52:27D-126f Definitions relative to testing, inspecting elevator devices; alternative testing; rules, regulations; review, analysis.

1. a. As used in this section:

"Elevator device" means a hoisting and lowering device equipped with a car or platform which moves in guides for the transportation of individuals or freight in a substantially vertical direction through successive floors or levels of a building or structure. The term includes, without limitation, elevators, dumbwaiters, wheelchair lifts, manlifts, stairway chairlifts and any device within the scope of ASME A17.1 (Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators) or ASME A90.1 (Safety Standard for Belt Manlifts), except escalators and moving walks. It shall not include any conveyor devices that are process equipment.

"Qualified elevator device inspection firm" means any entity, whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, association or corporation, that is engaged in the business of inspecting, testing, installing, maintaining or repairing elevator devices, or the business of inspecting and testing elevator devices, is registered for those purposes with the Department of Community Affairs, and employs at least one qualified elevator device inspector.

"Qualified elevator device inspector" means any person who is employed by a qualified elevator device inspection firm and who is licensed by the Department of Community Affairs to conduct the routine, periodic and acceptance inspections and tests of elevator devices required pursuant to the provisions of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.).

b. No elevator devices which, under the provisions of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), are subject to routine, periodic and acceptance inspections and tests by the local enforcing agency or the Department of Community Affairs shall be subject to such inspections and tests, nor shall the owner of the structure be charged any fees therefor, if those elevator devices are subjected to acceptance testing and are routinely and periodically inspected and tested by a qualified elevator device inspection firm, and the owner has registered each such elevator device with the Department of Community Affairs and has indicated in the registration application form, or in a supplement to that form, the identity of the qualified elevator device inspection firm that has been given responsibility for inspection and testing of the elevator device.

The inspections and tests, including the frequency thereof, conducted by a qualified elevator device inspector shall be in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Commissioner of Community Affairs may prescribe pursuant to the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.) and subsection e. of this section. Acceptance testing and the five-year test shall be witnessed by the local enforcing agency or the Department of Community Affairs in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Commissioner of Community Affairs may prescribe pursuant to the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.) and subsection e. of this section. No qualified elevator device inspector shall act in that capacity when his work on the elevator device is the work being inspected.

c. If, upon inspection or test, a qualified elevator device inspector shall find that an elevator device is in a dangerous condition, or if there is an immediate hazard to persons riding on or using any such device, the inspector shall immediately prohibit any further use of the device and shall so notify in writing the owner and the local enforcing agency or Department of Community Affairs, as the case may be. The device shall remain out of service until such time as the inspector shall certify in writing that the dangerous condition or immediate hazard has been removed or corrected and that the device is safe for public use. If the local enforcing agency or the department shall determine, in response to a complaint or otherwise, that an elevator device is in a dangerous condition or that there is an immediate hazard to persons riding on or using that device, the local enforcing agency or the department may require the owner of the elevator device to make such repairs as may be necessary, or take other corrective action, within such time as the local enforcing agency or the department, as the case may be, shall prescribe.

d. Any qualified elevator device inspector or qualified elevator device inspection firm violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to a penalty in accordance with section 20 of P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-138) and shall also be subject to suspension or revocation by the Department of Community Affairs of licensure or registration as a qualified elevator device inspector or qualified elevator device inspection firm, as the case may be.

e. The Commissioner of Community Affairs, in accordance with the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this act. The rules and regulations shall provide for, but not be limited to, the qualifications for licensing of qualified elevator device inspectors, the registration of qualified elevator device inspection firms, the manner and form of licensure and registration, the fee for each such license or registration, the manner in which test results pursuant to this act are to be recorded, and minimum liability insurance requirements for qualified elevator device inspection firms, for which proof thereof shall be provided by the firms to the department. License and registration fees shall be designed to cover, but not exceed, the actual costs the department shall incur in administering the provisions of this act.

f. The Department of Community Affairs shall conduct a review and perform an analysis of the impact on the safety record of elevator devices in this State as a result of the implementation of this section. The review and analysis shall be performed biennially. A written report of the results of the review and analysis shall be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature, with the first report submitted within 48 months following the effective date of P.L.1997, c.336 (C.52:27D-126f).

L.1997,c.336,s.1.