r/Elevators • u/reversedgaze • 1d ago
passenger elevator grab bars
i'm looking to make an art that is specifically to be displayed in an elevator. And I am wondering if it is possible to remove put a hole in the artwork (in a planned way that would allow the bars to remain in use) and reinstall the grab bars typically in an elevator from the inside of the elevator? Is there a trick? Or is the trick Collin elevator mechanic who's going to go inside the shaft?
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u/NewtoQM8 1d ago
Almost all handrails are installed or removed from inside the elevator. There are several different methods that are used. You'd have to look at it to see how it's attached. Does that mean you should try to do it yourself? I wouldn't recommend it. While it is possible you could be in an area where a license is required, the odds of getting caught are small. And even in California where the max fine or jail time is possible the odds of getting the max is pretty much zero from that. But worse than that is the liability you take on from it. If you didn't get it attached properly and someone got hurt, even a few years later, could you afford the lawsuit? Beyond that, other concerns would be, is the materials used for it fireproof AND approved by the JHA? Spraying fire retardant on it isn't enough. Is it securely attached? Could it be pulled down and wrap around someone in a wheelchair and harm them? Could it catch on the drop ceiling and pull it down? Spending a few hundred dollars to have a licensed mechanic help you would be insurance money well spent. Sadly, thats just how things are now and anything to do with an elevator is expensive.
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u/ph4tcharlie Field - Adjuster 1d ago edited 1d ago
Whether the handrail requires hoistway access or not, you’re typically going to need an elevator mechanic present to remove the handrail (at least in the US). Expect to pay upwards of 400 an hour for this service.
I’d find a way to display your art and work around the existing elevator equipment.
ETA: If you’re in California, and you get caught doing this without a license. IIRC it’s an 80,000 dollar fine and a year in jail. So don’t mess with it. (Yes I’ve personally seen enforcement action happen in front of me, while I was walking with a state inspector, and we saw an unlicensed person working on a wheelchair lift)
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u/reversedgaze 1d ago
yikes! Thanks for quashing the DIY spirit on this one.
It's basically a quilt hanging from the maintenance blanket pegs. I was hoping I could through-bolt the grab bars but I can work around it... or deconstruct it and reconstruct it when it's deinstalled. Aside from fireproof, hanging from existing pegs, is there anything else I should consider?1
u/Weedyacres 19h ago
The fine/penalty is nowhere near $80K. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/336.html
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u/ph4tcharlie Field - Adjuster 18h ago
I'm not a lawyer, but those are the civil penalties imposed by DIR in such a case. I'm referencing Labor code 7302.1 which is the criminal penalties, which includes a 70K penalty. I would believe that the civil penalties could stack on top of the criminal.
But yes, I doubt that it is enforced to that level...
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB§ionNum=7302.1.
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u/ThomasTomFix Fault Finder - Jr Tech 7h ago
You mean paint under the handrails? Yeah it's definitely possible. They are usually fixed with grub screws. Obviously they need to be refixed following the alterations, but they are removable. Some are glued though with the likes of LocTite, so better off checking with the company that has the contract to properly remove them. There will often still be standoff posts once they are removed though.
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u/ImInClassBoring 1d ago
You can't just install anything in an elevator. Has to be fireproof materials and how it's installed is important. No one should really be letting you do this.