FLORIDA ELEVATOR CODE COMPLIANCE DEADLINE APPROACHES

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

RULE TITLE:  Florida Administrative Code 61C-5.001 Safety Standards.

NOTICE OF CHANGE

Dear Elevator Licensee or Elevator Personnel,

The Bureau of Elevator Safety has adopted new ASME Elevator Safety Code A17.3-2015, Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators.  Part of this new Safety Code includes Section 3.10 Operating Devices and Control Equipment, Requirement 3.10.12 System to Monitor and Prevent Automatic Operation of the Elevator with Faulty Door Contact Circuits. All conveyances licensed by the State of Florida Bureau of Elevator Safety, including those located within the 5 contracted jurisdictions must be in compliance of the above Code by December 31, 2023.  The Bureau of Elevator Safety encourages all owners of conveyances licensed by the State of Florida or any of its 5 Contracted Jurisdictions to contact your Elevator Company to discuss what your conveyances will need in order to comply with this section of A17.3-2015.

Regards,
Bureau of Elevator Safety

......................................................................................................................

A recent update to the State of Florida Elevator Code requires that all existing elevators “must be in compliance with part 3.10.12 of ASME A17.3-2015, Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators by December 31, 2023”.

Simply put, beginning January 1, 2024, all elevators must have a door-lock monitoring (DLM) system which keeps the elevator locked in place until the doors are completely closed. This system ensures the safety of the passengers aboard the elevator. This requirement became effective for all new elevators built after the code was published in the year 2000.

The update to this code now requires that all elevators in operation, even those built prior to the 2000 change must be brought up to code.

How do you know if your elevator is up to code?

If your elevators were installed or modernized:

• Before 2000 – will likely need to update the elevator control system to meet the safety requirements.
• Between 2000 and 2009 – will likely need to complete a software update and potentially a hardware update to be compliant. Elevators with SS# 59628 or higher or that were modernized after 10/4/2000 should be equipped with the required door lock monitoring.
• After 2009 – Are likely in compliance. However, the elevators need to be reviewed to confirm that the monitoring system is turned on.

Regardless of the date ranges above, each elevator should be inspected by a certified elevator contractor to ensure that it follows the code.

If your elevators do not contain the DLM systems, expect to incur costs of $10,000 to $12,000 per elevator. This cost is for bringing the elevator up to code and does not prolong the lifespan of the elevator. If there is a plan to upgrade within the next couple of years, it may make sense to modernize now rather than pay for the DLM system.

It is important to note that any changes made to elevators to meet the monitoring lock code will require a permit from the DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety.

-

Dave Israel

-