Opportunity For Property Owners To Inspect And Register Private Elevators For Free
After a serious private elevator incident, the DOB has launched the “no penalty, no cost” safety inspection program applicable to both registered and unregistered private elevators. The 90 day program launched on March 1, 2019, is effective through May 29, 2019.
During this time, the DOB will perform inspections and tests for any registered or unregistered private elevators for free. The amnesty period aims to encourage owners to have their private elevators compliant with the DOB safety regulations and be inspected regularly – as is required by law – to ensure that they are mechanically sound and safe for use.
The program came about due to an incident in January when a woman was stuck in a private elevator for 72 hours without the ability to communicate with the outside world. Investigation showed that the elevator’s hoist motor had burned out, causing the elevator to get stuck between floors, and that the emergency phone in the elevator was not functional as well. Incidents such as this should have be avoidable with proper elevator maintenance and inspection.
It is a legal requirement for elevators including dumbwaiters, platform lifts and stairway chair lifts to be registered and have a certificate of compliance from the DOB, ensuring that the devices can be used safely. Elevators that have not been registered and tested for compliance and safety and are not regularly and properly maintained pose a serious safety risk to its passengers. Property owners that have private elevators installed are encouraged to use this amnesty program and have their elevators inspected for free, for the safety of all.
Interested building owners should contact the DOB’s Elevator Unit as soon as possible at PrivateResidenceElevator@buildings.nyc.gov.
Please note that this safety inspection does not exempt jurisdictional elevators from code-required Category 1 and 5 Cycle Inspections. Click here for more information.
Additionally, unregistered elevators under this program will need a registered design professional or licensed elevator inspection agency to file an application with the DOB for a NYC Device ID and a Certificate of Compliance. During the amnesty period, the DOB will not issue any penalties or violations to the owner if it is determined that repairs are necessary for compliance. The DOB will provide enough time for that as well.