Ensuring your home elevator is safe is critical, particularly for children. On August 6, 2019, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an advisory highlighting safety concerns with the spacing between the gate and landing doors on home elevators.
The announcement addressed potential hazards due to large gaps between the elevator’s landing doors and the car’s gate. To read the full advisory, you can download the notice here.
The concern revolves around the spacing between elevator doors. Previously, the “3-inch and 5-inch Rule” governed these distances. However, experts now believe these gaps are too large and pose a risk to children.
In New Jersey, for example, the spacing standard has changed to the “¾-inch and 4-inch Rule.” Non-compliance with this standard increases the risk of serious accidents.
Home elevators are regulated by national safety codes, which are often adopted by individual states. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has revised its standards, replacing the 3-inch and 5-inch Rule with the ¾-inch and 4-inch Rule.
If you’re unsure whether your elevator meets the updated safety standards, consult a home elevator professional to inspect your system. They can identify potential risks and recommend solutions to minimize the space gap.
If you’re building a new home, ensure that your elevator installation complies with the updated code (¾-inch and 4-inch Rule).
A professional assessment is essential to determine the best solution. Common options include:
- Door Build-Outs: Attachments installed on the back of the door to reduce the gap to a safe size. This requires precise sizing and dimension verification.
- Moving Landing Doors: Adjusting existing landing doors so they sit closer to the landing sill edge.
Safety is paramount. A home elevator must be safe for all occupants, especially children. Ignoring these safety guidelines could lead to severe accidents.