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Questions submitted to the Bureau of Elevator Safety for the
July 2004 Elevator Association of Florida meeting -
including the Bureau's answers
Question 1: Regarding M.R.L. (machine-room-less) type commercial
elevators in the State of Florida; are they legal?
Answer: These devices currently do not fully comply with ASME
A17.1.
Certain aspects of machine room-less elevators do not
meet code or administrative rule requirements.
For example ASME A17.1, 101.6 – no machines in the
hoistway, and the Florida Building Code 3003.1.8 exception 2.1 –
Governors in hoistway.
Question 2: Do they require a variance per elevator installation,
per project?
Answer: Yes, a variance to any rules not met is required for
each unit, but you may request a variance for several identical units
that are located at the same location.
Question 3: Do local Fire Departments have the authority to
inspect and order changes with regard to elevators, elevator machine
rooms, and access to both? If yes, by what authority?
Answer: Yes, as long as it does not affect the actual
operation of the elevator or if there are rule requirements adopted by
the Authority having jurisdiction that need to be met.
For example, an elevator machine room door swinging
into an exit corridor may violate the Life Safety Code and may have to
be relocated or made to swing in.
However, Enforcement would be limited to the extent of
69A-47, Uniform Fire Safety Standards for Elevators (enclosures,
detectors and fire sprinklers).
Question 4: We would like to know if the local fire department,
having jurisdiction, can over-ride the requirement for initiating devices
in open-air lobbies. This question was previously asked as below:
ASME A17.1 Rule 211.3b was revised with the 1997
edition, changing the requirement for smoke detectors for recall to
"automatic fire initiating devices"
and removed the words "except at unenclosed landings".
This rule requires such devices to be installed in elevator spaces and
at each elevator floor "in compliance with NFPA-72" (National Fire
Alarm Code). An exception in NFPA-72 allows the use of heat detectors
for recall in unenclosed lobbies where smoke detectors are not
feasible.
As the local Fire Marshal is the enforcing authority
for NFPA-72, if they grant a variance or exception in writing from
NFPA-72 removing the requirement for automatic fire initiating devices
for elevator recall in open air (unenclosed) lobbies, will the Bureau
of Elevator Safety accept the exception and allow these devices to be
eliminated?
Answer: No, the language of the Code requires something there
and a fire official on its own would not be able to simply waive it. A
code change is necessary to eliminate these outside detectors.
Question 5: There is a flexible, blue plastic conduit known in
the industry as "Smurf" tubing used by electricians in many
applications. Is this acceptable for electrical wiring in elevator
hoistway and/or machine room?
Answer: The NFPA 70.620-21 does not currently permit the use
of such conduit (National Electrical Code).
Question 6: The annual periodic tests include testing, and
witnessing the testing of the smoke sensors. Is this required in
Florida? If not, please quote a rule or law.
Answer: The requirements are located in ASME A17.1.1002.2f and
1005.2c(5) and 61C-5.013(1)(b) (Maintenance Contract).
Question 7: Generator tests also are part of the witnessed
periodic inspections. Are they to be tested in Florida? If not, please
quote the rule or law.
Answer: The requirements are located in ASME A17.1, 1002.2c
and 1005.2c(6) and the Florida Administrative code 61c-5.013(1)(b).
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