Elevators in Canada are regulated equipment. A provincial authority licenses or permits each unit and inspects it, licensed contractors and certified mechanics maintain it, and the owner is responsible for keeping it maintained, permitted and safe to use. Understanding how those pieces fit together helps owners manage cost, downtime and risk.
Who does what
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| Owner | Keeps the elevator maintained by a qualified contractor, holds a valid operating permit or licence, acts on inspection orders, keeps records and controls access to machine rooms |
| Elevator contractor | Performs maintenance, testing and repairs using certified elevator mechanics, following the maintenance control program |
| Provincial authority | Registers or permits elevating devices, carries out or authorizes mandated periodic inspections, approves new installations and major alterations, and issues orders |
| Independent consultant | Reviews condition, contract performance and records on the owner's behalf, and helps plan repairs and modernization |
The authority varies by province. In Alberta, elevating devices fall under the Safety Codes Act, with inspections administered through a delegated safety codes organization. In BC, Technical Safety BC regulates elevating devices. In Ontario, it is the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). Each sets its own permit, inspection and reporting rules, so check with yours.
The mandated inspection comes first. Provincial inspections of elevators must be done by the authority or the inspectors it designates, and repairs by licensed elevator contractors. ehZee does not replace either. Our role is independent: assessing condition, reviewing maintenance, helping you prepare for the mandated inspection and following up on its findings.
The safety code
CSA B44, the Safety code for elevators and escalators, is the main technical standard in Canada. Provinces adopt it, sometimes with their own amendments, and it applies to new installations and alterations and sets requirements for maintenance and testing of existing equipment. Older units are often allowed to remain under the code edition they were installed to, with upgrades required when they are altered or when the province orders them. Check the edition in force in your province.
Maintenance control programs
CSA B44 requires a maintenance control program (MCP) for each elevator. It is a written, unit-specific plan that sets out what maintenance and examinations are done, how often, and how the work is recorded. The MCP and its records should be kept on site, normally in the machine room or another location the code allows, and be available to the inspector.
A good MCP reflects how the elevator is actually used. A busy hospital elevator needs more attention than a low-rise unit used a few times a day. Owners should ask their contractor to explain the MCP and show that the work is being done.
What maintenance covers
- Examining and adjusting door equipment, which is the most common source of breakdowns and many injuries
- Checking levelling accuracy at each floor, to prevent trip hazards
- Inspecting ropes or belts, sheaves, brakes and governors
- Checking hydraulic units for leaks, fluid levels and cylinder condition
- Testing safety devices, buffers and limit switches on the required schedule
- Testing the emergency communication device and car lighting
- Testing firefighters' emergency operation and emergency power operation, where fitted
- Cleaning machine rooms, pits and car tops
- Recording all work, callbacks and parts replaced
Owner responsibilities day to day
- Post the current operating permit or certificate where the province requires it
- Keep machine rooms locked, dry, lit and free of storage
- Keep pits dry and report water entry immediately
- Make sure the emergency phone in the car works and is monitored
- Report unusual noises, rough rides, levelling problems and door faults promptly
- Take a unit out of service if it is unsafe, and call the contractor
- Have a plan for releasing trapped passengers that uses only qualified elevator personnel or emergency services
Managing the maintenance contract
Elevator contracts range from basic examination-only agreements to full maintenance contracts that include most parts and repairs. Read what is excluded, how callbacks are billed and what response times are promised. Track:
- Callbacks and entrapments per unit, and whether the same faults keep recurring
- Whether scheduled maintenance visits happen as listed in the MCP
- How quickly inspection orders are closed
- Downtime, especially in buildings where an elevator is the only accessible route
When to consider modernization
Controllers, drives and door equipment wear out and become obsolete. Signs that a unit may need modernization include frequent breakdowns, parts that are hard to get, poor levelling, slow or rough performance and repeated inspection orders. Modernization is a major project that needs a permit, so start planning well ahead and budget for it in your reserve fund or capital plan.
How ehZee can help
Our elevator and escalator inspections give owners an independent view of condition, maintenance records and contractor performance, help prepare for provincially mandated inspections and follow up on orders. We can also help plan repairs and modernization. For moving walks and escalators, see escalator safety for building owners.
Common questions
Can our building staff do minor elevator repairs?
No. Work on elevators must be done by licensed elevator contractors using certified mechanics. Building staff can report problems, keep rooms clean and take a unit out of service, but should not adjust or repair the equipment.
What happens if an inspection finds problems?
The inspector issues orders with deadlines. Serious hazards can lead to a unit being shut down until fixed. Your contractor makes the repairs, and the authority may reinspect or ask for confirmation.
How do I know if my contractor is doing the maintenance?
Ask to see the maintenance control program and the records for each unit, compare them with the schedule, and track callbacks. An independent review can help if you are unsure.