WHAT IS A LULA?
LULA’s - or Limited Use / Limited Access elevators are becoming more and more popular. LULA’s are designed to be a low cost alternative for buildings that wish to provide means of vertical transportation for the handicapped, and either don’t need or cannot afford a full passenger elevator. LULA’s are covered under ASME A17.1 Section 25, a new section introduced in 1996. Some jurisdictions have allowed residential type elevators to be installed in small commercial buildings. Section 25 was developed in response to the growing need for a uniform code to govern these applications. The basic performance specification of the LULA as defined by the code are:
1. 1400# maximum capacity
2. 18 square feet maximum inside car size (typically 42” x 60”)
3. 30 FPM maximum
4. 25’ rise maximum
The code has additional requirements over most local codes or guidelines used to govern residential type elevators installed in commercial buildings. The most notable requirements are outlined below:
1. ¾” maximum sill, true interlocks and retiring cams for swing door installations
2. Car top inspection station
3. 11’ overhead (for our equipment) or in existing buildings only, 9‘ minimum and a travel restrictor
4. 3’ pit (for our equipment) or 12” minimum and a travel restrictor
5. Gate restrictors, if hoistway door can be opened from inside car when out of unlocking zone
6. Escape hatch, if manual lowering is not provided
7. Overspeed governors for traction, drum or roped hydraulic equipment
Gate restrictors were intended primarily for hoistway doors opened by a clutch on a car door equipped with a master operator. Typically, the pickup roller on this type of hoistway door is in plain sight and easily accessible with the car door open. Manual swing doors typically have pickup rollers out of sight around the side of the cab, and are usually difficult or impossible to reach from inside the car. Elevator Concepts does not believe gate restrictors are necessary with manual doors when equipped with GAL N interlocks with the actuating arm beyond the cab wall.
Hydraulic elevators almost universally are equipped with manual lowering. Traction elevators can be equipped with manual lowering; depending on the equipment, an escape hatch may be less expensive than manual lowering.
Overspeed governors are required by Section 25, but some local jurisdictions do not require them. There has been speculation that the next version of the code will not require governors on roped hydraulic units equipped with rupture valves and a slack cable safety device.
Section 25 does not require fire service; however, if it is provided, Section 25 states it must comply with Section 2, which requires both Phase I (recall) and Phase II (firefighter operation). Some local jurisdictions require Phase I, but do not require Phase II.
ASME A17.1 does not require telephones, but it does require two way communication. Most building codes are now patterned after the ADA, which specifies requirements for telephones in elevators. These are typically referred to as ADA phones in the elevator industry.
Some people think a LULA is just a smaller version of a full passenger elevator, complete with power operated side slide doors. While this configuration is certainly an option, the ASME code does not require power doors for LULA’s, or any other elevator for that matter. In fact, it specifically allows swing type hoistway doors and accordion type gates, either manually or power operated, for LULA’s. However, the local building code may dictate that a LULA have power doors.
A LULA with power side slide doors will cost almost the same as a full 2000# passenger elevator. Usually the only reason to install a LULA with power side slide doors is the inability to provide a hoistway for a full passenger elevator in an existing building. Elevator Concepts LTD specializes in residential and LULA elevators. While we can provide almost any conceivable configuration and option for a LULA, in our opinion, a LULA makes most sense in terms of both budget and usefulness when equipped with manual swing doors and an automated accordion gate.
This information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it should not be construed as an official code interpretation sanctioned by any governing authority. Section 25 is a new code. Its application and interpretation will vary widely from inspector to inspector. It is best to become aware of the specific requirements in the locality of the installation. It is impossible for us to keep track of every local variation of LULA code interpretation. Please consult with the governing authority in your jurisdiction before the design or installation of any elevator system.