Elevators and Lifts

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Classes of elevating devices include passenger and freight elevators, escalators, lifts for persons with physical disabilities, dumbwaiters, manlifts, material lifts, personnel and material hoists, special elevating devices and passenger ropeways.

Summary

Elevators and lifts are an essential part of our daily lives. Licensing who can operate a device and making sure maintenance is done according to applicable safety codes keep these devices safe for use.

Licensing

All elevating devices require an operating license. This license ensures the device meets the Nova Scotia Elevators and Lifts Act and General Regulations, as well as applicable safety codes and standards. All elevating device licences expire on December 31.

Any work performed on elevators and lifts must be completed by a registered contractor who employs licensed mechanics.

Certificate of competency

No one is permitted to construct, install, alter, repair, maintain, service, inspect, examine, or test an elevating device unless they hold a certificate of competency issued under the Act, or they are a mechanic in training supervised by a person who holds a certificate of competency. [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 5]

Elevating device maintenance, installation, alteration, or operation

All activities associated with elevators and lifts must comply with the applicable safety code(s).

Annual condition reports are required as part of the equipment license renewal process. These reports are completed by registered elevator and lift contractors. Compliance audits are carried out by licenced elevator inspectors who follow the applicable standards.

The owner of an elevating device must make sure:

That the device is used, operated, and maintained in a manner that: [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s. 27(1)]

Safeguards individuals and freight on or near the device and
Does not cause the device to travel beyond or deviate from the safe limits of its fixed position or line of travel.

The device is not used or operated unless it is maintained by a registered contractor. [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 6(1)] The owner of an elevating device is not allowed to operate or permit it unless it is licensed under the Act. [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 16]
Work such as maintenance, service, repairs, inspections, examinations, or tests on licensed elevating devices must be performed by or directly supervised by a qualified mechanic holding a certificate of competency. [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 6(3)]

The registered contractor must: [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 6(2)]

Employ personnel who hold a certificate of competency,
Comply with the Act and the safety regulations, and
Make sure that all work on elevating devices, including construction, installation, alteration, repair, maintenance, inspection, examination, or testing, is conducted in accordance with the applicable safety codes.

No person:

Will operate or allow an elevating device to be operated if it is believed to be unsafe, and it must not be operated in an unsafe manner. [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 17(1)(2)]
Will operate a device when the load is in excess of its licensed maximum capacity. [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 18]
Will allow a new installation or major alteration of an elevating device to begin until the drawings and specifications of the installation and alteration have been registered by the Chief Inspector, and an installation permit has been issued. [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 12(1)]
All submitted drawings and specifications must be stamped by a professional engineer registered in the province and include the engineer’s statement confirming that the proposed elevating device was designed and manufactured to meet all requirements of the applicable safety codes. [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 12(3)]

The Chief Inspector must, if the submissions for the proposed new installation or major alteration comply with the Act and the regulations: [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 12(4)]

register the documents,
issue an installation permit, and
return one set of drawings and specifications to the person who submitted them.

In general

Any new installation, major alteration or maintenance of an elevating device must comply with the following safety codes, as applicable and amended from time to time: [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s. 3]

CSA Standard B44, Safety Code for Elevators,
CSA Standard Z185, Safety Code for Personnel Hoists,
CSA Standard Z256, Safety Code for Material Hoists,
CSA Standard B311, Safety Code for Manlifts,
CSA Standard B355, Safety Code for Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities,
CSA Standard Z98, Passenger Ropeways,
CSA Standard B44.1, Elevators and Escalators Electrical Equipment,
CSA Standard C22.1, Canadian Electrical Code Part 1, Safety Standards for Electrical Installations,
ASME standard A17.2, “Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators and Moving Walkways.

Capacity

The maximum capacity of an elevating device is determined by: [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s. 27(2)]

The Chief Inspector, after reviewing the registered drawings and specifications for the installation or major alteration or
The device manufacturer, as specified in the registered drawings and specifications for the installation or major alteration.

The licence for an elevating device must specify its maximum capacity as 1 or more of the following: [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s. 27(3)]

Total number of persons;
Total weight (kilograms or pounds); or
Number of persons per hour.

Conduct in or about elevating devices

No person is:

Allowed to act in or around an elevating device in a manner that: [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s. 28]

Impairs its safe operation or
Endangers their own safety or that of another person or any freight.

Allowed to remove, displace, interfere with, or damage any device installed in or around an elevating device unless they are the following performing testing or repairs: [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s. 29(1)]

An inspector;
A registered contractor; or
A mechanic.

When a safety device is removed, displaced, interfered with, or damaged, allowed to: [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s. 29(2)]

Operate the elevating device for any purpose other than inspection, testing or repair until the safety device has been restored to proper working order.
Conduct the test or repair using the necessary actions to prevent the elevating device from being entered, used, or operated.
Unless authorized by an inspector, allowed to break or remove an inspector’s seal on a safety device or one placed to seal an elevating device out of service. [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s. 28(4)]

If necessary, emergency personnel may remove, displace, interfere with, or damage any device installed in or around an elevating device to perform an emergency rescue. [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s. 29(3)]

Notices

The owner of an elevating device must: [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s.30]

Make sure that a notice of the maximum capacity of the device is conspicuously displayed:

In the load-carrying unit, or
As close as practicable to the bottom landing of the device if there is no single load-carrying unit.

Mount the maximum capacity notice on a metal plate, in letters and numerals measuring at least ¾ in (19.05 mm) high, stating the maximum capacity in number of persons, weight in kilograms or pounds, or number of persons per hour. If the maximum capacity is displayed on the licence in more than one manner, the notice must include all expressions in the following form:

MAXIMUM CAPACITY: [Number] PERSONS OR [Number] KG or LBS OR [Number] PERSONS PER HOUR

Provide the notice and metal plate.
Make sure that the metal plate provided by the Chief Inspector indicating the assigned installation number is:

Securely fastened, and
Conspicuously displayed on the device

Make sure no one is allowed to operate or permit the operation of an elevating device unless the required notices are displayed as per the requirements.

In addition to the required notices outlined above, the owner of a freight elevator must provide and display a notice in a conspicuous location in the car or the load-carrying unit of the elevator. The notice should be written in letters at least 1 in. (25.4 mm) high: [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s.31]

“THIS IS NOT A PASSENGER ELEVATOR
NO PERSONS OTHER THAN
THE OPERATOR AND FREIGHT HANDLERS
ARE PERMITTED TO RIDE ON THIS ELEVATOR”

No person is allowed to operate or permit the operation of a freight elevator unless the required notice is properly displayed. [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s.31(3)]

If a notice required by Section 30 or 31 is lost, mislaid, or damaged to an unusable condition, a replacement notice can be supplied upon payment of a fee specified in Schedule A of the Regulation. [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, s.32] [N.S. Reg. 46/2003, Schedule A]

Safety Notifications

An alert informs stakeholders of imminent danger to a safety issue, that if not addressed, will likely lead to health and safety consequences.
A bulletin informs stakeholders about non-imminent danger practices or procedures, which may have a level of safety risk if not addressed as soon as possible.
A manufacturer safety bulletin, documentation issued by the equipment manufacturer, informs stakeholders about non-imminent danger practices or procedures, which may have a level of safety risk if not addressed as soon as possible.
A directive informs stakeholders of an interpretation or application of the act, regulations, or standards of the regulation, which require action. A directive is legally binding and must be followed by the affected stakeholder.
A notice is to provide stakeholders with informative, non-urgent, proactive communication on a safety issue.

Notices can be viewed on the Elevators and Lifts page.

Accidents

The owner must: [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 13(1) and (2)]

Where an elevating device falls freely, the emergency supporting devices engage, or an accident causing injury to a person occurs on or near an elevating device, provide the Chief Inspector with a written notice with all the details within twenty-four hours.
If an accident occurs with an elevating device, resulting in death or potentially fatal injuries, immediately notify the Chief Inspector. No one is permitted to interfere with, disturb, destroy, carry away, or alter any wreckage, article, or thing at the scene of or connected with the accident except when given permission by an inspector.

Upon being notified, the Chief Inspector must investigate to determine the cause of the accident. [S.N.S. 2002, c. 4, s. 13(3)]

ELEVATORS AND LIFTS ACT

S.N.S. 2002, c. 4

Section 5

5. No person shall construct, install, alter, repair, maintain, service, inspect, examine or test an elevating device unless that person

(a) holds a certificate of competency issued under this Act; or

(b) is a mechanic in training under the supervision of a person who holds a certificate of competency.

Section 6

6. (1) No owner of an elevating device shall permit the use or operation of the device unless arrangements have been made by the owner for the device to be maintained by a registered contractor.

(2) A registered contractor referred to in subsection (1) shall

(a) be registered under this Act;

(b) employ persons who have been issued a certificate of competency under this Act;

(d) construct, install, alter, repair, maintain, service, inspect, examine or test an elevating device in accordance with the applicable safety codes.

(3) Maintenance, service, repairs, inspections, examinations or tests on licensed elevating devices shall be carried out or directly supervised by a qualified mechanic who holds a certificate of competency under this Act.

Section 12

12. (1) No person shall commence a new installation or a major alteration of an elevating device until the drawings and specifications of the installation or alteration have been registered by the Chief Inspector and an installation permit has been issued.

(2) The drawings and specifications shall be submitted in duplicate and shall furnish full information as to the size, composition and arrangement of the proposed new installation or major alteration, as well as any information required by the applicable safety codes.

(3) All drawings and specifications submitted shall be stamped by a professional engineer registered in the Province and shall include the engineer's statement that the proposed elevating device was designed and manufactured to meet all requirements of the applicable safety codes.

(4) Where the documents for the proposed new installation or major alteration comply with this Act and the regulations, the documents shall be registered by the Chief Inspector, an installation permit shall be issued and one set of drawings and specifications returned to the person who submitted them.

Section 13

13. (1) Where an elevating device falls freely, where the emergency supporting devices have engaged or where an accident that causes injury to any person occurs on or about an elevating device, the owner shall give notice in writing with full particulars to the Chief Inspector within twenty-four hours.

(2) Where an accident occurs in connection with an elevating device that results in the death of any person or in injuries that may result in the death of any person, the owner shall give notice immediately after the accident to the Chief Inspector and no person shall, except for the purpose of saving life or relieving human suffering, interfere with, disturb, destroy, carry away or alter any wreckage, article or thing at the scene of or connected with the accident until permission is given by an inspector.

(3) On receipt of a notice pursuant to subsection (1) or (2), the Chief Inspector shall cause an investigation to be made to determine the cause of the occurrence or accident.

Section 16

16. No owner of an elevating device shall operate the device or cause or permit it to be operated unless it is licensed under this Act.

Section 17

17. (1) No person shall operate an elevating device or cause or permit it to be operated if that person has reason to believe that it is in an unsafe condition.

(2) No person shall operate an elevating device or cause or permit it to be operated in an unsafe manner.

Section 18

18. No person shall operate an elevating device or cause or permit it to be operated with a load in excess of its maximum capacity as designated in the licence.

Elevators and Lifts General Regulations

N.S. Reg. 46/2003

Section 3 Prescribed safety codes

3. (1) The new installation, major alteration or maintenance of an elevating device must be conducted in accordance with the following safety codes, as applicable:

(a) CSA Standard B44 , Safety Code for Elevators, as amended from time to time;

(b) CSA Standard Z185 , Safety Code for Personnel Hoists, as amended from time to time;

(d) CSA Standard B311 , Safety Code for Manlifts, as amended from time to time;

(e) CSA Standard B355 , Safety Code for Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities, as amended from time to time;

(f) CSA Standard Z98 , Passenger Ropeways, as amended from time to time;

(g) CSA Standard B613 , Private Residence Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities, as amended from time to time;

(h) CSA Standard B44.1 , Elevators and Escalators Electrical Equipment, as amended from time to time;

(i) CSA Standard C22.1 , Canadian Electrical Code Part 1, Safety Standards for Electrical Installations, as amended from time to time;

(j) ASME standard A17.2, "Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators and Moving Walkways", as amended;

(k) ASME standard QEI-1-2004, "Standard for Qualification of Elevator Inspectors", as amended.

(2) Despite subsection (1), the Chief Inspector may accept another safety code that provides for a standard of safety equal to or greater than the standard of safety provided for in a safety code prescribed in subsection (1).

[N.S. Reg. 218/2005, s. 3]

Section 27 Requirements for use, operation and maintenance of elevating devices

27. (1) An owner of an elevating device must ensure that the elevating device

(a) is used or operated, or permitted to be used or operated so that

(i) the safety of persons and freight on or near it is ensured, and

(ii) it will not travel beyond, or deviate from, the safe limits of its fixed position or proper line of travel;

(b) is maintained so that

(i) the safety of persons and freight on or near it is ensured, and

(ii) it will not travel beyond, or deviate from, the safe limits of its fixed position or proper line of travel.

(2) The maximum capacity of an elevating device is as

(a) determined by the Chief Inspector following a review of the drawings and specifications that have been registered for the installation or major alteration of the elevating device; or

(b) specified by its manufacturer and set out in the drawings and specifications that have been registered for the installation or major alteration of the elevating device.

(3) The licence for an elevating device must designate the maximum capacity of the elevating device as 1 or more of the following:

(a) the total number of persons;

(b) the total weight in kilograms or pounds;

(4) The owner of an unlicenced elevating device, except a new installation during its construction phase, must ensure that

(a) a seal is placed on the elevating device by an inspector to seal the elevating device out of service; and

(b) the elevating device remains sealed at all times.

[N.S. Reg. 218/2005, s. 11]

Section 28 Conduct of persons in or about elevating devices

28. No person shall act in or about an elevating device in a manner that may

(a) impair the safe operation of the elevating device; or

(b) endanger their safety or the safety of another person or any freight.

Section 29

29. (1) No person shall remove, displace, interfere with, or damage any device installed in or about an elevating device for its safe operation, unless required to do so by

(a) an inspector;

(b) a registered contractor; or

for the purpose of making a test or repair.

(2) If a safety device has been removed, displaced, interfered with, or damaged, either under or in violation of subsection (1),

(a) the elevating device must not be entered, used or operated for any purpose other than inspection, testing, or repair, until the safety device has been restored to good working order, and

(b) the owner, the inspector who is making the inspection, or the registered contractor or mechanic who is making the test or repair must take such action as they consider necessary to prevent the elevating device from being entered, used or operated except as permitted by clause (a).

(3) Despite subsection (1), emergency personnel may remove, displace, interfere with or damage any device installed in or about an elevating device or interfere with its safe operation, if it is for the sole purpose of permitting them to perform an emergency rescue.

(4) A person must not break or remove an inspector's seal that is on a safety device or that is placed to seal an elevating device out of service unless an inspector has authorized them to do so.

[N.S. Reg. 218/2005, s. 12]

Section 30 Notices to be displayed in an elevating device

30. (1) An owner of an elevating device must ensure that a notice respecting the maximum capacity of the elevating device is conspicuously displayed

(a) in the load-carrying unit of the elevating device; or

(b) for an elevating device without a single load-carrying unit, as close as practicable to the bottom landing of the device.

(2) The notice respecting maximum capacity must be mounted by means of a metal plate and be in the following form, in letters and numerals not less than 3/4 in. (19.05 mm) high:

Table

MAXIMUM CAPACITY

[numeral representing number of persons, weight in kilograms or pounds, or number of persons per hour, as applicable]

["PERSONS", "KG" or "LBS", or "PERSONS PER HOUR", as applicable]

(3) Despite subsection (2), if the maximum capacity of an elevating device is designated on the licence in more than one manner, the notice required by subsection (1) must include all expressions of the maximum capacity, in the following form:

MAXIMUM CAPACITY

[numeral] PERSONS

[numeral] ["KG" or "LBS", as applicable]

[numeral] PERSONS PER HOUR

(4) An owner is responsible for providing the notice and metal plate for mounting the notice as required by subsections (1), (2) and (3).

(5) An owner of an elevating device must ensure that the metal plate provided by the Chief Inspector that contains notice of the installation number assigned for the elevating device is securely fastened and conspicuously displayed on the device.

(6) No person shall use or operate, or cause or permit to be used or operated, an elevating device unless the notices required by this Section are displayed in accordance with this Section.

[N.S. Reg. 218/2005, s. 14]

Section 31 Additional notice to be displayed in a freight elevator

31. (1) In addition to the notices required by Section 30, an owner of a freight elevator must display a notice in a conspicuous place in the car or other load-carrying unit of the freight elevator, in the following form and in letters not less than 1 in. (25.4 mm) high:

THIS IS NOT A PASSENGER ELEVATOR NO PERSONS OTHER THAN THE OPERATOR AND FREIGHT-HANDLERS ARE PERMITTED TO RIDE ON THIS ELEVATOR

(2) An owner is responsible for providing the notice required by this Section.

(3) No person shall use or operate, or cause or permit to be used or operated, a freight elevator unless the notice required by this Section is displayed in accordance with this Section.

Section 32 Lost or mislaid notice

32. If a notice required by Section 30 or 31 is lost or mislaid, or so damaged that it is unusable, a replacement may be supplied upon payment of the applicable fee prescribed in Schedule A.

Schedule A Prescribed Fees

((Elevators and Lifts Act))

Table

Item	Nature of Fee or Circumstance	Amount
1	*Grant, renewal or reinstatement of a licence (includes compliance audit), per year, for**
	(a) a passenger elevator............................................................................	$165.90
	(b) a freight elevator.................................................................................	$165.90
	(c) an escalator.........................................................................................	$165.90
	(d) a dumb waiter.....................................................................................	$132.70
	(e) a manlift.............................................................................................	$165.90
	(f) a lift for persons with physical disabilities...........................................	$99.55
	(g) a rope tow...........................................................................................	$199.05
	(h) a pony lift...........................................................................................	$199.05
	(i) a chair ski lift......................................................................................	$530.75
	(j) a T-bar lift..........................................................................................	$464.45
	(k) a gondola lift......................................................................................	$530.75
	(l) a reversible ropeway...........................................................................	$530.75
	(*For a licence for a new installation applied for after September 1 in any year, the fee for the first year is one-half the applicable amount listed.)

2	Transfer of a licence...............................................................................	$66.35

3	Issue or renewal of a certificate of competency, per year.....................	$66.35

4	Issue of an installation permit, for
	(a) a passenger elevator............................................................................	$289.85
	(b) a freight elevator.................................................................................	$289.85
	(c) an escalator.........................................................................................	$289.85
	(d) a dumb waiter.....................................................................................	$289.85
	(e) a manlift.............................................................................................	$289.85
	(f) a lift for persons with physical disabilities...........................................	$128.80
	(g) a rope tow...........................................................................................	$161.05
	(h) a pony lift...........................................................................................	$161.05
	(i) a chair ski lift......................................................................................	$515.30
	(j) a T-bar lift..........................................................................................	$386.50
	(k) a gondola lift......................................................................................	$515.30
	(l) a reversible ropeway...........................................................................	$515.30

5	Initial registration of a contractor, for first year.**..............................	$265.40
	(**For the initial registration of a contractor applied for after September 1 in any year, the fee for the first year is one-half the applicable amount listed.)

6	Registration or renewal of a registration of a contractor after first year, per year.........................	$132.70

7	Any inspection, per hour, of
	(a) a passenger elevator............................................................................	$128.85
	(b) a freight elevator.................................................................................	$128.85
	(c) an escalator.........................................................................................	$128.85
	(d) a dumb waiter.....................................................................................	$128.85
	(e) a manlift.............................................................................................	$128.85
	(f) a lift for persons with physical disabilities...........................................	$64.45
	(g) a rope tow...........................................................................................	$128.85
	(h) a pony lift...........................................................................................	$128.85
	(i) a chair ski lift......................................................................................	$128.85
	(j) a T-bar lift..........................................................................................	$128.85
	(k) a gondola lift......................................................................................	$128.85
	(l) a reversible ropeway...........................................................................	$128.85

8	Fee for a duplicate of a lost, mislaid or damaged
	(a) licence................................................................................................	$66.35
	(b) certificate of competency....................................................................	$66.35
	(c) notice (metal plate-mounted, or label).................................................	$66.35