Elevators & Lifts

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Elevators & Lifts

October 8, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
No Comments

The first elevator in the United States was installed at Harvard University in 1874. It was not a passenger elevator as we typically think of today, but rather a freight elevator used to move heavy items within a building. The installation of this elevator marked an important development in building technology and transportation within multi-story structures. It was based on the design of Elisha Otis, who is famous for inventing the safety elevator with a safety brake system that prevents the elevator from falling if the hoisting cable fails. Otis’ innovation played a pivotal role in making elevators safe and practical for everyday use, leading to their widespread adoption in buildings around the world.

Elevator design by the German engineer Konrad Kyeser (1405)

Education communities are stewards of 100’s of lifts, elevators and moving walks.  At the University of Michigan, there are the better part of 1000 of them; with 19 of them in Michigan Stadium alone.   The cost of building them — on the order of $50,000 to $150,000 per floor depending upon architectural styling — and the highly trained staff needed to operate, maintain and program interoperability software is another cost that requires attention.   All building design and construction disciplines — architectural, mechanical and electrical have a hand in making this technology safe and sustainabile.

We start with international and nationally developed best practice literature and work our way to state level adaptations.  Labor for this technology is heavily regulated.

Its a rarefied and crazy domain for the user-interest.  Expertise is passionate about safety and idiosyncratic but needs to be given the life safety hazard.  Today we review o pull together public consultation notices on relevant codes, standards and regulations today  11 AM/EDT.

Московский государственный университет имени

Elevators 500

More

NFPA 70 Article 620 Elevators, etc.

NEC Article 620 | David Herres

Elevator U

International Building Code Chapter 30: Elevators and Conveying Systems

Inside Higher Ed: Tragedy in an Elevator

Jimlielevators

University of Michigan Elevator Recall Control Wiring Schematic

University of Michigan Elevator Shaft Lighting Schematic

 

Elevators and Conveying Systems

October 8, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
No Comments

Latest 2024 / 2025 / 2026 Code Development: Group B Documents

Partial selection of topics:

ADM39-25 IFC: 105.6.26 (New) | p 224

G52-25 403.6.1 Fire service access elevator | p 556

SECTION 3003 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS | p 557

TABLE 403.6.1 AMBULANCE STRETCHER-SIZED ELEVATOR CAR

Add new standards EN 8, EN 77 (Seismic condition design) and ISO 8002 | p 758

SECTION 3006 ELEVATOR LOBBIES AND HOISTWAY OPENING PROTECTION | p 762

3002.3 Emergency signs | p 765

3002.4 Elevator car to accommodate ambulance stretcher. | p 774

(To be continued)

Variations in Backup Power Requirements for Elevators

Group B Proposed Changes 2024 Editions Complete Monograph (2630 Pages)

The International Code Council bibliography of elevator safety practice incorporates titles published by American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the National Fire Protection Association and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.  The relevant section of the International Building Code is therefore relatively short and linked below.

2021 International Building Code: Chapter 30 Elevators and Conveying Systems

The 2021 IBC is the current edition but committees are now forming to developed the 2024 revision according to the schedule in the link below:

2024/2025/2026 ICC CODE DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE

2024 GROUP A PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE I-CODES

Comments on changes to the Group A tranche of titles will be heard in Long Beach California, October 23-31st. 

IBC Electrical (Outdoor Lighting)

Means of Egress

International Mechanical Code

Elevator Safety Code

October 8, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
No Comments

Elevator,  escalator  and moving walk systems are among the most complicated systems in any urban environment, no less so than on the  #WiseCampus in which many large research universities have 100 to 1000 elevators to safely and economically operate, service and continuously commission.  These systems are regulated heavily at state and local levels of government and have oversight from volunteers that are passionate about their work.

These “movement systems” are absorbed into the Internet of Things transformation.  Lately we have tried to keep pace with the expansion of requirements to include software integration professionals to coordinate the interoperability of elevators, lifts and escalators with building automation systems for fire safety, indoor air quality and disaster management.  Much of work requires understanding of the local adaptations of national building codes.

Some university elevator O&M units use a combination of in-house, manufacturer and standing order contractors to accomplish their safety and sustainability objectives.

In the United States the American Society of Mechanical Engineers is the dominant standards developer of elevator and escalator system best practice titles;  its breakdown of technical committees listed in the link below:

A17 ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORS

STDMi: Elevator Backup Power

C&S Connect: ASME Proposals Available for Public Review

Public consultation on a new standard for electrical inspector qualifications closes May 27th.

ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7 – 20XX, Performance-based code for elevators and escalators (280 pages)

Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators

Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks

Guide for Elevator Seismic Design

As always, we encourage facility managers, elevator shop personnel to participate directly in the ASME Codes & Standards development process.   For example, it would be relatively easy for our colleagues in the Phoenix, Arizona region to attend one or more of the technical committee meetings; ideally with operating data and a solid proposal for improving the A17 suite.

University of Wisconsin Stadium Elevator

 

All ASME standards are on the agenda of our Mechanical, Pathway and Elevator & Lift colloquia.  See our CALENDAR for the next online teleconferences; open to everyone.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

 

Issue: [11-50]

Category: Electrical, Elevators, #WiseCampus

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Jim Harvey, Richard Robben, Larry Spielvogel

 


More:

Bibliography: Elevators, Lifts and Moving Walks

ISO/TC 178 Lifts, escalators and moving walks

Human Factors Using Elevators in Emergency Evacuation

Archive / Elevator Safety Code

 

Power Distribution Units

October 7, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
No Comments

Today we veer (slightly) from our primary interest in interoperability standards to explore the moment in best practice discovery and promulgation in the hardware supporting the artificial intelligence zietgeist. Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Carnegie-Mellon: Planning & Design Considerations for Data Centers

University of Kansas Data Center and Server Room Standards

Power Distribution Units (PDUs) are critical in data centers, serving as the backbone for reliable power management. They distribute electricity from the main power source to servers, networking equipment, and other devices, ensuring consistent and stable power delivery.

PDUs offer features like load balancing, surge protection, and remote monitoring, which optimize energy efficiency and prevent outages. By providing multiple outlets and circuit protection, they safeguard expensive equipment from power fluctuations. Advanced PDUs enable real-time data tracking, aiding in capacity planning and fault detection.

Ultimately, PDUs ensure uptime, operational efficiency, and scalability in data centers.  We track, and sometimes participate, in the standards setting for these organizations develop the key standards that govern PDU design, safety, efficiency, and interoperability, influencing global manufacturing compliance:

UL (Underwriters Laboratories): Establishes safety standards like UL 60950-1 for IT equipment, ensuring PDUs prevent hazards in high-density environments.

IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission): Develops core electrical standards such as IEC 60950-1 and IEC 62368-1 for low-voltage safety and audio/video/IT equipment, critical for PDU power handling.

ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA): Sets efficiency benchmarks for PDUs, promoting low-loss designs to minimize data center energy waste (up to 12% savings).Related:

Data Center Wiring

Energy Standard for Data Centers

Data Center Operations & Maintenance

Power Management For Data Centers Challenges And Opportunities

TIA 92

Uptime Institute

Related:

Gallery: Supercomputers & Data Centers

Data Center Growth

Data Center Research Laboratory

“What Happens When Data Centers Come to Town”

October 7, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com

No Comments

What Happens When Data Centers Come to Town

Terry Nguyen | BA Public Policy

Ben Green |Assistant Professor, School of Information and Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Partner | Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition

Introduction. [Abstract].  The rapid growth of data centers, with their enormous energy and water demands, necessitates targeted policy interventions to mitigate environmental impacts and protect local communities. To address these issues, states with existing data center tax breaks should adopt sustainable growth policies for data centers, mandating energy audits, strict performance standards, and renewable energy integration, while also requiring transparency in energy usage reporting. “Renewable energy additionality” clauses should ensure data centers contribute to new renewable capacity rather than relying on existing resources.  If these measures prove insufficient, states should consider repealing tax breaks to slow unsustainable data center growth. States without tax breaks should avoid such incentives altogether while simultaneously implementing mandatory reporting requirements to hold data centers accountable for their environmental impact. Broader measures should include protecting local tax revenues for schools, regulating utility rate hikes to prevent cost-shifting to consumers, and aligning data center energy demands with state climate goals to avoid prolonging reliance on fossil fuels.

Related:

Sharan Kalwani (Chair, Southeast Michigan Section IEEE): AI and Data Center Demand

Gallery: Other Ways of Knowing Climate Change

 

2029 National Electrical Code

October 7, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com

No Comments

Public input on the 2029 Revision will be received until April 9th. Over the next weeks and months — typically meeting twice a day every Tuesday — we will pull forward our previous proposals and draft original proposals relevant to the education and healthcare electrotechnical infrastructure of educational settlements.  Link to Proposed Reorganization.

Photo at 2723 State Street Office*

Mike was part of the National Electrical Code Quarter Century Club but was at another conference and not able to receive the award at the June conference.  University of Michigan support began in 1993.  IEEE support began in 2014.

*New Office (a short walk across the street) starting October 1: 455 East Eisenhower, Ann Arbor, MI 48108


Current Issues and Recent Research

Today we examine Second Draft transcripts of the Special Equipment Chapter 6 (CMP-12) and product inspection, testing and certification listings that appear Annex A (CMP-1).

 


Once every eighteen months we spend a week drilling into the National Electrical Code by submitting new proposals or comments on proposed revisions.  Today we review the actions taken by the technical committees on the First Draft.   Responses to committee actions will be received until August 26th.

2026 National Electrical Code Workspace


Premise Wiring

Interconnected Electric Power Production Sources “Microgrids”

National Electrical Definitions

Kitchen Wiring

Solarvoltaic PV Systems

Hospital Plug Load

Data Center Wiring

Electrical Inspector Professional Qualifications

Critical Operations Power Systems

Arenas, Lecture Halls & Theaters

Appliances

Emergency and Standby Power Systems

Luminaires, Lampholders, and Lamps

Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System

Art, Design & Fashion Studios

Wiring for Luminaires in High Ceiling Occupancies

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