Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Etc.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances ch. 222, subch. 2

in effect

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-50 Scope.

222-50. Scope. 1. Regulations contained in this subchapter with respect to elevators, power dumbwaiters, material handling elevators, moving walks and ramps, personnel hoists, and escalators are deemed supplemental to ch. SPS 318, Wis. Adm. Code. Plans required in subch III, ch. SPS 318, Wis. Adm. Code, shall be submitted to the commissioner instead of the Wisconsin department of safety and professional services together with 3 copies of the permit application.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-51 Enforcement.

222-51. Enforcement. 1. The commissioner or his duly authorized representative shall enforce the regulations of this subchapter. 2. It shall be the duty of the police and fire departments to assist the commissioner or any of his duly authorized representatives in the enforcement of this subchapter, and to permit and allow the commissioner or his representatives inside fire and police lines. 3. The commissioner or his duly authorized representative shall have the right and authority to start legal action to enforce the penalties of this code against any person who has violated any of the regulations of this subchapter. 4. The elevator inspector or inspectors and others duly authorized by the commissioner shall have the power and are authorized to enter any building or premises in the city except occupied dwellings without hindrance from anyone for the purpose of examining elevators or other devices regulated in this chapter and for the enforcement of this subchapter. The engineer or operator having charge of such equipment shall assist the commissioner or other duly authorized person or persons to such extent that he or they may be able to make careful and thorough investigation of every portion of the operating machinery, supports and enclosures connected with such equipment. 5. It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse lawful entry to the commissioner or his duly authorized representative, or to interfere with, harass, abuse, obstruct or cause delay in the performance of their duties.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-52 Construction Permits.

222-52. Construction Permits. 1. PERMIT REQUIRED. Except as regulated in pars. a and b, no person shall install, alter, repair or replace any elevator or other device regulated in s. SPS 318.1002, Wis. Adm. Code, without first obtaining a permit therefor and paying the fees as prescribed in s. 200-33. a. In cases of emergency the permit may be obtained within 72 hours from the time the work is started. b. Where the extent and cost of the alteration, repair or replacement work is not known in advance, a minimum permit fee must be obtained and a supplemental fee paid after such cost has been determined. 2. APPLICATION FOR PERMIT. An application for permit shall be filed with the commissioner on a form furnished for such purpose for each elevator, moving stairway (escalator), dumbwaiter or other device regulated in this subchapter. Such application shall describe the installation, alteration, repair or replacement work to be done and shall give the separate cost for each elevator, moving stairway (escalator), dumbwaiter or other device. 3. ISSUANCE OF PERMIT. The issuance of a permit for an elevator or other device regulated in this chapter shall not preclude compliance with all ordinances or other laws referring to occupancy and use or construction. No other work on the elevator or other device regulated in this chapter shall be done except work authorized by the permit and as shown on the approved plans (s. 222-53). 4. WORK WITHOUT PERMIT. Where any work is begun on the installation, alteration, repair or replacement of any elevator or other device regulated in s. SPS 318.1002, Wis. Adm. Code, without obtaining a permit as regulated in sub. 1, the commissioner shall have the power and authority to stop such work until a permit has been procured and quadruple fees paid as regulated in s. 200-32-3. 5. WITHHOLDING OF PERMITS. a. Whenever any elevator installation occurs contrary to the regulations of this chapter, the commissioner shall issue an order to remedy the defective work to the violator at his or her last known address. Failure to comply with the order shall be deemed sufficient reason for withholding future permits, in addition to other penalties provided in this code. b. The commissioner may also withhold future permits whenever an elevator contractor fails to: b-1. Perform elevator work within a reasonable period of time after the issuance of a permit. b-2. Promptly respond to official communication from the commissioner.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-53 Plans and Specifications.

222-53. Plans and Specifications. 1. At the time of a filing of an application for a construction permit the commissioner shall require the manufacturer, owner, installer or user of any elevator or other device regulated in this subchapter to submit plans (drawings) in triplicate, data and specifications, schedules, or literature, information or tests as may be necessary to determine the fitness of equipment for the safe installation and use. 2. The approval of general building plans and specifications by the commissioner shall not be considered as including approval of the installation of any elevator or other device regulated in this subchapter.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-54 Safety Tests and Tags.

222-54. Safety Tests and Tags. A tag shall be fastened to the governor releasing carrier upon completion of a satisfactory test of the car safety device and speed governor. Reports of tests as specified in ch. SPS 318, Wis. Adm. Code, shall also be submitted to the department.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-55 Protection of Openings in Floors.

222-55. Protection of Openings in Floors. 1. All openings in floors for the installation, enlargement, extension, alteration, repair or replacement of elevators or other equipment regulated by this chapter shall be protected as provided in ch. 252. 2. It shall be the responsibility of the person making such floor opening to provide and maintain the required protection until the work of installing, enlarging, extending, altering, repairing or replacing such elevator or other equipment is started. 3. Thereafter the person installing, enlarging, extending, altering, repairing or replacing such elevator or other equipment shall be responsible for maintaining the required protection until all of the work on the elevator or other equipment is completed.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-56 Elevator-Electrical Installation by Licensed Contractor.

222-56. Elevator-Electrical Installation by Licensed Contractor. 1. No person shall engage in electrical work in connection with elevators unless the person is a state-licensed elevator mechanic doing work for a state-licensed elevator contractor or a state-licensed electrician working for a state-licensed electrical contractor. 2. All elevator electrical work shall be regulated by the provisions of this code.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-57 Mechanical Brakes.

222-57. Mechanical Brakes. Every existing drum type elevator machine equipped with a mechanical brake shall be provided with an electrical brake and direction stop and final limit switches at each terminal of travel.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-58 Drains in Elevator Pits.

222-58. Drains in Elevator Pits. In all elevator shaftways located on or below grade, a floor drain or sump pump shall be installed in accordance with ch. SPS 382, Wis. Adm. Code.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-59 Door Interlock or Contact and Lock.

222-59. Door Interlock or Contact and Lock. All existing passenger elevators, except roped hydraulic elevators, shall be provided with an approved interlock or contact and lock on each hoistway entrance door or gate in the same manner as required by ch. SPS 318, Wis. Adm. Code, as amended, for new elevators. All necessary requirements of emergency keys and keyways shall also be provided.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-60 Gates and Doors.

222-60. Gates and Doors. Every new or existing passenger elevator, except roped hydraulic elevators, shall be provided with a car gate or car door at each entrance to the car used for loading and unloading. Such gate or door shall be equipped with an approved electric contact which will prevent the car from running unless the car gate or door is in the closed position. Such electric contact shall be so located that it is not readily accessible from the inside of the car.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-61 Freight Elevators.

222-61. Freight Elevators. 1. Freight elevators shall not be permitted to carry passengers. 2. Each freight elevator shall contain a sign which reads: "THIS IS NOT A PASSENGER ELEVATOR. NO PERSON OTHER THAN A FREIGHT HANDLER IS PERMITTED TO RIDE ON THIS ELEVATOR." The sign shall be permanently and securely fastened in a conspicuous location within the car enclosure. The sign shall be of such material and construction that the letters stamped, etched, cast or otherwise applied to the face shall remain permanently and readily legible. The letters shall not be less than 1/2 inch (13 mm.) high.

Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-2/CH222.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/26/2026