Elevator Pit Sump Pumps: Code Requirements and How to Choose One

Elevator pit drainage requirements depend on the applicable code edition and the elevator installation. When an elevator has Firefighters' Emergency Operation, ASME A17.1 calls for a sump pump that can remove at least 3,000 gallons per hour (50 GPM) per hoistway. The pump has to discharge the right way, stay out of the way of elevator equipment, and, on hydraulic elevators, avoid pumping oil into the drain.

This guide covers what the code asks for, how to choose a pump that actually meets it, and how to keep it inspection ready. Browse our Tsurumi sump pumps as you read.

1. Why Elevator Pits Need a Sump Pump

The elevator pit is the lowest point in the building, so water ends up there. Groundwater seeps in, cleaning water runs down the hoistway, and in a fire, sprinkler and hose water can pour down the shaft. Standing water in the pit can damage buffers, switches, wiring, and hydraulic components, and it can take an elevator out of service when firefighters need it most.

That is why the code ties the requirement to Firefighters' Emergency Operation. Proper drainage helps protect equipment and supports the building’s emergency response plan. It is also a common item in commercial building pump systems.

2. What the Code Requires

Requirements come from the elevator code (ASME A17.1), your plumbing code, and your state or city elevator program. Here is how they usually fit together:

Code editions and local amendments vary. Treat this table as a starting point and confirm details with your elevator inspector and plumbing official before you buy.

3. Hydraulic Elevators and the Oil Problem

Hydraulic elevators run on oil, and seals or fittings can leak into the pit. A standard sump pump cannot tell oil from water, so it will pump both into the drain. Discharge rules vary by jurisdiction, and hydraulic fluid must be kept out of drainage systems where prohibited.

The fix is an oil-sensing control. It lets the pump remove water normally, but when it detects oil it shuts the pump off and sounds an alarm. We carry the SJE Oil Spotter sensing panel with high-water alarm, which stops the pump and alerts staff when oil or hydraulic fluid is present. Some Tsurumi pit pumps, such as the Tsurumi LSC1.4S pitless sump pump, are also available with an oil-sensing system.

4. How to Choose an Elevator Sump Pump

Meet 50 GPM at your real head

This is where many installations fall short. A pump's headline flow is measured with no lift. Once the pump has to push water up the discharge pipe and through fittings and a check valve, flow drops. A pump rated at about 60 GPM maximum can deliver well under 50 GPM at a typical pit discharge height. Check the pump curve at your total dynamic head and choose a pump that still clears 50 GPM per hoistway there.

Automatic operation that fits the pit

Pits are tight, and a tethered float can hang up on the pit wall or the elevator equipment. Compact pumps with a built-in switch avoid that. The Tsurumi LB-480A elevator pit sump pump uses electrodes instead of a float, so it fits spaces where standard floats will not, and a timer prevents short cycling. See our pumps with built-in floats and float switches explained for other options.

Simplex or duplex

A duplex setup can provide redundancy or additional capacity. Have the designer confirm the capacity required for each hoistway and the shared drainage arrangement. Our guide to simplex vs duplex pump systems explains when the second pump is worth it.

Alarms and controls outside the pit

A high-water alarm tells building staff when the pump cannot keep up. Mount the control panel outside the pit, in a janitor closet or machine room, so non elevator equipment stays out of the hoistway.

Check valve, discharge, and power

Install a check valve so water does not drain back into the pit, and size the discharge pipe at least as large as the pump outlet. Have an electrician confirm the circuit and protection required for the installation. Electrical code rules for pit receptacles and GFCI protection have changed across editions, so confirm the setup with your electrician and inspector.

5. Pit and Installation Tips

- Follow the elevator drawings. The elevator manufacturer's pit layout shows where the sump can go without interfering with buffers or the cylinder.

- Keep the sump covered. Use a grate that sits level with the pit floor and can bear foot traffic.

- Pick a pump that handles grit. Pit water carries sand and debris, so a pump with a hardened impeller and a protected seal lasts longer.

- Plan the indirect discharge. Route the discharge to an approved receptor, such as a floor sink with an air gap, outside the hoistway.

6. Testing and Maintenance

The inspector may require a flow test under the applicable local procedure. Confirm that the installed pump meets the required flow at the actual discharge head. Between inspections:

• Clear debris and sediment from the sump so the switch and intake stay clean.
• Run the pump through a full cycle and confirm it shuts off properly.
• Test the high-water alarm and, on hydraulic elevators, the oil sensor.
• Check the check valve and discharge line for leaks or backflow.

If the pump runs but does not move water, work through our sump pump not pumping water checklist.

Choosing the Right Pump

An elevator pit sump pump has one job, but the code sets a real bar: at least 50 GPM per hoistway, an approved discharge arrangement, oil control where required, and equipment placement that meets local rules. Choose on flow at your actual head, pick a switch that fits the pit, add an alarm, and add oil-sensing for hydraulic elevators. Compare our submersible sump pumps to find the right fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do elevator pits require a sump pump?

Under applicable editions of ASME A17.1, a drain or sump pump is required for certain elevators with Firefighters’ Emergency Operation. The code requires a drain or sump pump in the pit of any elevator with Firefighters' Emergency Operation, which covers most commercial and multi-story elevators. Your local elevator inspector and plumbing code decide the final details, so confirm with your authority having jurisdiction.

How many GPM does an elevator sump pump need?

ASME A17.1 calls for a sump pump that can remove at least 3,000 gallons per hour per hoistway, which is 50 GPM. That rate has to be met at your system's real total head, not just at the pump's maximum rated flow.

Can an elevator sump pump discharge into the sanitary sewer?

Plumbing codes generally require an elevator pit sump to discharge through an indirect waste connection, such as an air gap into a floor sink or receptor, rather than piping directly into the sewer. Whether it goes to the sanitary or storm system depends on local rules, especially for hydraulic elevators where oil is a concern.

Why does a hydraulic elevator pit need oil detection?

Hydraulic elevators use oil, and a leak can collect in the pit. Many jurisdictions do not allow that oil to be pumped into the drainage system. An oil-sensing control stops the pump and sounds an alarm when it detects oil, so the oil can be cleaned up properly instead of discharged.

Ready to Equip Your Elevator Pit?

Shop Tsurumi sump pumps and control panels, explore our custom systems, or call (844) 378-6771 for expert help.