Ontario Elevator & Escalator Safety Signs — TSSA Requirements

Ontario Elevator and Escalator Signage — TSSA Regulatory Overview

Every elevator, escalator, moving walkway, and dumbwaiter in Ontario is regulated by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (TSSA Act) and Ontario Regulation 209/01 — Elevating Devices. Building owners and managers must display specific signs on and around these devices. Non-compliance can result in TSSA orders, fines up to $50,000 for individuals or $500,000 for corporations, and potential criminal liability in the event of an accident.

This guide covers every sign required for elevators and escalators in Ontario — from capacity plates to emergency instructions, inspection certificates to floor indicators — with exact regulatory references and material recommendations.

Elevator Capacity Signs — O. Reg. 209/01

Section 28 of O. Reg. 209/01 and the adopted CSA B44-19 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators require that every passenger elevator display a capacity plate.

Required Information on Capacity Plates

  • Maximum passenger capacity — number of persons (calculated at 68 kg / 150 lbs per person)
  • Maximum weight capacity — in kilograms (and commonly also in pounds)
  • Elevator contractor name and licence number
  • Elevator identification number — the TSSA registration number

Specifications

  • Location: Inside the elevator car, visible to passengers as they enter — typically on the door frame or adjacent wall panel
  • Material: Engraved metal plate (stainless steel or aluminum) or durable permanent label
  • Text: Minimum 6mm letter height, high contrast (dark on light or light on dark)
  • Must be permanently affixed — not taped, glued with temporary adhesive, or removable

TSSA Inspection Certificate Display

Under the TSSA Act, Section 33 and O. Reg. 209/01, Section 36, the current licence or inspection sticker issued by the TSSA must be displayed on or near the elevating device.

Need custom labels for your products? Our custom label specialists at Lux Label Labs handle everything from small batches to bulk orders.

  • Location: Inside the elevator car (typically near the capacity plate or on the control panel area) or on the landing door frame on the main floor
  • Currency: Must be the current licence — expired licences must be removed and replaced
  • Visibility: Must be visible without opening panels or removing covers
  • Tampering: It is an offence under the TSSA Act to remove, deface, or alter an inspection certificate

TSSA conducts periodic inspections — annually for most passenger elevators, with risk-based scheduling. Operating an elevator with an expired licence is a violation that can result in an order to shut down the device.

Emergency Instructions and Communication Signs

CSA B44-19 (adopted by O. Reg. 209/01) and the Ontario Building Code (OBC), Section 3.5 require specific emergency signage in and around elevators.

Inside the Elevator Car

  • "In Case of Fire, Do Not Use Elevator — Use Stairs" — this is the single most important elevator safety sign, required by both the Ontario Fire Code (Section 2.7) and CSA B44
  • Emergency communication instructions — how to use the emergency phone or intercom (e.g., "Press and hold the alarm button to speak to building security")
  • Emergency phone number — the 24/7 monitoring service or building management contact
  • Elevator identification — car number for emergency responders
  • Floor indicator — current floor displayed inside the car

On Each Landing (Floor)

  • Floor identification signs — floor number on the elevator door frame or adjacent wall, including tactile and Braille per AODA
  • "In Case of Fire, Do Not Use Elevator" — posted at every elevator entrance on every floor
  • Stairway location signs — directing occupants to the nearest stair exit as an alternative to the elevator
  • Fire service key switch sign — on the main floor, indicating the location of the Phase 1 fire recall key switch (for fire department use)

Floor Indicator and Hall Lantern Signs

The AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards (O. Reg. 191/11) and the Ontario Building Code require accessible floor indicators.

Requirements

  • Visual floor indicators — lighted numbers above or beside elevator doors showing the car's current position
  • Audible signals — one chime for up, two chimes for down (or voice announcement)
  • Tactile floor identification — raised characters and Braille on both sides of elevator door frames at every floor (OBC 3.8.3.10)
  • Character height: 16mm to 50mm raised characters, Grade 2 Braille below
  • Contrasting colour: Characters must contrast with their background (light on dark or dark on light)
  • Height: Tactile/Braille signs mounted 1,200mm to 1,500mm above finished floor

Escalator and Moving Walkway Signs

Escalators and moving walkways in Ontario are governed by CSA B44-19, Part 6 (adopted under O. Reg. 209/01).

Required Signs

  • "Caution — Hold Handrail" — at the top and bottom of every escalator
  • "Attend Children" or "Hold Children's Hands" — pictogram of adult holding child's hand
  • "No Strollers / No Carts" — pictogram prohibition sign at escalator entrances
  • Emergency stop button identification — clearly labelled red button at top and bottom landings
  • Direction of travel indicator — arrow showing up or down
  • "Do Not Sit on Escalator"
  • TSSA inspection certificate — displayed near the escalator, typically at the lower landing

Moving Walkway Additional Signs

  • Speed warning — if speed exceeds 0.5 m/s
  • "Step Off Carefully" at the end of the walkway
  • Caution stripe — yellow comb plate markings (physical, not a sign, but part of the safety system)

Accessibility Signs — AODA Requirements for Elevators

The AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards (O. Reg. 191/11) impose detailed requirements on elevator signage for people with disabilities.

  • Tactile control buttons — raised characters and Braille on all elevator buttons (car and hall call)
  • Tactile floor identification — on the door frame at every floor, both sides
  • International Symbol of Accessibility — where the elevator provides access to an accessible route
  • Audible floor announcements — voice or tone indicators
  • Visual indicators — car position indicator readable from the landing
  • Emergency communication — must be accessible to persons with hearing disabilities (visual confirmation that help is coming)

New buildings and major renovations must meet the 2025 AODA compliance deadline for all accessibility requirements, including elevator signage.

Freight Elevator Signs

Freight elevators have additional signage requirements under CSA B44-19:

  • "Freight Elevator — No Passengers" (Class A, B, C freight elevators not designed for passenger use)
  • Maximum load capacity — in kilograms, displayed prominently
  • Loading/unloading instructions — for Class C (industrial truck loading) elevators
  • "Gate Must Be Closed Before Operating" — for manual gate freight elevators
  • Operator instructions — if the elevator requires a trained operator

Dumbwaiter Signs

Dumbwaiters (small elevators for transporting goods, not people) require:

  • "Not for Passenger Use" — on every landing door
  • Maximum capacity — in kilograms
  • TSSA inspection certificate

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Violation Individual Fine Corporation Fine
Operating without a valid TSSA licence Up to $50,000 Up to $500,000
Failing to comply with a TSSA order Up to $50,000 + $10,000/day Up to $500,000 + $25,000/day
Removing/defacing inspection certificate Up to $50,000 Up to $500,000
AODA accessibility violations Up to $50,000 Up to $100,000/day

In the event of an elevator accident, missing or inadequate signage significantly increases the building owner's civil liability exposure. Ontario courts have consistently held that clear safety signage is a minimum standard of care.

Elevator & Escalator Sign Checklist

  • ☐ Capacity plate inside every elevator car
  • ☐ Current TSSA inspection certificate displayed
  • ☐ "In Case of Fire, Do Not Use Elevator" at every elevator entrance, every floor
  • ☐ Emergency communication instructions inside car
  • ☐ Tactile/Braille floor identification on door frames, both sides, every floor
  • ☐ Visual floor indicators above doors
  • ☐ "Hold Handrail" at top and bottom of escalators
  • ☐ "Attend Children" at escalator entrances
  • ☐ "No Strollers" at escalator entrances
  • ☐ Emergency stop button clearly labelled on escalators
  • ☐ Freight elevator restrictions posted
  • ☐ Fire service key switch signage on main floor

Order Your Elevator & Escalator Signs

  • ✅ Made in Canada — printed and engraved in Port Colborne, Ontario
  • ✅ CSA B44 compliant designs
  • ✅ AODA accessible — tactile, Braille, and high-contrast options
  • ✅ Durable materials — engraved stainless steel, aluminum, or rigid PVC
  • ✅ Custom engraving — building-specific information, floor numbers, emergency contacts
  • ✅ Same-day turnaround on standard signs

Shop Elevator & Escalator Signs → | Request a Custom Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for elevator signs — the building owner or the elevator company?

The building owner or manager is ultimately responsible for ensuring all required signage is in place. The elevator maintenance contractor installs and maintains the capacity plate and TSSA inspection certificate. The building owner is responsible for fire safety signs, AODA accessibility signs, and floor identification signs.

How often does TSSA inspect elevators in Ontario?

TSSA uses a risk-based inspection schedule. Most passenger elevators are inspected every 1-3 years. High-risk devices (older equipment, previous violations) may be inspected more frequently. Building owners can request an inspection at any time.

What happens if my elevator's TSSA licence expires?

Operating an elevator with an expired TSSA licence is a violation of the TSSA Act. TSSA can issue an order requiring the device to be shut down until it is brought into compliance. Fines can reach $50,000 for individuals or $500,000 for corporations.

Are Braille signs required in all elevators in Ontario?

Yes. The Ontario Building Code (Section 3.8.3.10) and the AODA require tactile characters and Grade 2 Braille on elevator control buttons and floor identification signs in all new buildings and major renovations. Existing buildings must comply by the AODA 2025 accessibility deadline.

What size should "In Case of Fire" elevator signs be?

The Ontario Fire Code requires fire safety signs to be "conspicuous and legible." Standard practice is a minimum of 200mm × 250mm (8" × 10") with text at least 12mm high. Larger signs (300mm × 450mm) are recommended for busy public buildings.

Do residential condo elevators need the same signs as commercial elevators?

Yes. All passenger elevators in Ontario, whether in residential condos, commercial buildings, or institutional facilities, must meet the same TSSA and CSA B44 signage requirements. This includes capacity plates, TSSA certificates, fire safety signs, and AODA accessibility signs.

Can I be personally liable if someone is injured and elevator signs are missing?

Yes. Under Ontario negligence law, building owners and managers owe a duty of care to all persons using the building. Missing or inadequate safety signage — especially "In Case of Fire" signs and capacity plates — can be evidence of negligence. In serious injury or death cases, directors and officers of corporations can face personal liability under the TSSA Act.

Where can I find TSSA-compliant elevator signs?

Niagara Stands Out produces CSA B44 compliant elevator and escalator signs in durable materials (engraved aluminum, stainless steel, rigid PVC). We offer tactile and Braille options for AODA compliance. Custom engraving with your building-specific information is available with same-day turnaround. Contact us for a quote →

Need AODA, MTO, or DOT-compliant lettering? Our compliance lettering specialists have you covered.

Back to blog