AC – alternating current – is a power source that is used in accessibility machines. An AC source of electrical power varies continually in back and forth direction.

ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was signed into law by President Bush on July 26, 1990. The ADA is intended to give civil rights protection for the disabled people, similar to those granted by the Civil Rights Act.

Anchor Bolt – A specially-designed bolt used to fasten rail brackets, door sills, headers or other objects to masonry beams or hoist-way walls of brick, cement block, or poured concrete.

Angle Bracket – (1) A type of formed steel bracket used to attach and secure guide rails to the building structure. (2) Any combination of angled steel used in the installation of elevator components.

Architect’s Drawing – Drawings made to show the necessary features of the entire construction of a building.

ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Attendant Service – A type of operation for automatic elevators, usually controlled by a key-operated switch in the car which allows the car to respond to both car and landing calls. However, the direction of travel, door closing, and car starting are under the control of the attendant.

Authorized Personnel – Persons who have been instructed in the operation and/or maintenance of the equipment and designated by the owner to use or maintain the equipment.

Automatic Elevator – A type of elevator which does not require any attendant. All calls are registered by the passengers.

Balustrade – The side of an escalator/moving walk extending above the steps. It includes skirt panels, interior panels, and handrails.

Bevel – An inclination that one line of surface makes with another when not at right angles.

Biparting Doors – A vertically sliding door used on freight elevators. It consists of two or more sections so arranged that the sections or groups of sections open away from each other and so interconnected that all sections operate simultaneously.

Blind Hoistway – A section of a hoistway without door openings within the limits of travel.

Blocking – (1) A wooden frame placed in the machine room forming, before the concrete is poured. Blocking provides the necessary opening in the machine room floor for various ropes, cables, and ducts. Also knows as “blocks” or “sleeves” (2) Sections of steel beam placed under a buffer to obtain proper clearances between car and/or counterweight and their buffer.

Blueprint – (1) A drawing made by printing on paper sensitized with a ferricyanide of potassium. The drawing shows in white lines on a blue background. (2) Any detailed plan.

BOS – Battery Operated System.

Bottom Terminal Landing – The lowest landing served by the elevator or material lift which is equipped with a hoistway door provided with a hoistway door locking device which permits egress from the hoistway side.

Brake– The most important part in an accessibility solution. It is an electromechanical mechanism employed to stop or hold a lift or elevator in place.

Brake Shoes – Moving member(s) of a brake, lined with friction material which, when in contact with the brake drum, holds the elevator at floor level. On some types of control, they stop the elevator when power is removed from the hoist motor.

B-Side – The right side of an elevator car or hoistway. It is determined by standing at a front landing entrance and facing the hoistway.

Buck – (1) A rough wood door frame placed in a wall or partition to which the door moldings are attached. (2) a completely fabricated steel door frame set in a wall or partition to receive the door.

Buffer – (1) A device designed to stop a descending car or counterweight beyond its normal limit of travel by stopping or absorbing and dissipating the kinetic energy of the car or counterweight. (2) A circuit or component which isolates one electrical circuit from another. (3) An output circuit or component used to drive several loads without overloading the previous circuit. (4) A storage device used to compensate for a difference in rate of flow of information or time of occurrence of events when transmitting information from one device to another.

Buffer Channel – A channel iron placed on the pit floor of an electric elevator to support buffers and guide the rails.

Buffer Springs – Large diameter springs permanently affixed in an elevator pit for the purpose of stopping a descending car or counterweight beyond its normal limit of travel.

Bushing – (1) A removable or replaceable insert used as a bearing or guide for a shaft or rod. (2) A grommel-like part used as an insulating lining for a hole through which electrical conductors pass..

Cab – A self-contained enclosure mounted on an elevator platform in which passengers or freight is carried.

Cable – A general electrical term describing two or more electrical wires constrained within a common insulating jacket. For elevator usage, it refers only to electrical wires or conductors.

Call Back – In contract service, a customer request which requires a check of an elevator other than the regularly scheduled examination.

Cam – (1) A steel angle beveled at both ends and fastened to the guide rails to operate terminal switch mounted on the car. (2) A steel angle beveled at both ends and fastened to the car to operate terminal switches in the hoistway. (3) A steel angle mounted on the car to operate a hoistway floor selector. (4) A moveable steel bar or angle mounted on a car to unlock hoistway door interlocks. (5) A device for converting regular rotary motion into irregular rotary motion or reciprocating motion.

Cantilever – (1) A beam or crane section supported rigidly at or near only one end. (2) A frame that extends beyond its lifting or hoisting point to support the car

Capacity – The maximum load that an accessibility device can carry in terms of weight.

Car Call – A call registered on a car operating panel.

Car Counterweight – A set of weights roped directly to the elevator car of a winding-drum type installation. In practice, this weight is equal to approximately 70% of the car weight.

Car Door – The movable portion of the car which protects the opening providing access to the car.

Direct Current (DC) – An electrical current that flows constantly in one direction.

Dumbwaiter – It is an accessibility solution used to carry clothes, firewood, and other merchandise and materials from floor to floor – easily and conveniently.

Emergency Stop Switch – This feature is intentionally used to stop the equipment in an emergency.

Folding Rails – Enables to keep the lift folded when not in use. This saves space and provides other users easy access to the stairways.

fpm – feet per minute. The speed of elevators is measured in fpm.

Handheld Controls – these enable individuals who have limited hand mobility to operate the system.

Heavy Duty – Specifically designed for users who may be of a larger persuasion.

Hoistway – A vertical passageway designed to enclose and provide support for an elevator, platform, or other lifting device.

Key locks – are used to enhance safety and prevent unauthorized access.

LULA Elevators – Limited Use Limited Access Elevators are of great utility value in commercial facilities where there is no existing vertical transportation.

Obstruction Sensors – It is used to detect any obstruction. If any obstruction is encountered, then the lifting device stops the machine automatically.

Overspeed Governor – A safety device for recognizing excess speed so as to prevent sudden or rapid descent.

rpm – revolution per minute

Seat Belts – is a safety harness designed to hold you in place.

Swivel Seat – Allow you to turn your seat to a convenient position.

Vertical Platform Lifts – It is an excellent choice for stages, elevation changes and for overcoming other architectural barriers in a variety of public and commercial building types.