Carrying Capacity Signage

Last week, the DOB passed a rule regarding carrying capacity signage, signals, & a new definition of “balanced load.” Here are the basics:

• Balanced Load is now defined as “the amount of weight measured as a percentage of the car capacity that must be placed in the elevator such that the suspended load of the car side is equal to the suspended load of the counterweight side.” If you have questions about what this means for your devices, ask your vendor or professional consultant.
• Capacity plates must indicate the rated load of the elevator in pounds or kilograms and pounds. In addition, this plate or a separate plate must indicate:
  • the capacity lifting one-piece loads where the elevator conforms to 2.16.7
  • for freight elevators designed for Class C2 loading, the maximum load the elevator is designed to support while being loaded or unloaded (see 2.16.2.2.4(c)); and
  • Calculated per Appendix D, the number of persons on passenger elevators and freight elevators permitted by 2.16.4 to carry passengers.
• The weight required for balanced load must be listed on the data plate
• Passenger elevators & freight elevators permitted to carry passengers “must be designed with the means to detect if the load exceeds the rated capacity of the elevator. If an overload is detected, the elevator doors must reopen and remain open and a voice notification and visual signal must indicate that the car is overloaded”

This rule goes into effect on Friday, September 28th, so make sure you’re prepared – contact your elevator team to review this change. 

Filing Requirements

Here’s what you need to know:

• The last paper filings for all ELV3 Inspections, Test Notifications (ELV36), and Affirmations of Correction (ELV29 for unsatisfactory reports) will be accepted on August 31st
• There’s one exception: Affirmations of Correction filings for PVTs issued before 9/17/18 must continue to be filed in paper form. See the latest Service Notice for more
• If paper inspections are sent via mail, they must be postmarked by August 28th – anything marked after this date will be sent back to the applicant
• Paperwork can still be submitted in person up until the 31st.
• You can review the DOB Service Update here for a round-up of the above details, plus legal references

No filings will be accepted from September 1st through September 16th – whether mail, in-person, or online. If any filing is due within this period, you must submit it before the August 31st deadline.

If your filing due date is missed because of this gap, you may still be subject to late penalties/failure to file violations.

• DOB NOW: Safety can be accessed here
• If you’re not registered for DOB NOW, get more information about the process on the Tips page
• For even more details on how to manage elevator filings in DOB NOW: Safety, you can attend one of the DOB-hosted trainings found below:

Update for Filing Requirements on Elevator Door Monitoring Systems

• Per a previous change of the NYC Building Code, all automatic passenger and freight elevators “must provide a system to monitor and prevent automatic operation with faulty door contact circuits” by January 1, 2020. 
• NEW: Per the DOB NOW update for inspection filings, both the Elevator Agency performing the inspection and the Elevator Agency witnessing the inspection (as well as the Owner) must use DOB NOW: Build to submit the inspection/test results and obtain final sign-off (ELV3 forms will no longer be accepted in person or by email).
• For more information about the process and its requirements, check out the DOB’s recent Service Notice. You can also come to RealFocus and get your questions answered directly from the elevator experts at Sierra Consulting Group.

Stay tuned for updates and additional resources on how to make sure your elevator inspections are filed on time and correctly in 2018, and your devices are ready for new and coming-due regulations.