TSSA Elevator & Escalator Safety Sign Requirements in Ontario

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) regulates all elevating devices in Ontario under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 16 and the Elevating Devices Regulation, O. Reg. 209/01. Every elevator, escalator, moving walkway, dumbwaiter, and platform lift in Ontario must display specific safety signs. TSSA inspectors conduct regular inspections, and missing or non-compliant signage can result in compliance orders, fines, and even device shutdowns.

This guide covers every sign required by TSSA regulations and the Ontario Building Code for elevating devices in commercial, residential, and industrial buildings.

Who Must Comply with TSSA Signage Requirements?

Under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, the following parties are responsible for elevating device signage:

• Building owners: Ultimate responsibility for all safety signage on elevating devices
• Property managers: Day-to-day compliance and maintenance of signs
• Elevator contractors: Responsible for installing required signs during installation and modernization
• TSSA: Issues and posts the inspection certificate

Required Elevator Signs

1. TSSA Inspection Certificate

• Requirement: Every elevating device must have a current TSSA license/inspection certificate posted
• Location: Inside the elevator car, visible to passengers
• Content: TSSA licence number, device type, inspection date, and next inspection due date
• Tampering: Removing or defacing a TSSA certificate is an offence under the Act

2. Capacity Sign (O. Reg. 209/01, Section 30)

• Content: Rated load capacity in kilograms and maximum number of persons
• Location: Inside the elevator car, near the operating panel, at eye height
• Format: Clear, legible text — minimum 10 mm character height
• Accuracy: Must match the capacity registered with TSSA — overloading is a safety hazard and regulatory violation

3. Emergency Communication Sign

• Content: Instructions for using the emergency communication device (phone or intercom)
• Emergency number: Must display the 24/7 emergency contact number for the elevator contractor or monitoring service
• Location: Adjacent to the emergency phone/intercom in the car
• Accessibility: Must include tactile elements for visually impaired users per OBC 3.5.4

4. Fire Emergency Sign

• At every elevator landing: "IN CASE OF FIRE, DO NOT USE ELEVATOR — USE STAIRS" (or equivalent approved wording)
• Inside the car: Emergency instructions for fire situations
• Firefighter operation panel: Signs indicating Phase I recall and Phase II in-car operation for fire service use
• Standard: Must comply with CSA B44 (Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators)

5. Floor Identification Signs

• Inside car: Visual and audible floor indicators per OBC 3.5.4
• At each landing: Tactile floor identification with Braille on both door jambs, per OBC 3.8.3.4
• Character height: Minimum 16 mm raised characters with Grade 1 Braille below
• Mounting height: 1,200-1,500 mm above finished floor

6. Door Warning Signs

• Freight elevators: "DANGER — DO NOT RIDE ON TOP OF CAR" signs on the car top
• Bi-parting doors: Warning signs about pinch points on manual doors
• Service elevators: "FREIGHT ONLY — NOT FOR PASSENGER USE" where applicable

Required Escalator Signs

• Capacity and speed: Posted at the top and bottom landings
• Safety instructions: "HOLD HANDRAIL — STAND IN CENTRE — SUPERVISE CHILDREN" or equivalent
• Emergency stop: Signs identifying the location of the emergency stop button at both landings
• Stroller/wheelchair prohibition: "DO NOT USE WITH STROLLERS OR WHEELCHAIRS" sign at each entrance
• Direction indicators: Clear UP/DOWN directional signs at each approach
• Comb plate warnings: Yellow safety demarcation at entry and exit points

Platform Lifts and Accessibility Lifts

• TSSA licence: Posted near the device or at the operating station
• Operating instructions: Clear, step-by-step operating instructions posted at each station
• Capacity sign: Rated load in kilograms
• Emergency instructions: What to do if the lift malfunctions, including contact number
• International Symbol of Access: Posted at the lift location for wayfinding

TSSA Inspection and Enforcement

TSSA conducts regular inspections of all elevating devices in Ontario:

• Inspection frequency: Typically annual for most passenger elevators, semi-annual for high-traffic installations
• Signage review: Missing, damaged, or illegible signs are cited as non-compliance items
• Compliance orders: TSSA can issue orders requiring corrective action within a specified timeframe
• Director's orders: Serious deficiencies can result in immediate device shutdown until corrected
• Fines: Up to $50,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000
• Public register: TSSA publishes enforcement actions on its public website — violations are visible to tenants and the public

Common TSSA Sign Deficiencies

1. Expired or missing TSSA certificate: The most commonly cited deficiency — certificates must be current and posted
2. Missing capacity sign: Especially common in freight elevators and platform lifts
3. No fire emergency sign at landings: Often missing after building renovations or repainting
4. Illegible emergency contact number: Faded, outdated, or incorrect phone numbers on emergency communication signs
5. Missing tactile floor signs: Required at every elevator landing per OBC 3.8.3.4
6. Escalator safety signs removed or obscured: Often covered by seasonal decorations or advertising