The Rising Times: March 2004


The Rising Times: March 2004 :: Edition 9









			During the past few months, I have been working with various stakeholders and the Elevator Safety Advisory Committee on the upcoming licensing requirements for elevator contractors and mechanics. Initially, the Department of Labor and Industries was prepared to adopt licensing requirements for elevator contractors and mechanics on March 1, 2004, with an implementation date of April 1, 2004. However, in light of the legislation that was presented to the Legislature this session regarding licensing requirements for conveyance work performed on private residence conveyances, it was determined that implementation of the initial licensing requirements should be delayed in order to roll out all the changes together. This determination was made to enable the department to extend the grandfathering clause for licensing to those affected by the residential licensing requirements and to also allow the department to go through the process of filing rules, scheduling public hearings and adopting rules once rather than twice. Implementation of all licensing requirements is now projected to take place on July 1, 2004. The effective date for the adoption of A17.1 2000 codes has also been delayed until July 1, 2004. I understand that there has been consternation among some companies, as they have sold equipment based on the original projected date of March 1 for adoption of the A17.1 2000 code. Along with various other changes, the A17.1 2000 code and addenda allows for the installation of plug-in chairlifts and increased platform sizes and capacities for some conveyances. In order to alleviate any concerns the delay in implementation may have caused, the department will allow variances on these items until the effective date of July 1, 2004. Variances must be requested on a department-approved form and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. The rule-writing process for the licensing requirements has been a challenging and often frustrating process. However, due to the commitment of the individuals involved and their ability to view the bigger picture, we were able to develop what I believe are fair rules and regulations to support these requirements. Thank you all for your hard work and the time you devoted to this issue. On a sadder note, it is with deep regret that I must inform you that Ken Pomjevich, inspector in Region 1, has passed away. Bruce Weech, Ken's supervisor, described Ken as a "big man with a big heart." Ken leaves behind a wife and several children I can be reached by e-mail at sdot235@LNI.wa.gov or by phone at 360-902-6128. - Dotty Stanlaske, Elevator Chief

New inspectors Dick Rayner, left, and Dave Clary join L&I.

Inspectors Dick Rayner, left, and Dave Clary

In the past few months, we have had three new inspectors join our department.

Inspector Dick Rayner replaces Howard Long in Region 1. In addition, Dick will perform inspections in Region 2. Dick has 35 years of experience in the industry. Most of those years were spent performing service on conveyances.

Inspector Dave Clary had previously worked for L&I as an elevator inspector in a temporary position. He is now working in the Elevator Section on a permanent basis. Dave will be performing inspections in Regions 3 and 4. Dave has more than 35 years of experience in the elevator industry performing service, repair and installations.


Inspector Jim Sevores

Inspector Jim Sevores is the most recent addition to the elevator inspectors. Jim brings more than 30 years of experience in the elevator industry to his new position. Jim is working in Region 2 and replaces Bob Hoeschen, who retired February 27.

I hope you will join me in welcoming all these men aboard.

HB2624 for licensing requirements submitted to Legislature
At the request of the Elevator Safety Advisory Committee, Labor and Industries submitted HB2624 to the Legislature this session. This legislation provides L&I the ability to establish licensing requirements for conveyance work performed on private residence conveyances in rule. This bill also provides an exemption from licensing requirements for maintenance work on private residence conveyances performed by an owner, or at the direction of the owner, provided the owner resides in the residence at which the conveyance is located and the conveyance is not accessible to the general public. This legislation was amended to clarify that this exemption would not apply to maintenance work performed on private residence conveyances located in or at adult family homes licensed under chapter 70.128 RCW, boarding homes licensed under chapter 18.20 RCW, or similarly licensed caregiving facilities. At the same time that HB2624 was amended, SB6650 was submitted in the Senate. The language on this legislation mirrored the amended version of HB2624. Both of these legislations passed out of committee and the legislation is now on the Governor's desk awaiting his signature.

In anticipation of the Governor signing this legislation, the Department of Labor and Industries has been working with stakeholders on the rules to support this legislation. A draft version of these rules has been posted on our web site at www.LNI.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/elevators. The final draft will be posted once the rules have been reviewed by the Attorney General's Office. It is anticipated that the rules will be adopted by June 1, 2004, with an effective date of July 1, 2004.

March 2004
March 11: Draft WAC rules sent to Attorney General's Office for review

April 2004
April 6: Proposed rules to be filed with the Code Reviser's Office

May 2004
May 11: Public hearing on proposed rule changes, Spokane (location and time to be determined)
May 12: Public hearing on proposed rule changes, 1 to 5 p.m., Tumwater L&I office
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.

Pilot Program:
Effective Friday, March 5, 2004, the L&I Elevator Section began a Residential Conveyance Pilot Program. This program pertains only to installation permits for residential vertical wheelchair lifts, residential inclined wheelchair lifts and residential inclined chairlifts.

Under this program, installation application permits for these conveyances may be brought into L&I's Region 4 office in Tumwater between 9 a.m. and noon each Friday. The permit must be completely filled out and must be accompanied by the correct fee. The permit request must also be accompanied by two complete sets of plans.

The permits will be available for pickup between 9 a.m. and noon the following Monday at L&I's Region 4 office in Tumwater or may be faxed upon request. (If you wish to have the permit faxed, you must indicate this when the permit is submitted.)

Applications that are not completely filled in or that are not accompanied by the necessary fees and/or plans will be returned unprocessed.

We are providing this service to expedite the installation process of these units so that homeowners' accessibility needs may be better met.

Note: Residential elevators, residential dumbwaiters and commercial conveyances are not included in this program. Nor does this program apply to alterations. Any installation requiring a variance will not be included in this program.




		Q. What are the requirements for sprinklers in hoistways and machine rooms? A. The following requirements apply to sprinklers in the machine room and in the hoistway. 1) The machine-room sprinkler piping must terminate in the machine room. The sprinkler piping must not run through the machine room to other spaces. 2) The hoistway must not be used to supply sprinkler runs to more than one floor. 3) The pit will be considered as a floor level. 4) Sprinkler heads at the top of the shaft must terminate in the shaft. The sprinkler must not run through the hoistway to other spaces. "Other spaces" includes the machine room. 5) All risers and returns must be located outside of the hoistway and machine room.







		March 2004 Edition 9



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