WSR 18-18-069
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
[Filed August 31, 2018, 1:02 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments for consideration to the elevator rules, chapter 296-96 WAC, Safety regulations and fees for all elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, and other conveyances.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter
70.87 RCW, Elevators, lifting devices, and moving walks.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: On June 5, 2018, the department filed proposed rule amendments to the elevator rules (chapter 296-96 WAC) following a formal review of the rules and new safety code requirements from the 2016 edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and other related codes (WSR 18-12-103). The proposed rules were developed using a technical advisory committee of diverse elevator stakeholder representatives and were reviewed and approved by the elevator safety advisory committee. The proposed rules included adoption of the 2015 ASME A17.3 safety codes for existing elevators and escalators. The ASME A17.3 code contains several provisions already adopted in existing requirements under chapter 296-96 WAC but also some new requirements.
On August 31, 2018, the department adopted only those provisions of ASME A17.3 that were consistent with existing requirements and decided to pursue adoption of the remaining provisions in this separate rule making to address concerns that elevator owners did not understand how the rule changes would affect them. Specifically, this rule making will consider amendments to the elevator rules, chapter 296-96 WAC, Safety regulations and fees for all elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, and other conveyances. The amendments for consideration would adopt additional requirements from the 2015 ASME A17.3 safety codes for existing elevators and escalators. The additional requirements include:
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| • | ASME A17.3 requirement 2.7.6 Hoistway Emergency Door Contacts; |
| • | ASME A17.3 requirement 3.3.5 Protection of Platforms Against Fire; |
| • | ASME A17.3 requirement 3.10.7 Operating of Driving Machine; |
| • | ASME A17.3 requirement 3.10.12 System to Monitor and Prevent Automatic Operation of the Elevator with Faulty Door Contact Circuits; |
| • | ASME A17.3 requirement 3.11.3 Firefighter's Service; |
| • | ASME A17.3 requirement 3.9.5 Piston Connections; and |
| • | ASME A17.3 requirement 5.5.3 Adjacent Floor Surfaces. |
This rule making allows the department to further engage in discussions with building owners and other interested parties on the impacts of adopting the additional requirements from ASME A17.3.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rules and formulation of the proposed rules before publication by contacting the individual listed below. The public can also participate, after amendments are proposed by providing written comments and/or testimony during the public hearing and comment process. All rule proposals will be reviewed by the elevator safety advisory committee.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Alicia Curry, Department of Labor and Industries, Field Services and Public Safety Division, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, phone 360-902-6244, fax 360-902-5292, email Alicia.Curry@lni.wa.gov, web site www.lni.wa.gov.
August 31, 2018
Joel Sacks
Director