Region 4 Elevator Inspectors Steve Hamilton, left, and Bob Bruker

L&I's Region 4 elevator inspectors are responsible for inspecting the conveyances in Southwest Washington.

Inspector Steve Hamilton inspects conveyances in Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston, Pacific and Lewis counties. He has been an L&I inspector for six years. Prior to that, he was an inspector for the city of Seattle. He also worked 16 years in the elevator trade, both in construction and maintenance. While most of his work was here in Washington, Steve spent a short time working in Alaska. To contact Steve, call 360-902-5289.

Inspector Bob Bruker inspects conveyances in Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties. Bob was an inspector with the city of Seattle for 12 years, and the state of New Jersey for two years. He has worked for L&I for 3½ years. Bob began his career in the elevator industry back in 1979 in New York. To contact Bob, call 360-896-2324.

Steve and Bob are certified as Qualified Elevator Inspectors and are members of the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities. They both feel that the importance of their jobs becomes clear when they spot items that are unsafe.

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5942, pertaining to licensing requirements for mechanics and elevator contractors, will become effective on March 1, 2004.

After that date, only licensed elevator mechanics employed by licensed elevator contractors will be allowed to install and alter commercial conveyances. In addition, installation and alteration permits for commercial conveyances will only be issued to licensed elevator contractors.

Licensing requirements will not apply to work performed on private residence conveyances until July 1, 2004. L&I will meet with stakeholders between now and March 1 to answer questions relating to the elevator licensing requirements. ESSB 5942 does not allow L&I to accept applications for licensing until after March 1.

December 2003
Dec. 10: Subcommittee on residential units, 9 a.m. to noon, Tukwila L&I office

February 2003
Feb. 3-4: Elevator inspectors' meeting/training (not a public meeting), L&I Tukwila office
Feb. 17: Advisory Committee meeting (subcommittee on residential units to also meet at this time), 9 to 11 a.m., Tukwila L&I office

Extension Requests:
We often receive requests from customers to extend the deadline for corrections to be made to their conveyances. If you are granted an extension, please make sure that we are notified, in writing, that the work has been performed before the date the extension requires. This will help ensure that you do not receive a penalty.

Alteration Permits:
Alteration permits contain a section for the description of the alteration. Many of the descriptions that are being entered in this section are vague - such as "door equipment" or "cab interior." This makes it difficult for us to process the permit and it also makes it difficult for the inspector when he/she is conducting an inspection.

When we receive a permit that does not specify the items being altered, it often results in a delay in processing the application while we make many phone calls to clarify the work being performed.

You can help us reduce the delay if you are more specific in your description of the items that are encompassed in the alteration. For example, instead of "door equipment," please note that you are installing a new door operator, furnishing new cladding on the doors and installing door restrictors, if that is the case. This will help us to process your request for the application permit in a much quicker timeframe. Please remember that if you are altering the interior of an elevator, the flame spread and smoke rating for the material being used in the alteration must accompany the alteration permit

Each month we will feature a question that was posed to our Technical Specialist, Becky Ernstes. This month's question:

Q: Can telephones that meet ADA requirements be connected to 911?

A: WAC rule 480-120-088 prohibits auto dialers from being connected to 911 telephone networks. Under certain conditions, some schools, fire stations and 911 centers are allowed to be connected to 911. Permission for this must be granted in writing.

In general, telephones that meet ADA requirements in elevators must be monitored at all times. If personnel are not on site at all times to respond to an emergency call from the phone, the person answering the phone must be able to respond appropriately to the emergency.

A personal note
I would like to thank all of my customers, both internal and external, who have made my job at L&I a pleasure. I truly appreciate all the help and guidance I have received over the years. The elevator industry is an ever-growing and changing one and continues to offer challenges to us all. My new position will allow me to continue learning and to pass along the knowledge I gain to others.

I want to remind inspectors, as well as all others who work on elevators and other conveyances, to work safely. We sometimes become complacent about our jobs and forget that accidents do happen. Accidents are avoidable. Each day before you start work, remind yourself to be safe and enjoy what you do.

- Becky Ernstes

November 2003
Edition 6