Section 12-A3010. CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION

 

Insert new Section 3010 in the Building Code to read as follows:

 

3010.1 General.  No elevator or conveying system, including, but not limited to, escalators, dumbwaiters, wheelchair lifts, cartveyors, manlifts and moving walks, shall be operated without a valid certificate of inspection issued by the code official.

 

Exceptions:

 

1.Where the code official authorizes limited approval of use in accordance with the provisions of Section 3010.2.

 

2.Elevators and conveying systems covered by the Residential Code where the equipment is serving one dwelling unit.

 

3.In Groups R-2 and R-3 occupancies where the equipment is serving one dwelling unit.

 

3010.2 Limited approval of use. The code official is authorized to grant limited approval of use for any equipment covered by this chapter.

 

3010.2.1 Work performed under permit.  A permit issued to install, relocate, alter or repair any equipment covered by this chapter, shall serve as limited approval of use of the equipment by the permit holder during the period of such installation, relocation, alteration or repair.

 

3010.2.2 Construction use.  Limited approval of use of an elevator may be granted by the code official during authorized construction or demolition to provide transportation for construction personnel, tools, and materials, provided that full compliance with ASME A17.1-5.10 has been confirmed by the testing, inspection and certification of the elevator by the code official or by an approved third party inspector.  Public use of an elevator with limited approval of use under this Section 3010.2.2 is prohibited.  Equipment other than elevators shall be tested and protective measures shall be provided as deemed necessary by the code official to ensure safe operation for the limited service specified.

 

3010.2.2.1 Time limitation.  For elevators approved for “Construction Use” under ASME A17.1-5.10, the limited approval of use shall be valid for a maximum period of 90 days.  The code official is authorized to renew the limited approval of use, after performance of the required inspections and/or tests required by ASME A17.1-8.11.5.13, for additional periods of time not exceeding 90 days each.

 

3010.3 Final inspection.  Upon installation, relocation or alteration of an elevator or conveying system for which a permit is required, a final inspection of the equipment is required to verify that all required inspections have been performed and approved.  The permit holder shall apply for and obtain a valid certificate of inspection from the Department within 30 working days after completion of the final inspection.

 

3010.4 Content of certificate of inspection; posting.  The certificate of inspection shall contain the following information:

 

1. The address of the structure.

 

2. The name and address of the owner.

 

3. A description of the vertical transportation equipment (e.g., escalator, elevator, dumbwaiter, wheelchair lift, moving walk or conveyor).

 

4. The rated load and speed.

 

5. A statement that the described equipment has been inspected for compliance with the requirements of the Construction Codes.

 

6. The name of the code official.

 

7. Any special stipulations and conditions of the permit under which the equipment was installed, relocated or altered.

 

3010.4.1 Posting of certificate. A copy of the most current certificate of inspection shall be conspicuously displayed at all times within the elevator car or attached to the conveying system unless exempted pursuant to Section 3010.6.  If the building operator maintains an office in the same building, the certificate of inspection may be made available for public inspection in the office instead of being on display within the elevator.

 

3010.5 Maintenance, testing, inspections. Periodic tests and inspections shall be made by the code official, or by an approved third party agency, and shall be made at the expense and responsibility of the owner.  Except as otherwise provided for in this code, the maintenance, inspection and testing of all elevators and conveying systems and their components, including the frequency of inspections and testing, shall conform to:

 

3010.5.1 Elevators, escalators and other conveyances listed in ASME A17.1, Appendix N.  Inspection and tests shall be performed at not less than the periodic intervals listed in ASME A17.1, Appendix N, except where otherwise specified by the code official.

 

Exception:  Units in residential use serving one family dwelling unit.

 

3010.5.2 Platform lifts and stairway chair lifts.  Inspections and testing of platform lifts and stairway chair lifts shall be performed for all units as stated in ASME A18.1- Section 10.

 

Exception:  Units in residential use serving one family dwelling unit.

 

3010.5.3 Manlifts.  Inspections and testing of manlifts shall be performed for all units as stated in ASME A90.1, Safety Standard for Manlifts.

 

3010.5.4 Conveyors and related equipment.  Inspections and testing of conveyors and related equipment shall be performed as stated in ASME B20.1, Safety Standard for Conveyors and Related Equipment.

 

3010.5.4.1 Cartveyors.  Cartveyors shall be maintained as per original equipment manufacturer’s recommendations.  Inspection and testing shall be at the same frequency as escalators in ASME A17.1, Appendix N.

 

3010.6 Reports and certificates. Where inspections and tests are not made by the code official, the approved agency shall submit a report of the inspections and tests to the code official on approved forms not more than 30 days after completion of the inspection and tests.  Upon receipt of satisfactory inspection and test reports, the code official shall authorize the issuance of a certificate of inspection, or a renewal certificate as provided in Section 3010.9, for each unit of equipment. 

 

Exceptions:  The submission of test reports to the code official and the issuance of certificates and display of certificates is not required:

 

1. In Groups R-2 and R-3 occupancies where the equipment is serving one dwelling unit.

2. In buildings under the jurisdiction of the Residential Code where the equipment is serving one dwelling unit.

 

3010.7 Out of service; temporarily dormant.  A permit from the Department shall be required: (a) to take an elevator or conveying system out of service pursuant to ASME A17.1, Section 8.11.1.4; or (b) to place an elevator or conveying system in temporarily dormant status as set forth in Section 3010.7.1.

 

3010.7.1 Temporarily dormant. An elevator or conveying system shall be temporarily dormant where removed from its normal class of service for an extended period of time (not to exceed five years) by an owner’s decision and not due to maintenance or repair.  During this period of time, the equipment shall be secured for the benefit of public safety in accordance with the following requirements:

 

1. The power supply shall be disconnected by removing fuses and placing a padlock on the mainline disconnect switch in the “OFF” position. The padlock shall not be removed without permission from the code official.

 

2. The unit shall be parked and the hoistway/runway doors securely bolted from opening in any plane. The means of securing the doors shall be exclusive of the interlocks.

 

3. A wire seal shall be installed on the mainline disconnect switch by an elevator inspector accredited by a national certifying agency and approved by the code official.  The wire seal shall not be removed without permission from the code official.

 

4. The equipment shall not be used again until it has been put in safe running order and passed an acceptance test, congruent with the installation date or the Code Data Tag posted on the equipment, as provided in ASME 17.1, Section 8.10 and the owner has obtained a valid certificate of inspection from the code official.

 

5. Annual inspections shall continue for the duration of the period that the elevator is temporarily dormant, and the inspector shall file an annual report with the code official, to confirm that the requirements set forth in this section are met.

 

3010.8 Equipment in operation.  In buildings equipped with passenger elevators, at least one elevator shall be maintained in operation at all times when the building is occupied.

 

Exception:  Buildings equipped with only one elevator or conveying system shall be permitted to have the elevator or conveying system temporarily out of service for testing, maintenance and/or repair.

 

3010.9 Renewal of certificates.  The certificate of inspection, for each elevator and conveying system, must be renewed every 24 months, or at an alternate interval specified by the code official, as long as the unit is in service.  Renewal of the certificate of inspection will be granted upon satisfactory demonstration to the code official that the unit of equipment has met all of the inspections and testing required by the Construction Codes and referenced standards.

 

3010.10 Unsafe equipment.  When, in the opinion of the code official, an elevator or conveying system or its components are unsafe or unlawful, the code official is authorized and empowered to place the unit out of service, and to prohibit the operation of the equipment until the unsafe or unlawful condition is corrected.  The code official shall post on the unsafe equipment a placard or notice bearing the words “Unsafe to Use” and may also attach a lead seal to prevent the equipment from being operated.

 

3010.10.1 Notification of unsafe or unlawful condition.  When an approved Third Party Inspection Agency inspector observes or identifies unsafe or unlawful condition(s) causing an elevator to be removed from service, the inspector shall immediately notify the code official.  The inspector is authorized to place on the unit adjudged to be unsafe or unlawful an “Unsafe to Use” placard.  The code official must be notified immediately of the Third Party Inspector’s action, pursuant to the notification procedures established by the code official.

 

3010.10.2. Placard removal.  The code official shall remove the “Unsafe to Use” notice whenever the defect or defects upon which the closure action was based have been eliminated.  Any person who defaces or removes an “Unsafe to Use” notice or lead seal without the approval of the code official, or operates the placarded equipment, shall be subject to the penalties provided by this code.

 

An approved Third Party Inspector is permitted to remove an “Unsafe to Use Notice” issued by that inspector, after abatement of the unsafe or unlawful condition and appropriate reinspection of the conveyance.

 

Exception:  Placarded equipment may be operated solely as necessary to effectuate repairs.

 

3010.10.3 Abatement methods.  The owner of the equipment deemed unsafe by the code official shall abate or cause to be abated or corrected such unsafe conditions either by repair, rehabilitation, replacement or other approved corrective action.

 

 

authority

Section 10 of the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986 (Act), effective March 21, 1987 (D.C. Law 6-216; D.C. Official Code § 6-1409 (2012 Repl.)) and Mayor’s Order 2009-22, dated February 25, 2009, as amended.

source

Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 2782 (March 28, 2014 – Part 2).

EditorNote

The District of Columbia Building Code (2013), referred to as the “Building Code,” consists of the 2012 edition of the International Building Code as amended by the District of Columbia Building Code Supplement (2013)(12 DCMR A). The International Building Code is copyrighted by the International Code Council and therefore is not republished here. However, a copy of the text may be obtained at:http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ibc/2012/index.htm?bu=IC-P-2012-000001&bu2=IC-P-2012-000019.