ELEVATOR SAFETY

F.S. Ch. 399
in effect

F.S. 399.001 Short title and purpose.

This chapter may be cited as the “Elevator Safety Act.” The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the safety of life and limb and to promote public safety awareness. The use of unsafe and defective lifting devices imposes a substantial probability of serious and preventable injury and exposes employees and the public to unsafe conditions. The prevention of these injuries and the protection of employees and the public from unsafe conditions is in the best interest of the public. Elevator personnel performing work covered by the Florida Building Code must possess documented training or experience or both and be familiar with the operation and safety functions of the components and equipment. Training and experience includes, but is not limited to, recognizing the safety hazards and performing the procedures to which they are assigned in conformance with the requirements of the Florida Building Code. This chapter establishes the minimum standards for elevator personnel.

F.S. 399.01 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term: (1) “Alteration” means any change or addition to the vertical conveyance other than maintenance, repair, or replacement. (2) “Certificate of operation” means a document issued by the department which indicates that the conveyance has had the required safety inspection and tests and that fees have been paid as provided in this chapter. (3) “Conveyance” means an elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, moving sidewalk, platform lift, or stairway chairlift. (4) “Department” means the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. (5) “Division” means the Division of Hotels and Restaurants of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. (6) “Elevator” means one of the following mechanical devices: (a) A hoisting and lowering mechanism, equipped with a car and platform that moves in guide rails and serves two or more landings to transport material or passengers or both. (b) An escalator, which is a power-driven, inclined continuous stairway used for raising or lowering passengers. (c) A dumbwaiter, which is a hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car of limited size which moves in guide rails and serves two or more landings. (d) A moving walk, which is a type of passenger-carrying device on which passengers stand or walk and in which the passenger-carrying surface remains parallel to its direction of motion and is uninterrupted. (e) An inclined stairway chairlift, which is a device used to transport physically handicapped persons over architectural barriers. (f) An inclined or vertical wheelchair lift, which is a device used to transport wheelchair handicapped persons over architectural barriers. (7) “Existing installation” means an installation defined as an “installation, existing” in the Florida Building Code. (8) “Elevator Safety Technical Advisory Committee” means the committee appointed by the secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. (9) “Private residence” means a separate dwelling or a separate apartment in a multiple dwelling which is occupied by members of a single-family unit. (10) “Service maintenance contract” means a contract that provides for routine examination, lubrication, cleaning, adjustment, replacement of parts, and performance of applicable code-required safety tests such as on a traction elevator and annual relief pressure test on a hydraulic elevator and any other service, repair, and maintenance sufficient to ensure the safe operation of the elevator. A service maintenance contract shall be made available upon request of the department for purposes of oversight and monitoring. (11) “Temporary operation inspection” means an inspection performed by a certified elevator inspector, the successful passage of which permits the temporary use of a noncompliant vertical conveyance as provided by rule. (12) “Registered elevator company” means an entity registered with and authorized by the division employing persons to construct, install, inspect, maintain, or repair any vertical conveyance. Each registered elevator company must annually register with the division and maintain general liability insurance coverage in the minimum amounts set by rule. (13) “Certified elevator inspector” is a natural person registered with and authorized by the division to construct, install, inspect, maintain, or repair any vertical conveyance, after having properly acquired the qualified elevator inspector credential as prescribed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. (14) “Certified elevator technician” means a natural person authorized by the division to construct, install, maintain, or repair any vertical conveyance, after having been issued an elevator certificate of competency by the division. Each certified elevator technician must annually register with the division and be covered by general liability insurance coverage in the minimum amounts set by the division. (15) “Elevator helper” means a natural person performing work under the direct supervision of an elevator certificate of competency holder to construct, install, maintain, or repair any vertical conveyance. (16) “Elevator certificate of competency” means a credential issued by the division to any individual natural person successfully completing an examination as prescribed by rule and paying a nonrefundable fee of $50. Such credential shall be valid for and expire at the end of 1 year, and may be renewed by the division when the division receives proof of the elevator certificate of competency holder’s completion of 8 hours of continuing education from a provider approved by the department and a nonrefundable renewal fee of $50. The department shall adopt by rule criteria for providing approval and procedures for continuing education reporting. (a) An elevator certificate of competency may be issued only if the applicant meets the following requirements: 1. Four years’ work experience in the construction, maintenance, service, and repair of conveyances covered by this chapter. This experience shall be verified by current or previously registered elevator companies as required by the division. 2. One of the following: a. Proof of completion and successful passage of a written examination administered by the division or a provider approved by the division under standards it adopted by rule. b. Proof of completion of an apprenticeship program for elevator mechanics which has standards substantially equivalent to those found in a national training program for elevator mechanics and is registered with the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training of the United States Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship authority. c. Proof of licensure or certification by a state or local jurisdiction in the United States having standards substantially equal to or more stringent than those of this chapter. (b) A licensed mechanical engineer whose license is in good standing may be granted an elevator certificate of competency. All other building transportation terms are defined in the current Florida Building Code.

F.S. 399.02 General requirements.

(1) The Elevator Safety Technical Advisory Committee shall develop and submit to the Director of Hotels and Restaurants proposed revisions to the elevator safety code so that it is the same as or similar to the latest editions of ASME A17.1, ASME A17.3, and ASME A18.1. (2) This chapter covers the design, construction, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration, and repair of the following equipment and its associated parts and hoistways: (a) Hoisting and lowering mechanisms equipped with a car or platform which move between two or more landings. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, elevators, platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts. (b) Power-driven stairways and walkways for carrying persons between landings. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, escalators and moving walks. (c) Hoisting and lowering mechanisms equipped with a car which serves two or more landings and is restricted to the carrying of material by its limited size or limited access to the car. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, dumbwaiters, material lifts, and dumbwaiters with automatic-transfer devices. (3) Equipment not covered by this chapter includes, but is not limited to: (a) Personnel hoists and material hoists within the scope of ASME A10, as adopted by the Florida Building Code. (b) Man lifts within the scope of ASME A90.1, as adopted by the Florida Building Code. (c) Mobile scaffolds, towers, and platforms within the scope of ANSI A92, as adopted by the Florida Building Code. (d) Powered platforms and equipment for exterior and interior maintenance within the scope of ASME A120.1, as adopted by the Florida Building Code. (e) Conveyors and related equipment within the scope of ASME B20.1, as adopted by the Florida Building Code. (f) Cranes, derricks, hoists, hooks, jacks, and slings within the scope of ASME B30, as adopted by the Florida Building Code. (g) Industrial trucks within the scope of ASME B56, as adopted by the Florida Building Code. (h) Portable equipment, except for portable escalators that are covered by the Florida Building Code. (i) Tiered or piling machines used to move materials to and from storage located and operating entirely within one story. (j) Equipment for feeding or positioning materials at machine tools and printing presses. (k) Skip or furnace hoists. (l) Wharf ramps. (m) Railroad car lifts or dumpers. (n) Line jacks, false cars, shafters, moving platforms, and similar equipment used for installing an elevator by a contractor licensed in this state. (o) Automated people movers at airports. (p) Elevators in television and radio towers. (q) Hand-operated dumbwaiters. (r) Sewage pump station lifts. (s) Automobile parking lifts. (t) Equipment covered in s. 1.1.2 of the Elevator Safety Code. (u) Elevators, inclined stairway chairlifts, and inclined or vertical wheelchair lifts located in private residences. (4) Each elevator shall have a serial number assigned by the department painted on or attached to the elevator car in plain view and also to the driving mechanism. This serial number shall be shown on all required certificates and permits. (5)(a) The construction permitholder is responsible for the correction of violations and deficiencies until the elevator has been inspected and a certificate of operation has been issued by the department. The construction permitholder is responsible for all tests of new and altered equipment until the elevator has been inspected and a certificate of operation has been issued by the department. (b) The elevator owner is responsible for the safe operation, proper maintenance, and inspection and correction of code deficiencies of the elevator after a certificate of operation has been issued by the department. The responsibilities of the elevator owner may be assigned by lease. (6)(a) The department is empowered to carry out all of the provisions of this chapter relating to the inspection and regulation of elevators and to enforce the provisions of the Florida Building Code. The division shall adopt rules to administer this chapter. (b) In order to perform its duties and responsibilities under this section, the division may enter and have reasonable access to all buildings and rooms or spaces in which an existing or newly installed conveyance and equipment are located. (7) The Elevator Safety Technical Advisory Committee shall annually review the provisions of the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators ASME A17.1, ASME A18.1, or other related model codes and amendments thereto, concurrent with the update of the Florida Building Code and recommend to the Florida Building Commission revisions to the Florida Building Code to maintain the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. (8) The division may grant variances for undue hardship pursuant to s. 120.542 and the rules adopted under this section. Such rules must include a process for requests for variances. The division may not grant a request for a variance unless it finds that the variance will not adversely affect the safety of the public. (9) Updates to the Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators, ASME A17.1 and A17.3, which require Phase II Firefighters’ Service on elevators may not be enforced until the elevator is replaced or requires major modification on elevators in condominiums or multifamily residential buildings, including those that are part of a continuing care facility licensed under chapter 651, or similar retirement community with apartments, having a certificate of occupancy by the local building authority that was issued before July 1, 2008. This exception does not prevent an elevator owner from requesting a variance from the applicable codes. This subsection does not prohibit the division from granting variances pursuant to s. 120.542 and subsection (8). The division shall adopt rules to administer this subsection.

F.S. 399.03 Design, installation, and alteration of conveyances.

(1) A conveyance covered by this chapter may not be erected, constructed, installed, or altered within buildings or structures until a permit has been obtained from the department. Permits must be applied for by a registered elevator company and may only be granted upon receipt and approval of an application to be made on a form prescribed by the department, accompanied by proper fees and a sworn statement from an agent of the registered elevator company that the plans meet all applicable elevator safety and building codes. Permits may be granted only to registered elevator companies in good standing. When any material alteration is made, the alteration must conform to applicable requirements of the Florida Building Code and the provisions of this chapter. A copy of the permit and plans must be kept at the construction site at all times while the work is in progress and until a certificate of operation is issued. A permit shall not be required for construction or repair of elevators in seeking to attain compliance with emergency elevator access requirements. Elevator owners shall forward to the department, in an electronic format approved by the department, an emergency access notification that compliance measures are either not required or are being implemented. The emergency access notification must also contain specific compliance information, including the current compliance status, specific measures required to attain compliance, and certification by a state-certified inspector. Fees may not be assessed for the filing of the emergency access notification. The department shall maintain an emergency elevator access registry that is available to the State Fire Marshal of the Department of Financial Services for enforcement purposes. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shall adopt rules to administer this section. (2) The department shall provide by rule for permit application requirements and permit fees. (3) Permits may be revoked for the following reasons: (a) There are any false statements or misrepresentations as to the material facts in the application, plans, or specifications on which the permit was based. (b) The permit was issued in error and not in accordance with the code or rules. (c) The work detailed under the permit is not being performed in accordance with the provisions of the application, plans, or specifications or with the code or conditions of the permit. (d) The construction permitholder to whom the permit was issued fails or refuses to comply with a stop-work order. (4) A permit expires if: (a) The work authorized by the permit is not commenced within 6 months after the date of issuance, or within a shorter period of time as the department may specify at the time the permit is issued. (b) The work is suspended or abandoned for a period of 60 days, or such shorter period of time as the department may specify at the time the permit is issued, after the work has been started. For good cause, the department may allow a discretionary extension for the foregoing period. (5) All new conveyance installations must be performed by a registered elevator company. Before any vertical conveyance is used, except those in a private residence, it must be inspected by a certified elevator inspector not employed, associated, or having a conflict of interest with the elevator construction permitholder or elevator owner and certified as meeting the safety provisions of the Florida Building Code, including the performance of all required safety tests. The certified elevator inspector shall provide the original copy of the inspection report to the department within 5 days after the inspection. A certificate of operation may not be issued until the permitholder provides an affidavit signed by the construction supervisor attesting that the supervisor directly supervised the construction or installation of the elevator. Vertical conveyances, including stairway chairlifts, and inclined or vertical wheelchair lifts located in private residences are not required to obtain a certificate of operation under this chapter. (6) At the department’s request, and to facilitate oversight and monitoring, the permitholder shall notify the department of the scheduled final inspection date and time for purposes of acquiring a certificate of inspection. (7) Each elevator shall comply with the edition of the Florida Building Code or Elevator Safety Code that was in effect at the time of receipt of application for the construction permit for the elevator. (8) Each alteration to, or relocation of, an elevator shall comply with the edition of the Florida Building Code or Elevator Safety Code that was in effect at the time of receipt of the application for the construction permit for the alteration or relocation. (9) When any change is made in the classification of an elevator, the elevator shall comply with all of the requirements of the version of the Florida Building Code or Elevator Safety Code that were in effect at the time of receipt of the application for the construction permit for the change in classification. (10)(a) The temporary use of an elevator during installation or alteration is authorized for a period of 30 days after the completion of a satisfactory temporary operation inspection. An additional 30-day period of temporary use is authorized from the date of completion of each additional satisfactory temporary operation inspection. A satisfactory temporary operation inspection must satisfy the following criteria: the elevator is tested under contract load; the hoistway is fully enclosed; the hoistway doors and interlocks are installed; the car is completely enclosed, including door or gate and top; all electrical safety devices are installed and properly functioning; and terminal stopping equipment is in place for a safe runby and proper clearance. When a car is provided with a temporary enclosure, the operating means must be by constant pressure push-button or lever-type switch. The car may not exceed the minimum safe operating speed of the elevator, and the governor tripping speed must be set in accordance with the operating speed of the elevator. (b) Temporary use is authorized only when a satisfactory temporary operation inspection report, completed within the last 30 days, by a certified elevator inspector, and a notice prescribed by the department, bearing a statement that the elevator has not been finally approved by a certified elevator inspector, are conspicuously posted in the elevator.

F.S. 399.07 Certificates of operation; fees.

(1) The certificate of operation is valid for a period not to exceed 2 years and shall expire at the end of the period unless revoked. The department may adopt rules establishing a procedure for certificate renewal. Certificates of operation may be renewed only for vertical conveyances having a current satisfactory inspection. The owner of an elevator operating with an expired certificate of operation is in violation of this chapter. Certificate of operation renewal applications received by the department after the date of expiration of the last current certificate must be accompanied by a late fee of $50 in addition to the renewal fee and any other fees required by law. The department shall adopt by rule a fee schedule for the renewal of certificates of operation. The fees must be deposited into the Hotel and Restaurant Trust Fund. (2) The certificate of operation must be posted in a conspicuous location on the elevator and must be framed with a transparent cover. (3) The certificate of operation shall contain the text of s. 823.12, relating to the prohibition against smoking in elevators. (4) In addition to subsection (3), the designation “NO SMOKING” along with the international symbol for no smoking shall be conspicuously displayed within the interior of the elevator in the plain view of the public. (5) Except for temporary use authorized by this chapter, the operation or use of any newly installed, relocated, or altered elevator is prohibited until the elevator has passed the tests and inspections required by this chapter and a certificate of operation has been issued. (6) The department may suspend any certificate of operation if it finds that the elevator is not in compliance with this chapter or of rules adopted under this chapter. The suspension remains in effect until the department receives satisfactory results of an inspection performed by a certified elevator inspector indicating that the elevator has been brought into compliance.

F.S. 399.10 Enforcement of law.

It shall be the duty of the department to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The department shall have rulemaking authority to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

F.S. 399.11 Penalties.

(1) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or the rules of the department is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. (2) Any person who falsely represents himself or herself as credentialed under this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

F.S. 399.13 Delegation of authority to municipalities or counties.

(1) The department may enter into contracts with municipalities or counties under which the municipalities or counties will issue construction permits and certificates of operation; will provide for inspection of elevators, including temporary operation inspections; and will enforce the applicable provisions of the Florida Building Code, as required by this chapter. The municipality or county may choose to require inspections be performed by its own inspectors or by private certified elevator inspectors. The municipality or county may assess a reasonable fee for inspections performed by its inspectors. Each agreement shall include a provision that the municipality or county shall maintain for inspection by the department copies of all applications for permits issued, a copy of each inspection report issued, and proper records showing the number of certificates of operation issued; shall include a provision that each required inspection be conducted by a certified elevator inspector; and may include other provisions as the department deems necessary. The county shall enforce the Florida Building Code as it applies to this chapter and may impose fees and assess and collect fines as part of its enforcement activities. A county or municipality may not issue or take disciplinary action against a certificate of competency, an elevator inspector certification, an elevator technician certification, or an elevator company registration. However, the department may initiate disciplinary action against a registration or certification at the request of a county or municipality. (2) The department may make inspections of elevators in the municipality or county for the purpose of determining that the provisions of this chapter are being met and may cancel the contract with any municipality or county that the department finds has failed to comply with the contract or this chapter. The amendments to chapter 399 by this act shall apply only to the installation, relocation, or alteration of an elevator for which a permit has been issued after October 1, 1990.

F.S. 399.15 Regional emergency elevator access.

(1) In order to provide emergency access to elevators: (a) For each building in this state which is six or more stories in height, including, but not limited to, hotels and condominiums, on which a building permit is issued after September 30, 2006, all of the keys for elevators that allow public access, including, but not limited to, service and freight elevators, must be keyed so as to allow all elevators within each of the seven state emergency response regions to operate in fire emergency situations with one master elevator key. (b) Any building in this state which is six or more stories in height and has undergone “substantial improvement” as defined in s. 161.54(12) must also comply with paragraph (a). (2) Each existing building in this state which is six or more stories in height must comply with subsection (1) before October 1, 2009. (3) In addition to elevator owners, owners’ agents, elevator contractors, state-certified inspectors, and state agency representatives, master elevator keys may be issued only to the fire department and may not be issued to any other emergency response agency. A person may not duplicate a master elevator key for issuance to, or issue such a key to, anyone other than authorized fire department personnel. Each master elevator key must be marked “DO NOT DUPLICATE.” (4) If it is technically, financially, or physically impossible to bring a building into compliance with this section, the local fire marshal may allow substitute emergency measures that will provide reasonable emergency elevator access. The local fire marshal’s decision regarding substitute measures may be appealed to the State Fire Marshal. (5) The Division of State Fire Marshal of the Department of Financial Services shall enforce this section. Any person who fails to comply with the requirements of this section is subject to an administrative fine of not more than $1,000, in addition to any other penalty provided by law. All administrative fines shall be deposited into the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund. (6) Builders should make every effort to use new technology and developments in keying systems which make it possible to convert existing equipment so as to provide efficient regional emergency elevator access. (7) As an alternative to complying with the requirements of subsection (1), each building in this state which is required to meet the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) may instead provide for the installation of a uniform lock box that contains the keys to all elevators in the building allowing public access, including service and freight elevators. The uniform lock box must be keyed to allow all uniform lock boxes in each of the seven state emergency response regions to operate in fire emergency situations using one master key. The master key for the uniform lock shall be issued in accordance with subsection (3). The Division of State Fire Marshal of the Department of Financial Services shall enforce this subsection. (8) The Department of Financial Services shall adopt rules to implement this section, including rules to determine the master elevator key to be used within each of the emergency response regions.

F.S. 399.16 Unlicensed activity; citations; prohibitions; penalties.

(1) The division may issue a citation for unlicensed activity upon a finding of probable cause that activity requiring a permit, certificate, or license is being performed without a valid permit, certificate, or license. The citation constitutes a stop work order that may be enforced by the division. (a) The citation shall be in a form prescribed by rule. The division may adopt rules to administer this section, including a schedule of penalties. (b) The division shall issue a citation to the owner of an unlicensed elevator, to unlicensed elevator personnel, or to the owner of an unregistered elevator company. (c) The activity for which a citation is issued shall cease upon receipt of the citation, and the person who receives the citation must correct the violation and respond to the civil penalty, which may not exceed $1,000 per violation, or request an administrative hearing pursuant to chapter 120. (2) Each day that a violation continues constitutes a separate violation. (3) The remedies in this section are not exclusive and may be imposed in addition to other remedies in this chapter.

F.S. 399.17 Certified elevator inspectors; registration.

Each certified elevator inspector must annually register with the division and provide proof of completion of 8 hours of continuing education, proof of good standing, and proof of general liability insurance coverage in the minimum amounts established by the division. The registration must remain in good standing throughout the license year.

F.S. 399.18 Online services account.

(1) A certified elevator inspector, certified elevator technician, or registered elevator company; a person or entity seeking to become certified or registered as such; a person who has been issued an elevator certificate of competency; a person who is seeking such certificate; a person or entity who has been issued an elevator certificate of operation; and a person or entity who is seeking such a certificate must create and maintain an online account with the division and provide an e-mail address to the division to function as the primary means of contact for all communication from the division. Each person or entity is responsible for maintaining accurate contact information on file with the division. (2) The division shall adopt rules to implement this section.

F.S. 399.031 Clearance requirements between elevator doors for elevators inside a private residence.

(1) This section may be cited as the “Maxwell Erik ‘Max’ Grablin Act.” (2) For elevators installed in a private residence: (a) The distance between the hoistway face of the hoistway doors and the hoistway edge of the landing sill may not exceed 3 / 4 inch for swinging doors and 2 1 / 4 inches for sliding doors. (b)1. Horizontal sliding car doors and gates shall be designed and installed to withstand a force of 75 pounds applied horizontally on an area 4 inches by 4 inches at right angles to and at any location on the car door without permanent deformation. The deflection may not exceed 3 / 4 inch and may not displace the door from its guides or tracks. The force must be applied while the door is in the fully closed position. 2. Folding car doors shall be designed and installed to withstand a force of 75 pounds applied horizontally using a 4-inch-diameter sphere at any location within the folds on the car door without permanent deformation. The deflection may not exceed 3 / 4 inch and may not displace the door from its guides or tracks. The force must be applied while the door is in the fully closed position. (c) The distance between the hoistway face of the landing door and the hoistway face of the car door or gate shall conform to one of the following: 1. If a power-operated horizontally sliding hoistway and car doors are used, the measurement between the leading edge of the doors or sight guard, if provided, may not exceed 4 inches. If it is possible for a user to detach or disconnect either door from the operator and such detachment or disconnection allows the user to operate the door manually, the requirement in subparagraph 5. applies. 2. If swinging hoistway doors and folding car doors are used and both doors are in the fully closed position, the space between the hoistway door and the folding door must reject a 4-inch-diameter sphere at all points. 3. If swinging hoistway doors and car gates are used, the space between the hoistway door and the car gate must reject a 4-inch-diameter sphere at all points. 4. If the car doors are powered and arranged so that they cannot be closed until after the hoistway door is closed, and the car doors automatically open when the car is at a landing and the hoistway door is opened, the measurement between the hoistway face of the hoistway door and the hoistway face of the car door at its leading edge may not exceed 4 inches. If it is possible for a user to detach or disconnect either door from the operator and such detachment or disconnection allows the user to operate the door manually, the requirement in subparagraph 5. applies. 5. If swinging or horizontally sliding hoistway doors and manual horizontally sliding car doors are used and both doors are in the fully closed position, the space between the swinging or horizontally sliding hoistway door and the manual horizontally sliding car doors must reject a 4-inch-diameter sphere at all points. (3) During normal operation, the elevator controller must monitor the closed and locked contacts of the hoistway door locking device, whether electrical or mechanical. If the closed and locked contacts of the landing locks are open while the car is not in the unlocking zone for the hoistway door locking device, the elevator controller must interrupt power to the motor and brake and must not allow the elevator car to restart until the owner or the owner’s agent, with a master elevator key, has checked for obstructions above and below the elevator car, returned the hoistway door locking device contacts to the normal operating position, and manually reset the elevator controller with the master elevator key. Additionally, a visual indicator must be visible at all landings until the hoistway door locking device has been returned to the normal operating position and the elevator controller has been manually reset. (4) This section applies to all new elevators in a private residence.

F.S. 399.035 Elevator accessibility requirements for the physically handicapped.

(1) Each elevator, the installation of which is begun after October 1, 1990, must be made accessible to physically handicapped persons with the following requirements: (a) In a building having any elevators that do not provide access to every floor level, elevator hallway call buttons on all main levels of ingress and on any floor that is commonly served by more than one group of elevators must be marked with Arabic and braille symbols that indicate floor levels to which access is provided. The symbols must be placed directly above each call button. (b) Each elevator car interior must have a support rail on at least one wall. All support rails must be smooth and have no sharp edges and must not be more than 1 1 / 2 inches thick or 2 1 / 2 inches in diameter. At least one support rail must be continuous and a minimum length of 42 inches overall. The inside surface of support rails must be 1 1 / 2 inches clear of the car wall. The distance from the top of the support rail to the finished car floor must be at least 31 inches and not more than 33 inches. Padded or tufted material or decorative materials such as wallpaper, vinyl, cloth, or the like may not be used on support rails. (c) Each elevator covered by this section must be available to be used at any time to assist the physically handicapped in an emergency evacuation. The requirements of the latest revision of s. 2.27 of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard ASME A17.1 must be complied with to meet the requirements of this paragraph. (d) Interior surface of car enclosures must be of fire-resistive material, and walls must be surfaced with nonabrasive material. All materials exposed to the car interior must conform to the standards of the Elevator Safety Code. (e) A bench or seat may be installed on the rear wall of the elevator car enclosure, if the bench or seat does not protrude beyond the vertical plane of the elevator car enclosure wall when folded into a recess provided for the bench or seat and, when not in use, the bench or seat automatically folds into the recess. The bench or seat must be capable of supporting a live load of at least 250 pounds on any 12-inch by 12-inch area. A padded, tufted, or other decorative material may not be used to cover the bench or seat; nor may the bench or seat encroach on the minimum clear-inside-car dimensions specified in this section. (2) Any building that is more than three stories high or in which the vertical distance between the bottom terminal landing and the top terminal landing exceeds 25 feet must be constructed to contain at least one passenger elevator that is operational and will accommodate an ambulance stretcher 76 inches long and 24 inches wide in the horizontal position. (3) This section applies only to elevators available for the transportation of the public. This section does not apply to elevators restricted by key or similar device to a limited number of persons in a building that has an elevator that otherwise meets the requirements of this section or to elevators used only for the transportation of freight. However, elevators that are used as freight and passenger elevators for the public and employees must comply with this section. This section does not apply to dumbwaiters or escalators. (4) This section supersedes all other state laws and regulations and local ordinances and rules affecting the accessibility of passenger elevators to the physically handicapped, and the standards established by this section may not be modified by municipal or county ordinance.

F.S. 399.049 Disciplinary action.

(1) The department may suspend or revoke an elevator inspector certification, an elevator company registration, an elevator certificate of competency, or an elevator certificate of operation issued under this chapter or impose an administrative penalty of up to $1,000 per violation upon any registered elevator company or certificateholder who commits any one or more of the following violations: (a) Any false statement as to a material matter in an application for registration, certification, or any permit or certificate issued under this chapter. (b) Fraud, misrepresentation, or bribery in the practice of the profession. (c) Failure by a certified elevator inspector to provide the department and the certificate of operation holder with a copy of the inspection report within 5 days after the date of any inspection performed after the initial certificate of operation is issued. (d) Violation of any provision of this chapter. (e) Failure by a certified elevator inspector to maintain his or her qualified elevator inspector credential in good standing. (f) Having a license to install, inspect, maintain, or repair any vertical conveyance revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against, including the denial of licensure, by the licensing authority of another state, territory, or county. (g) Engaging in fraud or deceit, negligence, incompetency, or misconduct in the practice of the profession. (2) Any disciplinary action taken under this chapter must comply with chapter 120 and any rules adopted thereunder.

F.S. 399.061 Inspections; service maintenance contracts; correction of deficiencies.

(1)(a) All elevators or other conveyances subject to this chapter must be annually inspected by a certified elevator inspector or by a municipality or county under contract with the division pursuant to s. 399.13. If the elevator is not an escalator or a dumbwaiter, serves only two adjacent floors, and is covered by a service maintenance contract, an inspection is not required so long as the service contract remains in effect. (b) A statement verifying the existence and performance of each service maintenance contract must be filed at least annually with the division and as prescribed by rule. Cancellation of a service maintenance contract must be reported to the division as prescribed by rule. (2) The division may employ state elevator inspectors to inspect an elevator whenever necessary to ensure its safe operation. The division may also employ state elevator inspectors to conduct any inspections required by this chapter and may charge a fee for each inspection in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of that inspection, as provided by rule, when a private certified elevator inspector is not available. Each state elevator inspector shall be properly qualified as a certified elevator inspector. (3) Whenever the division determines from the results of any inspection that, in the interest of the public safety, an elevator is in an unsafe condition, the division may seal the elevator or order the discontinuance of the use of the elevator until the division determines by inspection that such elevator has been satisfactorily repaired or replaced so that the elevator may be operated in a safe manner. (4) When the division determines that an elevator is in violation of this chapter or the Florida Building Code, the division may issue an order to the elevator owner requiring correction of the violation and reinspection of the elevator evidencing the correction. (5) A certified elevator inspector or registered elevator company shall, upon the written request of the department, provide a written response that explains the inspection procedures and applications used to prepare an inspection report that was found by the department to contain errors or omissions of code violations or tests.

F.S. 399.105 Administrative fines.

(1) Any person who fails to comply with the reporting requirements of this chapter or with the reasonable requests of the department to determine whether the provisions of a service maintenance contract and its implementation ensure safe elevator operation is subject to an administrative fine not greater than $1,000 in addition to any other penalty provided by law. (2) Any person who commences the operation, installation, relocation, or alteration of any elevator for which a permit or certificate is required by this chapter without having obtained from the department the permit or certificate is subject to an administrative fine not greater than $1,000 in addition to any other penalty provided by law. (3) An elevator owner who continues to operate an elevator after notice to discontinue its use or after it has been sealed by the department is subject to an administrative fine not greater than $1,000 for each day the elevator has been operated after the service of the notice or sealing by the department, in addition to any other penalty provided by law. (4) An elevator owner who fails to comply with an order to correct issued under s. 399.061(4) within 90 days after its issuance is subject, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, to an administrative fine in an amount not to exceed $1,000. (5) All administrative fines collected shall be deposited into the Hotel and Restaurant Trust Fund.

F.S. 399.125 Reporting of elevator accidents; penalties.

Within 5 working days after any accident occurring in or upon any elevator, the certificate of operation holder shall report the accident to the division on a form prescribed by the division. Failure to timely file this report is a violation of this chapter and will subject the certificate of operation holder to an administrative fine, to be imposed by the division, in an amount not to exceed $1,000.

F.S. 399.1061 Elevator Safety Technical Advisory Council.

(1) The Elevator Safety Technical Advisory Council is created within the division and shall consist of eight members appointed by the secretary of the department who meet the following criteria: one representative from a major elevator manufacturing company or its authorized representative; one representative from an elevator servicing company; one representative from a building design profession; one representative of the general public; one representative of a local government in this state; one representative of a building owner or manager; one representative of labor involved in the installation, maintenance, and repair of elevators; and one representative who is a certified elevator inspector from a private inspection service. The council shall provide technical assistance to the division in support of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public and shall give the division the benefit of the council members’ knowledge and experience concerning the industries and individual businesses affected by the laws and rules administered by the division. (2)(a) The council members shall serve 4-year terms, except that, to provide for staggered terms, four of the initial appointees, as specified by rule, shall serve 2-year terms. All subsequent appointments shall be for 4-year terms. The council shall appoint one of the members to serve as chair. (b) The council members shall serve without compensation, except that the members may be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061. (3) The council may consult with engineering authorities and organizations concerned with standard safety codes for recommendations to the department regarding rules for the operation, maintenance, servicing, construction, alteration, installation, or inspection of vertical conveyances subject to this chapter.
Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter399/AllFetched: 7/8/2026

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