ASME ASME Elevators and Escalators A17.1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ASME standard covers the safety code for elevators and escalators in the United States?
- ASME A17.1 (Correct answer)
- ASME A17.2
- ASME B30.1
- ASME A13.1
Correct answer: ASME A17.1
ASME A17.1 is the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, the primary standard governing elevator installation and operation in the US.
Question 2: Under ASME A17.1, what is the maximum rated speed for a hydraulic elevator?
- 100 fpm
- 150 fpm
- 200 fpm (Correct answer)
- 500 fpm
Correct answer: 200 fpm
ASME A17.1 limits the rated speed of hydraulic elevators to 200 feet per minute (fpm).
Question 3: What device is required by ASME A17.1 to prevent an elevator car from exceeding its rated speed during downward travel?
- Electromagnetic brake
- Safety device (car safety)
- Buffer
- Governor (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Governor
A governor monitors elevator speed and triggers the safety device when the car exceeds a set overspeed limit during descent.
Question 4: Under ASME A17.1, what is the minimum illumination required inside an elevator car?
- 5 foot-candles
- 5 lux
- 5 foot-candles at the control panel and floor level (Correct answer)
- 5 foot-candles at the car threshold
Correct answer: 5 foot-candles at the control panel and floor level
ASME A17.1 requires a minimum of 5 foot-candles at the car control panel and at the floor level of the car.
Question 5: Which ASME A17.1 requirement pertains to the pit of an elevator hoistway?
- The pit must be at least 4 ft deep for all elevators
- The pit must have a permanent lighting switch accessible from the pit access door (Correct answer)
- The pit must be heated to prevent hydraulic fluid from freezing
- The pit floor must be painted safety yellow
Correct answer: The pit must have a permanent lighting switch accessible from the pit access door
ASME A17.1 requires a permanent lighting fixture and a switch that can be operated from the pit access door to illuminate the pit safely.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the 'terminal stopping device' required by ASME A17.1?
- To stop the elevator at the lowest terminal landing during normal operation
- To prevent the car from traveling beyond the top or bottom terminal landings (Correct answer)
- To sense when passengers are exiting the car
- To stop the elevator during a fire service recall
Correct answer: To prevent the car from traveling beyond the top or bottom terminal landings
Terminal stopping devices are final limit switches that cut power to prevent the elevator from traveling beyond the top or bottom terminal landings under any condition.
ASME ASME Elevators and Escalators A17.1
Which ASME standard covers the safety code for elevators and escalators in the United States?