Questions Submitted to the
Bureau of Elevator Safety for the
April 2005 Elevator
Association of Florida meeting -
including the Bureau's answers
NOTE: AT THE MEETING, BUREAU CHIEF CATHY WHITE
ANNOUNCED THAT ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS ARE BEING DEFERRED TO
A LATER DATE TO ALLOW MORE TIME TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOP ANSWERS.
Question
1: (This is typical
of several questions asking basically the same thing). At the last
meeting the Bureau answered a question regarding the
requirement for inspections on two-stop elevators (question #
3). The reply was to reference FAC 61C-5.013(1)(b) which
requires that A17.1 be complied with. Is this is in direct
conflict with FL Statutes 399.061(1)(a), which directly exempts
two-stop elevators (not dumbwaiters or escalators) covered
under full service agreements? Does FL Statutes have precedence
over FL Administrative Code?
Question 3 from January meeting:
My 3rd
party elevator inspectors says I still need to
have my elevators “witnessed” every year even though they are
two stop hydraulic units and under a full maintenance contract.
Please clarify this once and for all. The 399.061 code states
that (routine) inspections are not required (2 stop units) as
long as they remain under a full service contract. The A17 code
does not use the term “Witnessing” although the term is
commonly used to refer to the “Rule 1002.2 1-year Inspection
and Test requirements”. Additionally, the Bureau’s Industry
Information Bulletin (No. 2001-08 October 22, 2001) states in
paragraph five that “all conveyances maintained under a
continuous service contract must be inspected once every two
years by a Certified Elevator Inspector”, - then Bulletin (N0.
2000-06 November 7, 2000) adds the sentence excluding two stop
elevators covered by a service contract from any inspections.
Please clarify.
Answer: Periodic tests are required to be performed by the registered
elevator company as a part of its full maintenance contract (FAC
61C-5.013(1)(b).
A written record of the results is required to be maintained in the
elevator equipment room (FAC 61C-5.013(1)(d).
Question
2: On two landing
“exempt” elevators, when the tests are witnessed, does a full
inspection have to be performed in compliance with Rules 1002.1
and 1003.1 which require that “routine inspections and tests”
be performed in addition to the periodic inspections and tests?
Question 3:
Section 8.6 of the 2000 Edition of A17.1 covers “Maintenance,
Repair, and Replacement”. Many of the new requirements are the
same Rules that are in A17.3 that has not been enforced in
Florida. (ie: immediate replacement of all single-bottom
in-ground cylinders). Does Rule 8.6 conflict with F.S.
399.03(7), or will it be effective in Florida? If effective –
will it be enforced. (A17.3 has been adopted by Chapter 30 of
the Florida Building Code, but it is not being enforced and
many of Rules are the same or similar).
Question 4: 8.7.2.14.2(e)
of the 2000 code says that the side exit shall be permanently
fixed in the closed position. Does that mean that they would
have to cut a hole in the top of the elevator to comply with
code?
Question 5: When will
the Certificate of Competency exam be revised to reflect the changes to
the Statutes, Administrative Rules, and Codes?
Question too late for
submission: I am currently under
contract to install new cab interior finishes in (2) passenger elevators
in Sarasota. They are 8 stop, OTIS, traction, duplex units. They each
have car top emergency escape hatches but also, have side emergency exit
doors. The new interior configuration would render the side exits
inaccessible. Currently the only access to the hoistway with a door key
is at the bottom and top landings. Does the code require access to the
hoistway at all landings if we render the side exit inoperable?
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