January 5, 2000

Circular Letter E-2000-1

TO:  Installers, Manufacturers of Elevators and Related Equipment, and Other Interested Parties

SUBJECT:  Sumps, Sump Pumps, Drains in Elevator Group III Installations

The California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Elevator Safety Orders requires that a sump and sump pump (not connected directly to the sewer) or a drain (not connected directly to the sewer) be installed in pits of elevators installed under Group III regulations in order to prevent the accumulation of water. This requirement is located in Rule 106.1 of the ASME A17.1 - 1996 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, which has been adopted by the State of California.

The Division's responsibility is to enforce the Elevator Safety Orders as adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. It will be necessary for the responsible party to provide verification that the drain or sump pump is not connected directly to the sewer. Supplying the Division with a properly endorsed letter can do this. The Division does reserve the right to test the drain and/or sump pump during the initial inspection of the elevator. This test is left to the discretion of the District Elevator Office.

James L. Meyer
Principal Engineer
Elevator, Ride and Tramway Unit