive-chain device (Broken drive-chain device)
In accordance with the annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.6:
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| If the broken drive-chain device is inoperative or does not actuate the brake on the main drive shaft (emergency brake). | SHUT DOWN |
Broken step chain device
In accordance with annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.8:
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| If the broken step chain device or the tension carriage does not have free motion. | SHUT DOWN |
Steps
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.6: | |
| If any steps are cracked or dented, have sharp edges, damaged risers, improper engagement, broken treads or non-compliant widths and depth slots. | SHUT DOWN |
| 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: | |
| 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. | SHUT DOWN |
| 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). | REPAIR / REPLACE |
Skirt panels and skirt obstruction devices
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.5: | |
If the balustrades are damaged. | REPAIR / REPLACE |
| If the balustrade fasteners have burrs or snag points. | REPAIR / REPLACE |
| If the gap between balustrades exceeds 5 millimetres (3/16 inch). | SHUT DOWN |
| 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: | |
| 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. | SHUT DOWN |
Table 1 – Tolerances
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 |
Comb plates
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.4: | |
| If all comb sections are not properly mounted, are cracked or have broken teeth. | REPAIR / REPLACE |
If comb plate 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. | SHUT DOWN |
| In accordance with the annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.18: | |
| 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. | SHUT DOWN |
Table 2 – Comb plate forces
Code Addition | Horizontal Force | Horizontal Force | Vertical Force |
|---|---|---|---|
Prior to 1990 | No requirement | ||
1990 through 1998 | 500 N/112 lbf | 500 N/112 lbf | 500 N/112 lbf |
2000 | 500 N/112 lbf | 500 N/112 lbf | 500 N/112 lbf |
2004 and later editions | 1,780 N400 lbf | 1,780 N400 lbf | 1,780 N400 lbf |
Landings – entrance and egress ends
In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.14:
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
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. | REPAIR / REPLACE |
Handrails
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.1: | |
| If handrails are damaged or cracked. | REPAIR / REPLACE |
| 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. | SHUT DOWN |
| In accordance with annual Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.15.13: | |
| If the handrail entry device is inoperative. | SHUT DOWN |
If either the handrail speed monitoring device or stopped handrail device are inoperative. | SHUT DOWN |
Deck Barricades
In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.10:
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| If the outer deck barricades are not in place or are damaged. | REPAIR / REPLACE |
Guarding
In accordance with Maintenance Control Program (MCP) requirement 8.6.8.9:
| Issue | Compliance Order |
|---|---|
| If the outer deck barricades are not in place or are damaged. | REPAIR / REPLACE |