Safety Code for Elevators & Escalators

Oversight

• The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (AMSE) publishes safety codes for elevators and escalators.
  
  

Safety Features

• This set of safety codes, known as A17, establishes guidelines for construction, installation and maintenance of elevators and escalators in the United States.
  
  

Requirements

• Elevators and escalators must have the safety features required by A17. These safety features may include, but are not limited to, safety brakes, emergency stop buttons and handrails.
  
  

Safety Code Updates

• With annual updates to the code, many elevators and escalators require constant maintenance to adhere to the safety codes.
  
  

Benefits

• Semi-annual inspections and maintenance ensure adherence to codes for increased passenger safety. A code that holds elevator and escalator manufacturers, installers and repairers responsible benefits those who use the elevators and escalators.