Code FAQs With the recent changes in state code and code enforcement in Colorado we would like to point out some of the more important ones you should know about. First, you may want to know who the governing body is over conveyances.The governing body over conveyances, the related codes, and code compliance is the Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS) under the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. To go directly to their website, Click here. Some code changes currently in place that may affect you: All conveyances are required to have a Minimal Maintenance Agreement. What minimal maintenance is required on an elevator? What is a minimal service agreement that an elevator service company can contract for? This question as well as the answer noted below come directly from the OPS website.ASME A17.1 Requirements 8.6.1 through 8.6.10 are enforced in Colorado. Whether these requirements are performed by one service company or by a combination of the service company and other elevator personnel is not dictated, however, it must be specified in a written Maintenance Control Program, as specified in 8.6.1.2.1. The following are required components for minimal maintenance.A written Maintenance Control Program shall be in place to maintain the equipment in compliance with the code at the time of installation and code at time of any alteration as well as the requirements of ASME A17.2 Section 8.6The Maintenance Control Program shall consist of but not be limited to examinations, maintenance, and tests of equipment at scheduled intervals in order to ensure that the installation conforms to the requirements of ASME A17.2 Section 8.6.The maintenance procedures and intervals shall be based on (a) equipment age, condition, and accumulated wear (b) design and inherent quality of the equipment (c) usage (d) environmental conditions (e) improved technology (f) the manufacturer's recommendations for any SIL rated devices or circuits.Maintenance shall consist of cleaning, lubricating and adjusting applicable components at regular intervals and replacing or repairing all worn or defective components.The instructions for locating the Maintenance Control Program shall be provided in or on the controller along with instructions on how to report any corrective action that might be necessary to the responsible party.The maintenance control program shall be kept at a central location and accessible to the elevator personnel and shall document compliance with ASME A17.2 Section 8.6.Procedures for tests, periodic inspections, maintenance, replacements, adjustments and repairs for all SIL rated E/ES/PES electrical protective devices and circuits shall be incorporated into and made a part of the Maintenance Control Program.Where a defective part directly affecting the safety of the operation is identified, the equipment shall be taken out of service until the defective part has been adjusted, repaired, or replaced.Maintenance repairs and replacements shall be performed only by elevator personnel.Maintenance records shall document compliance with the code. What are the requirements for Maintenance Records? Who keeps them and where are they kept?Maintenance records document compliance with the requirements of ANSI A17.1 and include the following:Description of maintenance tasks performed and dates.All examinations, tests, adjustments, repairs, replacements, and dates.Trouble calls received with description and dates including corrective action(s).Reports of trouble calls reported to elevator personnel with dates.A separate written record of firefighters' service operation including monthly tests and results for Phase I recall and Phase II. (See Item #4 for more details)Elevator personnel keep maintenance records. Both logs need to be accessible to elevator personnel so, in our opinion, it would be best if they were kept in the elevator machine room. What is the definition of elevator personnel?ANSI A17.1 defines "elevator personnel" as persons who have been trained in the construction, maintenance, repair, inspection, or testing of equipment Can local maintenance persons conduct the required monthly maintenance of firefighters' service operation?Yes. The code requirement does not specify who must perform this operation, whether it is the Maintenance Company, owner, or operator, only that it is performed and recorded. The written record of findings must be kept on the premises. The person performing the tests must have received adequate training in the operation and testing of this equipment as well as proper safety precautions. They cannot adjust or repair the equipment unless they are licensed by the state as a conveyance mechanic. All conveyances must be registered with OPS. All elevators must have car door restrictors. Hydraulic elevators having jack units dated 1973 or earlier are required to be replaced with double bottom bulkheads or equipped with jack plunger grippers (ie; LifeJacket®). If you have any questions about any of these requirements, the registration process or forms, or anything else related to your conveyance(s), please contact us; we'd be happy to help you in any way we can.
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