by: Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP One hundred and sixty years ago, Elisha Otis invented the first braking mechanism for the elevator, which made vertical travel within a building feasible and safe. A little over forty years later, the gearless traction elevator was developed, which allowed movement in buildings of significant height. Thus, along with the advent of inexpensive materials and advanced engineering and construction methods, the automatic elevator became a pivotal step that led to the surge of high-rise construction in the United States. Since its introduction, the elevator has seen numerous advancements, but its purpose remains the same: moving people between floors of multi-story buildings efficiently and safely. Like other systems within a building, elevators are regulated by the building code. In the International Building Code (IBC)1, Chapter 30 establishes the primary criteria for elevators, while other sections of the IBC supplement the primary criteria with special provisions, such as requirements for accessible means of egress, elevator lobbies, and shaft enclosures for hoistways. In addition to the provisions in the IBC, elevators must also comply with the requirements in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators2, and ICC/ANSI A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities3, which are referenced by the IBC. Read More...
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