Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Housing Committee
SSB 5156
Brief Description: Concerning elevator standards in smaller apartment buildings.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Salomon, Bateman, Liias, Nobles, Riccelli, Shewmake and Stanford).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Requires the Department of Labor and Industries to adopt standards for cities and counties to allow:  (1) all passenger and freight elevators to meet the global or North American safety and related standards; and (2) passenger elevators no larger than those that accommodate a wheelchair for apartment buildings with no more than six stories and 24 units.
Hearing Date: 3/17/25
Staff: Serena Dolly (786-7150).
Background:

State Building Code.

The State Building Code (Building Code) provides minimum statewide standards and requirements for buildings.  The Building Code is comprised of several different codes.  Most of these codes are national or international model codes that the Legislature has adopted by reference, including the International Building Code and the International Residential Code.

 

The State Building Code Council (SBCC) is responsible for adopting, amending, and maintaining the Building Code.  The SBCC must regularly review updated versions of the model codes and adopt a process for reviewing proposed statewide and local amendments.

 

A city or county may amend the Building Code as applied within its jurisdiction, except that amendments may not be below minimum performance standards.  A local amendment that applies to single-family or multifamily residential buildings may not be effective until approved by the SBCC.

 

Elevator Requirements.

The Building Code requires at least one elevator to provide the fire department with emergency access to all floors if the building has an elevator and:

  • is four or more stories above or below grade plane;
  • contains sleeping units or more than two dwelling units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature, including apartments and dormitories;
  • contains sleeping units where the occupants are primarily transient in nature, including hotels and motels; or
  • is an institutional occupancy, including care or correctional facilities.

 

The elevator car must accommodate a 24-inch by 84-inch ambulance stretcher.

 

Department of Labor and Industries.

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is responsible for the administration of workers' compensation and medical aid, including overseeing safety and health standards and work place inspections.  L&I also regulates public and private elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other specified devices, known as conveyances.  L&I adopts rules governing the mechanical and electrical operation, conveyance work, and inspection of elevators and the minimum standards governing existing installations.  L&I has adopted, by rule, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.
Summary of Bill:

By March 31, 2026, L&I must adopt standards for cities and counties to allow:

  • passenger and freight elevators to meet the most current version of global safety and related standards or the current North American standards; and
  • passenger elevators no larger than those that accommodate a wheelchair for apartment buildings with no more than six stories and 24 units.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.