Question 1

Under ASME A17.1, what is the maximum car speed at which the governor must trip and set the safeties?

Accepted Answer

ASME A17.1 requires the overspeed governor to trip (activate safeties) at no more than 125% of the rated speed for most electric traction elevators with Type B safeties. The exact trip speed varies by safety type and elevator class. The governor mechanically trips a rope that activates the car safety, bringing the car to a controlled stop.

Question 2

What is the purpose of a pit stop switch (pit emergency stop)?

Accepted Answer

ASME A17.1 requires a stop switch in the elevator pit accessible to workers entering the pit. Opening this switch breaks the safety circuit, preventing the elevator from moving while workers are in the pit. It is a critical lockout/tagout device. The pit stop switch, combined with proper LOTO procedures, protects mechanics from being struck by a moving car.

Question 3

ASME A17.1 requires elevator hoistway doors to be self-closing and self-locking. This means:

Accepted Answer

Hoistway (landing) doors are designed to close under gravity or a spring, and their interlock prevents them from being opened from the landing side unless the car is present within the landing zone (typically ±3 inches from floor level). This prevents passengers from falling into the hoistway. The hoistway door interlock is a critical safety device.

Question 4

Under ASME A17.1, the minimum oil level in a hydraulic elevator's pump unit must be checked as part of:

Accepted Answer

ASME A17.1 specifies maintenance intervals and tasks. Hydraulic fluid (oil) level must be checked and maintained at every periodic maintenance inspection. Low oil can cause slow operation, inability to reach top floor, or uncontrolled descent in some hydraulic systems. The oil level, condition, and any leaks must be documented in the maintenance log.

Question 5

ASME A17.1 requires an annual inspection of an elevator to be performed by:

Accepted Answer

ASME A17.1 requires periodic inspections by a qualified elevator inspector (QEI — Qualified Elevator Inspector, certified by the National Elevator Industry Inc. or equivalent). The inspector issues a certificate of inspection required for continued operation.

Question 6

The emergency lighting in an elevator car must be capable of operating for at least:

Accepted Answer

ASME A17.1 Rule 2.27.3 requires emergency lighting to operate for at least 4 hours in the event of normal power failure, providing illumination to passengers trapped in the car.

Question 7

Under ASME A17.1, the car top clearance (top of car to top of hoistway) must be sufficient to allow:

Accepted Answer

ASME A17.1 Rule 2.4.6 requires minimum top clearance (runby plus working clearance) to protect workers on the car top from being struck by overhead equipment. At least 24 inches of clearance above a person's head in working position is typically required.

Question 8

A governor-activated safety device (car safety) on a traction elevator is designed to stop the car if:

Accepted Answer

The governor monitors car speed and activates at a preset overspeed (typically 115% of rated speed for trip, then 140% for governor pulling). It activates the safety device (wedge or roller type) that grips the guide rails to stop the car.

Question 9

A firefighters' emergency operation (Phase II) allows firefighters to:

Accepted Answer

Phase II firefighters' service allows a firefighter inside the car to operate the elevator manually with doors held open only while the door open button is continuously pressed, preventing automatic door closure and allowing safe firefighting operations.

Question 10

The minimum pit depth required under ASME A17.1 for most passenger elevators is determined by:

Accepted Answer

Pit depth is calculated based on buffer type and compressed stroke, car bottom clearance requirements, and the runby (distance the car can travel below the lowest landing before striking the buffer). ASME A17.1 Rules 2.4.1–2.4.4 govern pit depth.

Safety Code (ASME A17.1 / CSA B44) Practice Questions

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