During the March 9th, 2023 State of Illinois Elevator Safety Review Board meeting, held at 5860 w 111th Street – Chicago Ridge, IL, the board addressed the commonly used “temporary acceptance” with a proposed amendment dated 3/9/23 Title 41 part 1000. It was common that an elevator could get a “conditional” or “temporary” acceptance for 30 days while a non-compliant conveyance completed their punch list items. Typically this would enable the elevator to be put in service after a modernization or construction project and allow the public to use the elevator.
Open territory change – Removing temporary certificate of operation
“Temporary Certificate of Operation” means a
certificate issued by OSFM Local Administrator that permits the temporary use
of a non-compliant conveyance by the general public for a limited time of 30
days while minor repairs are being completed, or for construction or demolition
to provide transportation for construction personnel, tools, and materials
only. [225 ILCS 312/15]”
Local rule change – Striking temporary operation inspections
B) Provide for inspection of elevators, including temporary operation inspections
which assess a conveyance’s readiness for use in performing tasks for
construction or demolition purposes only, such as providing transportation for
construction personnel, tools and material, in accordance with ASME A17.1,
Section 5.10;
Typically we have good building owners that address all deficiencies in a timely manner and have their conveyances re-inspected and passed with a code compliant elevator system. This amendment is for the companies and building owners who do not address the deficiencies in a timely manner. It appears the spirit of the amendment is to close up the loose ends and have each elevator 100% compliant prior to being put back into service.
Our
challenges as contractors is to educate and encourage our building
owners/property managers to understand their responsibilities during new
construction and elevator modernization and have everything completed. In most instances our elevator work can be
completed and work well but we still need electrician work, smoke detector/fire
company work, technology[phone line and CAT 5/signal for visual communication] as well as other trades such as plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, etc. Each elevator is different, requirements are
a little bit different, and requires different items. There will be more hustle during projects prior
to having them turned over that will require a team effort between the elevator
contractor, building owner, property manager, construction manager and all
parties to the project.
Unintended consequences – Some of the unintended consequences to the new amendment will be elevators will stay shut down even after the elevator contractor is completed because of “work by others” that still needs to be completed. The elevator remaining off will inhibit building accessibility in some events. We may see some of our elevator constructors staying home because planned projects are waiting on “work by others” before they can start the 2nd car in a group. An unintended consequence may also be the cost of multiple inspections that include our work by other partners such as fire companies, and building generator companies.
The spirit of the amendment is a good thing, a suggestion at the board meeting is to outline minor and major deficiencies i.e. You can let a building get acceptance for 30 days with minor deficiencies and not let a building get acceptance with major deficiencies. Examples below
Examples of major deficiencies
No phone line
No visual/text feature
No automatic fireman’s recall
Safety string not functioning correctly
Examples of minor deficiencies
No machine room vent
Missing dust cover
Missing certificate
frame
Missing Braille
Some items that may need to be clarified so everyone is on the same page;
Does automatic recall need to be tested each time a car in a group is being inspected? Typically this was done during the final inspection of the final car.
If a building has a generator that runs the elevators, does the generator need to be tested each time a new elevator is being turned over? Typically a full generator test was done with the final inspection of the final car.
Take away to building owners/elevator contractors – If you are having elevators inspected you will need to do a better job buttoning up your projects, it may not business as usual. Talk to your elevator inspector and get their input on how are they going to inspect the elevator so you understand their expectations. In Illinois we have a few different elevator inspection firms we have 2 classifications of jurisdiction “Open” and “Local” and each of their philosophies are going to be different. The biggest item is to get your "Work by Others" items done as quickly as you can and coordinate with your elevator contractor to make sure you get your elevator back to service as quickly as possible.
If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.
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