Existing Installations

NYC Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 1, subch. 18, art. 2

in effect

NYC Admin. Code § 27-994 Retroactive provisions.

§ 27-994 Retroactive provisions. The provisions of this subchapter are not retroactive except that the provisions of this section are retroactive. Existing elevators moved to new hoistways shall conform with all the requirements for new installations. All alteration work on existing installations required by this section must be completed no later than December sixth, nineteen hundred seventy. (a) Emergency interlock release switch. Emergency interlock release switches in elevator cars, where provided, shall be of the key-operated, continuous-pressure type and all other types now in use shall be removed or replaced with approved key-operated, continuous-pressure type switches. (b) Machines – belt and chain-driven. Single-belted and chain-driven machines shall be permitted only on freight elevators and only when equipped with electrically released, spring applied brakes and with terminal stopping devices and electrical safety devices as required in reference standard RS 18-1. (c) Machines – drum winding. Drum winding machines shall be equipped with electrical machine limits as set forth in reference standard RS 181. (d) Car gate switches – additions, replacement, or relocation of. Car gate electric contacts where such devices are not provided or are found to be tied or blocked so as to render them inoperative shall be added, replaced or relocated as required by the commissioner. Installation or replacement of car gate electric contacts shall conform to the requirements of reference standard RS 18-1. (e) Elevator hoistway-door interlocks. All existing elevators not presently equipped with hoistway doors having door interlocks shall be provided with hoistway landing doors equipped with approved type hoistway-door interlocks conforming to the requirements of reference standard RS 18-1. Approved-type interlock switches may be installed in connection with existing hoistway door closers, provided the combination door closers and interlocks conform to all the requirements for approved hoistway-door interlocks. The use of elevator parking devices and hoistway door unlocking devices for opening hoistway doors from the landing side shall conform to the requirements of reference standard RS 18-1. Exceptions: Interlocks or electric contacts shall not be used on hydraulic elevator landing doors or gates except where such elevators are provided with electric control and operating devices. (f) Emergency signal or telephone. Automatic operation elevators or any elevator operated at any time without a designated operator shall be provided with an audible emergency signal, and except in buildings classified in occupancy groups J-1, and J-2, the cars shall be provided with a telephone, in accordance with the requirements of reference standard RS 18-1. (1) Elevators with car switch operation shall be provided with a signal system by means of which signals can be given from any landing whenever the elevator is desired at the landing.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-995 Existing sidewalk elevators.

§ 27-995 Existing sidewalk elevators. Existing sidewalk elevators shall not be subject to the provisions of this section.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-996 Existing hand powered freight elevators.

§ 27-996 Existing hand powered freight elevators. Existing hand powered freight elevators shall not be subject to the provisions of this article. However, adequate protection of landing openings shall be provided by hinged or sliding doors which shall remain locked at all times except when the freight elevator is in use. Auxiliary gates not less than thirty-six inches in height, substantially constructed and secured in place, of wood or metal, or equivalent metal chains shall be installed. Such gates or chains may be arranged to lift vertically, to slide horizontally, or to swing. No part of any gate or chain may project into the freight elevator shaft. Gates may be operated automatically or manually.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-996.1 Locks on elevators and elevator hoistway doors.

§ 27-996.1 Locks on elevators and elevator hoistway doors. Notwithstanding the retroactive provisions of section 27-994 of this article, in high rise buildings and existing high rise buildings, no switch, lock or device of any kind shall be installed on any floor on or above the street floor on any elevator car or elevator hoistway door, except elevators used exclusively for freight, that shall prevent opening of such doors by anyone not having a key, unless fire department access to cars and hoistways is provided for by a city-wide standard key as described in reference standard RS 18-1. Existing high rise buildings shall comply with the requirements of this section on or before April first, nineteen hundred eighty-seven.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-996.2 Firemen service operation in existing elevators.

§ 27-996.2 Firemen service operation in existing elevators. (a) Notwithstanding the retroactive provisions of section 27-994 of this article, where required by reference standard RS 18-1, firemen service operation shall be installed in all existing elevators serving any of the following: (1) High rise buildings or building sections classified in occupancy group C. (2) All buildings or building sections classified in occupancy group F, G, H or J-1 (except for "residential hotels," as such term is defined by the commissioner pursuant to rules and regulations). (b) All work necessary to meet the requirements of this section shall be completed on or before April first, nineteen hundred eighty-seven.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-53638Fetched: 10/24/2026