Address elevator pit waterproofing requirements and common failure points

Steps

1. Confirm the elevator has Firefighters' Emergency Operation (most passenger elevators do); ASME A17.1 §2.2.2.5 then requires the pit to have a drain or sump pump sized to a stated minimum capacity (commonly cited around 3,000 gallons per hour / 50 gpm per car) — verify against the current A17.1/CSA B44 edition adopted by the jurisdiction.
2. Discharge the pit drain/sump through an indirect waste connection into the sanitary or storm drainage system per the applicable plumbing code — the indirect (air-gap) connection prevents sewage/storm surcharge from backing into the hoistway.
3. Waterproof the pit itself per the applicable building code's below-grade trigger (e.g., IBC §1805.3) whenever the pit floor is below the water table or subject to hydrostatic pressure, so the sump pump isn't the sole line of defense.
4. Include a positive means (trap seal, gasketed cover, or check-valve arrangement per the plumbing code) to keep sewer gases/water from entering the hoistway through the drain.
5. Confirm whether the local elevator safety program (some states publish technical bulletins) mandates a specific periodic sump-pump function test beyond the base A17.1 text.