Former Chief Rich Atkinson passes away
Rich Atkinson, Chief Elevator Inspector for the Department of Labor and Industries from February 1999 to June 2001, passed away on April 1, 2004, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Rich left L&I to take a position with the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities in Phoenix, Ariz. As director for NAESA, Rich's impact on the industry extended beyond North America to the international community, where he participated in various ISO committees.

Rich leaves behind his wife Lynne, three sons and four grandchildren. If you would like to send your condolences to the family, the address is:

Lynne Atkinson
4513 E. Grovers Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85032.

Developing license tests to meet new law requirements
With the passage of Senate Bill 6650 this past legislative session, it is time to begin focusing on our next task — developing tests for all the different categories of licenses and for the elevator contractor's license. Committees are being formed to address each category of license. The categories have been listed below, along with the names of the people who have volunteered to help with the development of a test for each category. If you are interested in serving on a committee, please contact Danielle Rau at 360-902-6128.

Category 01: General elevator mechanic license allowing for the performance of all work on all conveyances.
Committee members: Bill Morrell, MedSurg Systems; Roland Lamarche, Goldenwest

Category 02: Mechanic license allowing for performance of all work on commercial and residential wheelchair lifts, dumbwaiters and inclined chairlifts.

Category 03: Mechanic license allowing for performance of all work on electric and hand-powered manlifts, special purpose elevator and belt manlifts in industrial sites and grain terminals.

Category 04: Mechanic license allowing for performance of all work on temporary personnel hoists, temporary material hoists and special purpose elevators.

Category 05: Mechanic license allowing for performance of all work on material lifts. Committee members: Tom Archie, PFlow

Category 06: Mechanic license allowing for performance of all work on residential wheelchair lifts, residential dumbwaiters and residential inclined chairlifts. Committee members: Bill Morrell, MedSurg Systems; George Wendt, Tacoma Power

Category 07: Mechanic license allowing for performance of all work on residential inclined elevators. Committee members: Mark Hansen, Hillside Elevator Inc.; Scott Sprague, Accumar;
Bob McLaughlin (chairman)

Category 08: Mechanic license allowing employees of public agencies to perform only maintenance on conveyances owned by their employer. Committee members: Tom Kennedy (chairman); George Wendt, Tacoma Power

Elevator Contractor's License: Bill Morrell, MedSurg Systems; Dotty Stanlaske, L&I (chairwoman)

May 2004
May 11: Public hearing on proposed rule changes, Spokane,
1 to 2 p.m.

May 12: Public hearing on proposed rule changes, Tukwila L&I office, 3 to 4 p.m.

May 18: Advisory Committee meeting, L&I Tukwila office,
9 a.m. to noon

May 28: Projected adoption date for proposed rules

July 2004
July 1: Projected effective date for implementation of A17.1 2000 code and addenda; projected effective date for implementation of licensing requirements.

If you are an elevator company or manufacturer that is seeking approval of new technology for installation in the state of Washington, you may request that the department supply technical services on this equipment. These field technical services may include code evaluation, code consultation, plan examination, code interpretation and clarification of technical data relating to the application of the department's conveyance rules. The fee for this service is $60 per hour (including travel time), plus the standard per diem and mileage allowance. Out-of-state technical services for new technology may be arranged by contacting the chief elevator inspector. Only the chief or his/her designated representative may conduct technical services out of state.

Q. What are the size requirements for elevator cab interiors in buildings of four stories or more?
A. Per the IBC, Chapter 30, Rule 3002.4: "In buildings four stories in height or more, at least one elevator shall be provided for fire department emergency access to all floors. Such elevator car shall be of such a size and arrangement to accommodate a 24-inch by 76-inch ambulance stretcher in the horizontal, open position."

IBC further defines a story as: "That portion of a building included between the upper surface of a floor and the upper surface of the floor or roof next above. It is measured as the vertical distance from top to top of two successive tiers of beams or finished floor surfaces and, for the topmost story, from the top of the floor finish to the top of the ceiling joists or, where there is not a ceiling, to the top of the roof rafters."

When submitting plans for elevators in buildings with four or more stories, a cab size of 54 inches by 80 inches with an opening of 42 inches for a side slide door is required. Installations that do not meet this requirement will be approved by the department if accompanied by a letter from the local building official having jurisdiction, indicating that the building official is agreeable to the cab size.

April 2004
Edition 10