Conveyances (Elevators)

Applicable Codes:

2024 International Building Code
2023 National Electrical Code
Illinois Elevator Safety Rules
Illinois Accessibility Code

A permit is required prior to installation of any new conveyances, including elevators, escalators, lifts, dumbwaiters, and residential lifts or upgrades to an existing conveyance.

Please submit the following information:

There are two steps to apply for an elevator permit:

1. Please submit a set of the conveyance shop drawings, conveyance specifications, cut sheets, and a cover letter to be forwarded to our third-party inspection firm, Elevator Inspection Services (EIS), for review. Contact Elevator Inspection Services at 630-323-6541 or https://www.elevator-inspection.com/ for any questions and submittal requirements.
2. Apply for a building permit - h2.maintstar.co/wheaton/portal/#/
   • Include conveyance shop drawings, conveyance specifications, cut sheets, and a copy of the cover letter that was sent to EIS.

After the review of the plans has been completed, EIS will then forward the approved plans to the Building Department.

Significant Code Requirements

Elevator Machine Room (Sections 100, 102, and 300)

• Vent room with rated vent (mechanical or Natural);
• Self-closing and locking "B" label door;
• No pipes conveying gases, vapors, water, etc. (passing through the room);
• Heaving Duty fused Mainline disconnect close to the lock-side of the door jam;
• Room to be two (2) hour fire rated with 7’0" clear height (Rule 101.1a2 and 101.4);
• Separate 110-volt car light feed for each machine through a fused tamperproof disconnected switch in the room; (dedicated circuit) NEC 620-22;
• 110-volt work outlet in the room to be GFI; and,
• 10# ABC fire extinguisher in the room by the lock-side of the door.

Elevator Hoistway (Sections 100, 102, 106, and 300)

• Locate sump pump hole with metal cover to the rear of the pit, clear of rails and buffers;
• Metal Pit ladder per pit to extend 42" above sill (lock side of door);
• Pit lighting switch required adjacent to ladder 36" above the sill;
• Pit lighting to be either in front or rear of hoistway pit, clear of equipment, and 24" min above pit floor;
• Provide a minimum 42" refuge space when the elevator is at the end of travel. Top of car to ceiling;
• Vent hoistway (4 floors or more) 3 sq. ft. required;
• 70-degree metal taper on all ledges larger than 2"
• Hoistway to be two (2) hour fire-rated;
• No pipes conveying gases, vapors, water, etc., passing through or level to level;
• Four (4) symbol pictograph signs above all call stations;
• Fire service operation instructions to be mounted adjacent to the Phase-one key switch; and
• Fire service key box to be mounted adjacent to phase-one key switch, 6’6" from the floor.

Elevator car (section 204, 211, IAC/ADA)

• Install a self-dialing telephone to a 24-hour source with voice message ADA/IAC 410-1;
• Install electric eyes at 5" and 29" above the sill or full door sensor edge;
• Car station to comply with handicap height;
• Handrails as per IAC (handicap);
• Smoke detectors to be mounted in elevator lobbies. Machine room and hoistway with alternate floor selection
• Inside car dimensions to accommodate fire department stretcher, platform size minimum 6’8" x 51" with 42" side opening door (2500# cap or 4000# cap with center opening door);
• Fire service operation instructions are to be mounted on the car's operation panel.

Note: If machine room and hoistway is sprinkled Section 102.2(c) [4] the following must be complied with:

• Means to shut off the elevator through the heat detector located adjacent to each sprinkler;
• Smoke detector for recall adjacent to each heat detector.

Additional Elevator Related Specifications

Phones
The elevator code ASME A17 requires that a two-way communication means between the car and a location in the building that is readily accessible to authorized and emergency personnel shall be provided. When the two-way communications location in the building is not staffed 24 hours a day by authorized personnel who can take appropriate action, the means of two-way communications shall automatically be directed to an additional on/or off-site location, where an appropriate response can be taken.

This communication requirement will entail that multiple contracts be established, including:

1. Contract with a phone company for a "direct connect" or "direct line".
2. Contact with a 24-hour monitoring company such as DuComm at 630-462-7999. Please note that there are other monitoring companies available as an option to you.
3. Contract with an elevator manufacturer. It may need to be specified that one or more lines be provided in the traveling cable.

Post Address
We recommend that the address of the building and elevator number (if more than one elevator in the building) be posted in the elevator in the event that, when someone calls for an emergency, they have the information available to them.

Sump Pump
A sump "pump" is not required, but the pit, rough plumbing, and a simplex outlet, or a duplex GFIc, are required to be installed. Rough plumbing piping can go outside, to a holding tank, or indirectly into a sanitary sewer (IPC 890.13609). The plumbing cannot go into the storm sewer.

STAIR CHAIRLIFT

Submittals to EIS:

• Please submit a set of the chairlift shop drawings, conveyance specifications, cut sheets, and a cover letter to be forwarded to our third-party inspection firm, Elevator Inspection Services (EIS), for review. Contact Elevator Inspection Services at 630-323-6541 or https://www.elevator-inspection.com/ for any questions and submittal requirements.

Submittals to the City of Wheaton:

• Include conveyance shop drawings, conveyance specifications, cut sheets, and a copy of the cover letter that was sent to EIS.
• Plan of stairs and area at top and bottom of the stairs with lift depicted in place, with dimensions of the stairwell.

Notes:

• No State elevator ID tag required.
• No annual or semiannual elevator inspection required.
• The manufacturer of the lift may have inspection requirements.
• At final inspection, there needs to be a handrail mounted to at least one side of the stairs running the full length of the stairs.
• Electrical shall be per the manufacturer's specifications.

Inspections

Final Inspection
A final inspection of conveyances is required to be scheduled by your installation firm at such time that the conveyance is fully operable and all building finishes are complete. To schedule a final inspection, please contact Elevator Inspection Services at 630-323-6541.

Annual Inspections

According to the adopted code for the City of Wheaton, an elevator safety inspection is required to be performed twice a year on all elevators. An inspector from the Elevator Inspection Service (EIS) is scheduled to stop at your facility in February and August of each year to conduct the inspection.

Upon completion of all inspections, EIS will forward the elevator certificate to the Wheaton Finance Department and an invoice for the associated inspection fee.

To apply for a permit

Maintstar - h2.maintstar.co/wheaton/portal/#/

Contractor Registration Requirements:

Webpage - www.wheaton.il.us/890/Contractor-Registration-Requirements

Contact Us

City of Wheaton Building & Code Enforcement Department
Address: 303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone Calls:
Questions regarding this information: 630-260-2050
Business hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fax: 630-260-2195

Revised 12/17/2025