407 Elevator Required

[KathrynJane]

This question concerns IBC 2021 and ANSI A117.1 - Where is the specification that a 407 elevator (rather than 408) must be used in new construction when a vertical accessible route is required?

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Probably in A17.1, the elevator standard.

We start with the IBC:

1110.8 Elevators. Passenger elevators on an accessible route
shall be accessible and comply with Chapter 30.

3001.4 Accessibility. Passenger elevators required to be accessible
or to serve as part of an accessible means of egress shall
comply with Sections 1009 and 1110.8.

So far, we have a circular reference: Chapter 11 says shall comply with chapter 30, and chapter 30 says shall comply with chapter 11. But the IBC Commentary for 3001.4 refers to 1109.7:

Section 1109.7 requires elevators that form part of an
accessible route to be accessible. Section 1009 provides
that elevators may be required to be part of an
accessible means of egress from a building. The ICC
A117.1 standard addresses the accessibility requirements
for elevators, including elevator location and
access; operation and leveling; door operation; door
size; door protective and reopening devices; door
delay (dwell time) from hall and car calls; car inside
dimensions, controls and position indicators and signals;
telephone or intercom systems; floor coverings;
minimum illumination; hall buttons; hall lanterns; door
jamb markings; and clearance between sills. This
standard provides acceptable and appropriate service
for all users and makes multistory buildings accessible
and usable by people with physical disabilities. The
standard provides requirements for destination-oriented
elevators, limited use/limited application elevators
(LU/LA), private residential elevators and standard
passenger elevators. Each type can be used to provide
an accessible route. The choice of which type of
elevator may be used depends on the limits of their
use established in ASME A17.1/CSA B44. For example,
private residence elevators may only be used to or
in a private dwelling.

A (117.1 section) 408 elevator is a Limited Use/Limited Access (LULA) elevator. Among other parameters, LULAs are limited to 25 feet of vertical travel. If your application doesn't exceed the limitations that apply to LULAs, I think you can use them.