Terms of Use & Disclaimer

The short version

A17 Code is a reference guide, not the code. The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) — your state or local elevator inspector, building official or fire marshal — always has the final word. Before you design, install, alter, repair, inspect, test or put any equipment in service, confirm every requirement with the AHJ and the edition of the code they have adopted, and use a licensed professional.

1. Information only — not professional advice

Everything on a17code.com — code summaries, the Hoistway Explorer, calculators, charts, the Bookstore and answers from Ask Joey — is general information for educational purposes. It is not engineering, legal, inspection or other professional advice, and it does not create any professional or client relationship. Do not rely on it as the sole basis for any decision about the design, installation, operation, maintenance, inspection or alteration of any equipment.

2. Always check with the Authority Having Jurisdiction

Codes are adopted, amended and enforced differently by each state, county and city, and different jurisdictions enforce different editions. The AHJ's interpretation controls. You agree to verify every requirement with the AHJ and the officially published code before acting on anything you read or calculate here.

3. Not the official code — no affiliation

Our summaries are written in our own words and are not the text of any code or standard. A17 Code is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by ASME, CSA Group, NFPA, the International Code Council, the U.S. Access Board, ASSP or any other standards organization or government agency. Names of codes and standards belong to their owners and are used only to identify them. Buy the official publications from their publishers or authorized sellers.

4. Calculators and AI answers can be wrong

Calculators give estimates from general formulas and the numbers you enter. Ask Joey is an automated AI assistant; its answers are machine-generated, may be incomplete, out of date or wrong, and are not reviewed by a person before you see them. Always check results against manufacturer data, the adopted code and a qualified professional.

5. No warranty

The site and everything on it are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including accuracy, completeness, currency, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.

6. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent allowed by law, A17 Code, its owner, operators and affiliates are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary or punitive damages — including injury, property damage, failed inspections, fines, delays or lost profits — arising from or related to your use of, or reliance on, the site, its content, calculators or Ask Joey. If liability is found anyway, total liability is limited to one hundred U.S. dollars (US$100).

7. Your responsibility and indemnity

You are solely responsible for how you use the information and for compliance with all laws, codes, permits and licensing rules that apply to your work. You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless A17 Code, its owner and operators from any claims, losses or expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the site or your work.

8. Accounts and verification

Ask Joey and the field tools require a verified account. You agree to give accurate information, keep your sign-in to yourself, and not misuse the service (including automated scraping or attempts to get around limits). We may suspend or end access at any time.

9. Information we collect

When you sign up we collect your name, email address, phone number and company, and we keep records of sign-ins and the questions you ask Joey to run, secure and improve the service. We do not sell your personal information. Codes we send are used only to verify you.

10. Affiliate links

Some links, including Bookstore links, are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

11. Governing law and changes

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina. Any dispute will be handled in the state or federal courts serving Dare County, North Carolina. We may update these terms; the effective date above shows the current version, and continued use means you accept the update.

By creating an account or using the site you agree to these Terms of Use & Disclaimer.