State of Illinois Fire Marshal Elevator Division - 4/9/26 Meeting - Door Lock Monitoring - DLM A17.1 2022 Adoption

State Update

1/1/26 to 4/7/26

Permits – 202

Licensing – 165

New registered elevators – 47

Certificates – 2625

Residential elevators – The meeting began with a statement from the Elevator Safety Division Manager John Andersen. It is his opinion that residential elevators that are in commercial settings are unsafe.  If there are concerns, they should be addressed using the OSFM complaint form.

Robots  - The second item addressed by the Division was the topic of robots using elevators within the State of Illinois. A vote was finally conducted on allowing “concierge robots”.  These are robots that are used in hotels and medical facilities to deliver things. 

The two relevant items brought up were code requirements for elevator interaction, specifically as they pertain to the following sections of the code:

Cyber Security - 8.14 

Remote Interaction Operation - 2.26.13

The Board voted to allow robot interaction – 9-2 in favor.

[In a galaxy far away a long time ago, the Empire approved use of robots of the Deathstar]

The Board then approved IUEC continuing education unanimously. 

A17.1 2022 Code Update – Door Lock Monitoring

JCAR(Joint Committee Administrative Rules) had concerns late in the code approval process and ultimately objected because the economic and budgetary affects had not been considered.  There were  several comments submitted from different organizations, such as universities and lobby groups, which raised concerns about the cost and logistics of implementation. In the end, the Elevator Safety Division withdrew the proposed update. The Division needs to provide more information to JCAR to address those late comments before moving forward.  

One of the primary concerns raised was the lack of clarity regarding how the 2022 code would treat existing elevators with existing DLM. As originally written, even elevators with DLM that satisfies the current code could potentially fail inspections due to a technicality. 

As a side note, the OSFM indicated the delay may be a good opportunity to jump to the A17.1 2025 code instead of having multiple quick code adoptions in a row.  This would be helpful for contractors to have one code that will be in effect for many years. 

JCAR has requested the following 4 items from OSFM to begin moving forward again with code adoption:

1. Magnitude of safety concerns if an elevator lacks DLM

2. Cost burdens

3. How many elevators in the state are affected

4. Could there be additional flexibility phasing in the requirement

Administrator John Andersen responded point by point to the board with the following:

1.     DLM was initially adopted in the 1996 code as a result of fatal accidents in NYC. Currently there are 10,000 accidents a year – mostly by doors - and 27 people die per year. Nine States and AHJs (Authority Having Jurisdictions) have adopted the DLM rules in the 2022 code and retroactive rules. The OSFM fully supports the rules and recommends all non-DLM elevators get DLM.

2.     Costs are estimated between $10k to 25K. Note that this is for a modification of existing equipment and not to install new. It is also an estimate from the OSFM, not from Colley Elevator or a specific elevator contractor. Actual cost will depend on many factors including the age and type of conveyance. 

3.     Currently it is difficult to state how many elevators will be affected by the lack of DLM. JCAR asked for number of pre-1996 elevators and 14,000 are listed as installed prior to that. However, OSFM needs to do additional work as many could have been modernized since their original installation. They have reached out to municipalities for permit information and will be reviewing that data.

4.     OSFM will be working internally to try to arrange a compromise after getting feedback. The Elevator Safety Division understands there will be challenges to implementing the change and are reviewing ways to potentially minimize the negative effects. 

A17.1 2022 State of Illinois Code Update Take Away – We are a ways away from changing codes; there is a long procedural process that the OSFM needs to begin. Additionally, OSFM did raise the possibility about skipping over the 2022 code and moving to the 2025 code instead.  Nothing for buildings to do besides prepare and understand what may be coming their way.  

My suggestion for buildings is that if you have an older elevator, or if you have an elevator that has equipment that is considered “obsolete”, begin planning for a replacement.  For newer buildings, or buildings that have modernized in the last 20-30 years[assuming your elevator is reliable and safe], hold tight for more OSFM/State of Illinois news.  

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.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.