Elevator Pit Fixtures - ASME A17

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CutToTheChase

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Looking to get the general consensus on elevator pit fixtures.

ASME A17.1 2.2.5.2 requires that "The light bulb(s) shall be externally guarded to prevent contact and accidental breakage." for illumination of pits.

Does this apply to fixtures that don't have 'bulbs'? And does this apply to all fixtures in the shaft, or just the ones in the pit (below ground level)?

I'd like to use a few 4' surface LED fixtures above ground, but the ones on this project used elsewhere don't come with a wire cage. I can, of course, find fixtures that have a wire cage for protection, but it got me thinking (dangerous, I know).

Thoughts?
 
I’ve never worked on an elevator that had any fixtures in the shaft other than in the pit…

I agree that the language needs updating to keep pace with LED lighting. I do think that some sort of shield/guard would still be appropriate. Pit lights are normally close to floor level and/or adjacent to personnel working. We typically use vapor tight fixtures in elevator pits.
 
Jolted said:
I’ve never worked on an elevator that had any fixtures in the shaft other than in the pit…

I agree that the language needs updating to keep pace with LED lighting. I do think that some sort of shield/guard would still be appropriate. Pit lights are normally close to floor level and/or adjacent to personnel working. We typically use vapor tight fixtures in elevator pits.
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I agree that the fixtures shouldn't be run-of-the-mill.

Is the shield/guard propensity due to the fixtures being in danger of damage from maintenance personnel? Do the vapor tight fixtures you typically use just have the typical hardened shell or do they also have a cage for protection?
 
CutToTheChase said:
I agree that the fixtures shouldn't be run-of-the-mill.

Is the shield/guard propensity due to the fixtures being in danger of damage from maintenance personnel? Do the vapor tight fixtures you typically use just have the typical hardened shell or do they also have a cage for protection?
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I don’t know what the original requirement was for, but it makes sense to me that you would want them guarded from accidental contact and to provide some protection from tools, etc..

No cage, just the typical plastic shell. They’re nothing special.
 
CutToTheChase said:
Looking to get the general consensus on elevator pit fixtures.

ASME A17.1 2.2.5.2 requires that "The light bulb(s) shall be externally guarded to prevent contact and accidental breakage." for illumination of pits.

Does this apply to fixtures that don't have 'bulbs'? And does this apply to all fixtures in the shaft, or just the ones in the pit (below ground level)?

I'd like to use a few 4' surface LED fixtures above ground, but the ones on this project used elsewhere don't come with a wire cage. I can, of course, find fixtures that have a wire cage for protection, but it got me thinking (dangerous, I know).

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Within a certain distance of the floor, I believe that fixtures are to be water tight or water proof if there is a sprinkler in the pit.
 
CutToTheChase said:
I've heard that also, part of the reason we use vaportight fixtures. Do you know where that requirement comes from?
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It comes from confusion in A17.1. This was clarified years ago, but it keeps hanging around via hearsay and elevator company guidelines. The requirement is for any electrical equipment within 48” of the pit floor to be rated NEMA 4X. It was always intended to apply only to ELEVATOR electrical, but there was confusion with the wording. This was corrected over a decade ago. It now clearly states that it is a requirement for elevator electrical and controls.

I had an argument with an elevator company over this years ago, because I couldn’t understand how they were wanting to see “4X” in the pit wiring, but also requiring 120V outlets for sump pit and convenience. I ended up going to the state inspectors office who gave me the above explanation.
 
Jolted said:
It comes from confusion in A17.1. This was clarified years ago, but it keeps hanging around via hearsay and elevator company guidelines. The requirement is for any electrical equipment within 48” of the pit floor to be rated NEMA 4X. It was always intended to apply only to ELEVATOR electrical, but there was confusion with the wording. This was corrected over a decade ago. It now clearly states that it is a requirement for elevator electrical and controls.

I had an argument with an elevator company over this years ago, because I couldn’t understand how they were wanting to see “4X” in the pit wiring, but also requiring 120V outlets for sump pit and convenience. I ended up going to the state inspectors office who gave me the above explanation.
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Wow, thanks for the backstory & info! It's tidbits like this that really make the trade interesting.

Feels like there's a few places where this has happened. Fuzzy code gets interpreted as a certain way, then it's done that way decades later because "That's the way it's always been done." Glad I now am enlightened ;)
 
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