ASME A17.1 vs A17.3: What Building Owners Need to Know
Differences between the Safety Code for Elevators and the existing installations code.
Key Takeaway: ASME A17.1 is the safety code for new elevator installations and major alterations. ASME A17.3 is the code for existing elevator installations -- it sets the minimum safety requirements for elevators already in service. Building owners primarily deal with A17.3 for their existing elevators, and A17.1 only applies when installing a new elevator or performing a major modernization.
ASME A17.1: Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
ASME A17.1 is the comprehensive safety standard that governs the design, manufacture, installation, testing, inspection, and alteration of elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, and moving walks. First published in 1921, it is updated on a regular cycle (currently every 3 years) and is the foundational elevator safety code in North America.
A17.1 applies in two situations: when a brand new elevator is being installed, and when a major alteration is being performed on an existing elevator. A "major alteration" generally means replacing the controller, adding floors, changing the elevator's speed, or replacing the machine/motor. Routine repairs and component replacements do not trigger A17.1 compliance requirements.
The standard is highly detailed and technical. It specifies everything from the minimum dimensions of machine rooms to the required performance of safety devices. When an elevator is installed under a specific edition of A17.1, it is generally held to that edition's requirements for its operational life -- it does not need to be retroactively updated every time a new edition is published.
ASME A17.3: Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators
ASME A17.3 addresses a different problem: what are the minimum safety requirements for elevators that are already installed and operating? Many elevators in service today were installed under older versions of A17.1 (some from the 1960s and 1970s) and do not meet current A17.1 requirements. It would be impractical and prohibitively expensive to retroactively bring every existing elevator up to the latest A17.1 edition.
A17.3 establishes a practical baseline -- the minimum safety features that every operating elevator must have, regardless of when it was installed. These requirements focus on life-safety items: door restrictors, car-top emergency stops, firefighter's emergency operation, hoistway venting, and seismic protection in applicable zones. A17.3 does not require full modernization; it requires specific safety upgrades that address the most critical risks.
Key Differences
| Aspect | A17.1 | A17.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Applies to | New installations and major alterations | Existing, in-service elevators |
| Scope | Complete design, installation, and safety requirements | Minimum safety upgrades for operating equipment |
| When triggered | New construction, major alteration | Ongoing operation of any existing elevator |
| Cost impact | Built into new installation cost | Incremental upgrades, typically $5,000-$50,000 per item |
| Compliance timeline | Must be met before elevator enters service | Phased compliance schedules set by AHJ |
| Updated | Every 3 years | Every 3 years (coordinated with A17.1) |
Which States Adopt Which Code?
Most states adopt both A17.1 and A17.3, but the edition year varies. Some states are 1-2 code cycles behind the current edition. For example, a state might currently enforce A17.1-2019 while the 2022 edition is already published. The adoption status is determined by each state's code adoption process, which can take 1 to 3 years after a new edition is published.
A17.3 adoption is less universal than A17.1. Some states enforce A17.3 statewide; others leave it to local jurisdictions; and a few have not formally adopted it at all. In states without formal A17.3 adoption, existing elevator safety requirements may be addressed through state-specific codes or left to the inspector's judgment based on ASME guidance.
Practical Implications for Building Owners
If you are installing a new elevator or performing a major modernization, your elevator contractor and engineer will handle A17.1 compliance as part of the project scope. Your responsibility is to ensure the contractor is working to the correct edition adopted in your jurisdiction.
If you own an existing elevator, A17.3 is the code that affects you directly. Your elevator inspector will evaluate your equipment against A17.3 requirements and may issue violations for missing safety features. Common A17.3 upgrades required on older elevators include:
- Door restrictor devices (prevents doors from opening outside the landing zone)
- Firefighter's Emergency Operation (Phase I and Phase II recall)
- Car-top emergency stop switches
- Hoistway door interlocks meeting current performance standards
- Pit ladder and lighting (if not originally installed)
- Machine room ventilation to current standards
These upgrades are typically identified during routine inspections and enforced on a phased timeline. Budget $5,000 to $50,000 per item depending on the specific upgrade and the complexity of the installation.
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