Elevator Maintenance Regulatory Changes in Ontario

Changes are coming in January 1, 2023 in Ontario that affect building owners and managers regarding the maintenance of their elevators. See below for a quick summary of the changes.

B44-19 CAD Monthly FEO Testing

As of January 1st, 2023, all elevators equipped with FEO (Firefighters’ Emergency Operation) in Ontario must be tested monthly.

Testing of both the recall operation (Phase I) and emergency in-car operation (Phase II) of each elevator is required.

This new requirement does not necessarily need to be satisfied by elevator contractors though; authorized personnel are permitted to complete the monthly tests.

A record of these monthly tests must be available to TSSA inspectors and elevator personnel. Any deficiencies noted during testing need to be reported to the elevator maintenance contractor. A list of authorized personnel as well as their training records should also be available to TSSA inspectors.

Note that this new requirement for monthly FEO testing is unlikely to be covered under most existing contracts.

KJA can supply sample checklists to meet this monthly testing requirement as well as training for building personnel. Let us know if you are interested.

TSSA Compliance Standards

The TSSA has introduced new “Compliance Standards” which will come into effect in 2023.

Notably, the Compliance Standards introduce a new list of high-risk items requiring shutting down elevators during periodic inspections, as well as an expanded list of deficiencies requiring correction within 14 days.

This new program is likely to result in elevators being shut down more frequently for non-compliance or enforcement reasons than in recent years, as well as shorter compliance periods for other deficiencies.

The TSSA has also changed certain enforcement practices, notably by eliminating follow-up inspections except when high-risk deficiencies are noted. The onus is therefore on the owner/facility manager to track completion of deficiencies.

In general, the changes place a greater burden on owners and facility managers to ensure compliance with code requirements and avoid elevator shut-downs.

Other Changes

Apart from the previously noted items, the maintenance requirements in the B44-19 do not change significantly from the previous requirements in Ontario.

Maintenance intervals for elevators can’t exceed three months, and certain systems (such as suspension means and door systems) have prescriptive intervals.

See below a select list of other changes in Ontario that are in force as of January 1, 2023:

• Category tests performed late shall not reset anniversary dates;

• Terminal stopping devices and speed limiting devices can be tested at no load;

• Alternative testing for emergency brakes permitted (i.e. no load testing that meets 8.6.11.10 and 2.19.3.2), test tag required (per 8.6.1.7.2);

• Emergency power testing does not need to check for absorption of regenerated power;

• SSPI testing results, including graph, are to be kept in the MCP;

• Daily stopping distance check and sign does not apply to escalators installed under B44-19.

If you want to know more and what this means for you and your operations, don’t hesitate to contact us!