NEW ELEVATOR CODE, P.2

DOB spokeswoman Carly Sullivan says that a schedule of fines was completed in July and went into effect in August.  After performing the yearly "no-load" inspection in the presence of a third-party witness, the building must file a report with  the DOB within 45 calendar days. If defects are found, they must be corrected within 45 business days of the report's filing.

Failure to perform the yearly inspection will result in a fine of $150 per month per elevator. The same fine applies to uncorrected violations. If the elevator is not inspected or violations are not corrected within a year, the fines jump to $3,000 apiece. A "full-load" test is required every five years. Failure to perform this inspection on time will result in a fine of $250 per month per elevator. The fine for failing to correct violations will be $150 per month. After a year, both fines jump to $5,000.  
 
Although penalties will not actually be imposed until year's end,  boards can see exactly how much they could be penalized if they do not comply with the new rules by December 14.
 
Says Sullivan: "It's aimed at catching small stuff and making sure it doesn't become a serious matter."

Adapted from Habitat September 2010. Join our Archive >>