§1582. Emergency elevator access; master key; substitute emergency measures; enforcement; penalty; rulemaking authority

A. For each building in this state which is six or more stories in height, including but not limited to hotels and condominiums, which is constructed or substantially renovated after January 1, 2009, all of the keys for elevators that allow public access, including but not limited to service and freight elevators, shall be keyed so as to allow all elevators to operate in fire emergency situations with one master elevator key.

B. Each existing building in this state which is six or more stories in height shall comply with Subsection A of this Section before January 1, 2012. Each building in this state, except for one- and two-family dwellings, which is five or fewer stories in height in which a new elevator is installed after January 1, 2013, shall comply with Subsection A of this Section.

C. In addition to elevator owners, owners' agents, elevator contractors, state-certified inspectors, and state agency representatives, master elevator keys shall be issued only to the fire department in whose jurisdiction the building is located and shall not be issued to any other emergency response agency. A person shall not duplicate a master elevator key for issuance to, or issue such a key to, anyone other than the authorized fire department personnel. Each master elevator key shall be marked "DO NOT DUPLICATE".

D. If it is technically, financially, or physically impossible to bring a building into compliance with this Section, the state fire marshal may allow substitute emergency measures that will provide reasonable emergency elevator access.

E. The office of state fire marshal 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 one thousand dollars, in addition to any other penalty provided by law. All administrative fines shall be deposited into the Louisiana Fire Marshal Fund.

F. Architects and builders shall 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 emergency elevator access.

G. The office of state fire marshal shall adopt rules, pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

H. For the purposes of this Section, "substantially renovated" means an existing building which has alterations or repairs costing in excess of fifty percent of the then physical value of the building. The cost of alterations or repairs shall be established by an estimate signed by a licensed architect, by a licensed general contractor, or in the absence of either such licensed person, by the state fire marshal.

Acts 2008, No. 749, §1; Acts 2010, No. 367, §1.