Washington Administrative Code

All lift landings shall be illuminated.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-05200, filed 8/31/18, effective 10/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.87.020, 70.87.030, 70.87.034, 70.87.120, 70.87.185 and chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 01-02-026, § 296-96-05200, fi…

(1) Each lift shall have the following two signs:(a) A "CAPACITY" sign permanently fastened in the lift car and on each landing. This sign shall indicate the rated load of the lift in pounds and be made of metal with 50.8 mm (2 in.) high black letters on a yellow background.(b) A…

All electrical wiring, installations, and equipment in a hoistway, machine room or machinery space shall conform to the National Electrical Code in effect at the time of installation or major alteration.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-05220, filed…

All exposed gears, sprockets, sheaves, drums, ropes and chains shall be guarded to protect against accidental contact as required by general safety and health standards adopted according to chapter 49.17 RCW.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-05230, …

All owners, or designated owner representatives, of material lifts described in this chapter are responsible for the maintenance of their lifts and parts. Minimum maintenance requirements are:(1) All lifts described in this chapter and their parts shall be maintained in a safe co…

Inspections are required for each lift installation, alteration or relocation and shall be conducted at the completion of the job before the lift is placed into service. The inspection shall include a safety test at 100 percent of rated load.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RC…

A five-year test of the material lift car and counterweight safety devices shall be conducted, and the test shall be administered under the following conditions:(1) Qualified people will conduct the test. A qualified person is either:(a) An elevator mechanic licensed in the appro…

(1) Guides, guide rails, guide rail brackets, and their fastenings and supports shall, at the point of support, deflect 3.175 mm (0.125 in.) or less while resisting horizontal forces encountered during loading. When horizontal force is measured at a mid-point between brackets, gu…

Time frames for compliance with Part D or ASME A17.3 (or combination thereof) as applicable.(1) These time frames do not apply to maintenance and periodic testing as required by ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Section 8.6.(2) Where a single unit is required to comply with multiple requiremen…

Refer to WAC 296-96-02580.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-23100, filed 8/31/18, effective 10/1/18; WSR 13-24-066, § 296-96-23100, filed 11/27/13, effective 1/1/14; WSR 07-24-041, § 296-96-23100, filed 11/30/07, effective 1/1/08. Statutory Authorit…

Where identification numbers are not provided for multiple conveyances within the same building, the equipment shall be required to comply with ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Section 2.29.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-23101, filed 8/31/18, effective 10/1/1…

Fixed wooden ladders are prohibited. Where such ladders exist they shall be replaced with one of the following:(1) Noncombustible conventional stairway with a slope of not more than 60 degrees from horizontal.(2) Noncombustible collapsible (retractable) stair.(3) Noncombustible f…

(1) Overhead sheaves shall be provided with a means of access for inspections and maintenance.(2) Guardrails shall be installed where working platform or decking is provided and does not cover the complete hoistway.(3) Guardrails shall comply with ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Section 2.10…

In any building with more than one elevator, numbers at least 50.8 mm (2 in.) in height identifying each car shall be located at the main lobby entrance, inside the car, on the machine, and on the disconnect switch and if the conveyance has a walk-in pit, numbers shall also be in…

A standard railing shall be installed on the top of all elevators in compliance with ASME A17.1/CSA B44, 2.14.1.7. Where existing conditions do not permit the railing to be installed according to clearances of 2.14.1.7.2, the following shall apply:(1) The top railing shall be ins…

(1) Elevators that do not have a minimum of 609.6 mm (24 in.) clearance from the crosshead, or any equipment mounted on the crosshead, to the lowest member of the overhead structure in the hoistway when the car has reached its maximum upward movement shall be provided with cautio…

Elevators installed under the 1996 and earlier editions of ASME A17.1/CSA B44 shall have a minimum of 10 foot-candles of illumination at floor level within the working areas in machine rooms and machinery spaces.[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.87.030. WSR 23-17-141, § 296-96-23122, …

Duplex and simplex receptacles, where provided, shall be permanently grounded.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-23123, filed 8/31/18, effective 10/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.87.020, 70.87.030, 70.87.034, 70.87.120, 70.87.185 and chapter 70.87…

(1) Where feasible, gears, sprockets, sheaves, cables, tapes, belts and chains shall be fitted with suitable guards to prevent accidental contact.(2) Openings in machine room floors above the hoistway must be guarded to prevent tools and materials from falling into the hoistway b…

Access ladders shall be installed in elevator pits 914.4 mm (36 in.) or deeper. Where constraints prohibit the installation of a pit ladder conforming to ASME A17.1/CSA B44, 2.2.4.2, a retractable ladder shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with 2.2.4.2.7 and 2.2.4.2.…

(1) Light fixtures shall be installed in all pits.(a) Installations prior to 7/1/2004 require a permanent lighting fixture producing at least 5 foot-candles as measured in the working areas at the pit floor.(b) A light switch shall be installed and shall be accessible from the pi…

Hoistways shall be provided with floor numbers complying with ASME A17.1/CSA B44 2.29.2.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-23158, filed 8/31/18, effective 10/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.87.020, 70.87.030, 70.87.034, 70.87.120, 70.87.185 and cha…

This subpart is a minimum standard for all existing electric elevators. It applies to other equipment only as referenced in the applicable subpart.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 21-18-096, § 296-96-23200, filed 8/31/21, effective 10/1/21; WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-232…

Compensating chains or ropes shall be fastened to the counterweight frame directly or to a bracket fastened to the frame and shall not be fastened to the tie rods.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-23205, filed 8/31/18, effective 10/1/18. Statutory A…

In the event an existing data tag cannot be located, a replacement tag shall be created specifying the date of verification of known information.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-23283, filed 8/31/18, effective 10/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.8…

(1) Examination WAC material lifts, special purpose lifts, electric manlifts and hand elevators shall conform to the following:(a) Annual examination requirements for electrical elevators. Service providers shall furnish documentation to include the following components or system…

(1) Maintenance, examinations, and safety tests shall not be required when an installation is placed in red tag status. All code required maintenance, examinations, and safety tests shall be up to date, prior to removal of the red tag.(2) A conveyance in red tag status for two ye…

The department's rules regulating lifting devices for persons with disabilities people are described in this subpart.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-23700, filed 8/31/18, effective 10/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.87.020, 70.87.030, 70.87.034,…

(1) One- and five-year inspection test tags shall be required, attached, and visible.(2) The owner shall ensure that the accessibility lifts are routinely examined and maintained in accordance with ASME A18.1, Section 11 and with this subpart.(3) Documentation of tests, examinati…

WAC material lifts shall comply with the rules adopted by the department that were in effect at the time the conveyance was permitted, regardless of whether the rule(s) has been repealed, unless any new rule specifically states that it applies to all conveyances regardless of whe…

"Inclined private residence elevator" means a device constructed and operated for transporting people or property from one elevation to another at an angle of inclination of seventy degrees or less from the horizontal. Essentially, it is a car or platform traveling on guides or g…

Inclined private residence elevators shall comply with the rules adopted by the department that were in effect at the time the elevator was permitted, regardless of whether the rule(s) has been repealed, unless any new rule specifically states that it applies to all conveyances, …

If the inclined private residence elevator is altered, only the component(s) that was altered shall comply with the applicable rules adopted by the department in effect at the time the conveyance was altered. If the department determines that an elevator was altered without a per…

Owners of inclined private residence elevators are responsible for the following:(1) Maintaining elevators and mechanical parts in a safe condition; and(2) Ensuring that all devices and safeguards required by these regulations are maintained in good working order. The department …

(1) If the car sides extend less than 1.8288 m (6 ft.) above the floor of the car, there shall be no obstruction along the runway within 609.6 mm (24 in.) of the car sides.EXCEPTION:When solid guards are installed on the obstruction in both directions of travel which project at l…

Any landing enclosures and gates shall have:(1) A railing at least 1066.8 mm (42 in.) high to protect all landing platforms and those areas of a building used as landing platforms; and(2) A gate whose height is equal to the height of the railing to protect the passenger landing o…

(1) If spring or equivalent type buffers are not being used and rated speeds do not exceed 50 ft. per minute, solid bumpers shall be installed. Solid bumpers shall:(a) Be built of wood or other suitable resilient material;(b) Have the ability to resist deterioration from weather;…

(1) All machinery and sheaves shall be sufficiently secured and supported to prevent any part from becoming loose or displaced. Beams directly supporting machinery shall be made of steel, sound timber or reinforced concrete.(2) Beams and support loads shall be computed as follows…

The minimum rated load shall be not less than the following:(1) For net platform areas up to and including 12 ft2, the rated load shall be not less than 40 lbs./ft2 or 350 lbs. whichever is greater.(2) For net platform areas greater than 12 ft2, the rated load shall be based upon…

The maximum rated speed of an incline elevator, measured along the incline, is 0.381 m/s (75 ft./min.).[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.87.030. WSR 23-17-141, § 296-96-24127, filed 8/22/23, effective 10/2/23. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.87 RCW. WSR 18-18-070, § 296-96-24127, file…

(1) All of the components associated with inclined private residence elevators shall be built to a minimum safety factor of 5, unless otherwise specified in this part.(2) Inclined private residence elevator car frames and platforms shall:(a) Be built of metal, a combination of me…

Car enclosures shall be:(1) Enclosed on all sides, except at the entrance, to a height of at least 1066.8 mm (42 in.);(2) Enclosed with a type of material that will reject a 38.1 mm (1.5 in.) diameter ball;(3) Securely fastened to the car platform so that it cannot become loose o…

(1) All car entrances shall be protected by a door or gate. The height of the door or gate shall be at least 1066.8 mm (42 in.) and equal to the height of the car enclosure. Doors and gates may be of either a solid design or an openwork design. If of an openwork design, the door …

(1) The manufacturer shall install a weather resistant capacity plate. It shall be securely fastened to the car in a conspicuous place and state the car's rated load in pounds using letters at least 19.05 mm (0.75 in.) high.(2) The manufacturer shall install a metal data plate sh…

(1) Guides, guide rails, guide rail brackets, splice plates, and fastenings shall be made of steel or other metals conforming to the requirements of this section.(2) Guides, guide rails, guide rail brackets, and their fastenings and supports shall, at the point of support, deflec…

(1) Counterweights, where used, shall be in a guide or guiding members.(2) Counterweights shall not be of sufficient weight to cause undue slackening of any car hoisting rope or chain during acceleration or retardation of the car. Counterweight weight section(s) shall be mounted …

(1) All inclined private residence elevators shall be equipped with a safety capable of stopping and sustaining a car carrying its rated load.(a) Elevator safeties shall be type "A" or "B" or other devices approved by the department and shall be operated by a speed governor.(b) E…

(1) The safety shall be tested before the inclined private residence elevator is put into service. It shall be tested while the elevator is carrying its rated load.(2) Governors on instantaneous type safeties shall be tested by manually tripping the governor while the elevator is…

(1) Winding drums, traction sheaves, overhead sheaves and deflecting sheaves shall:(a) Be made of cast iron or steel;(b) Have diameters at least 30 times the diameter of the wire hoisting ropes; and(c) Have machined rope grooves.EXCEPTIONS:• If 8 x 19 steel ropes are used, drum a…

A hoistway shall be equipped with normal upper and lower terminal stopping switches that are activated by an elevator chassis. Normal upper and lower terminal stopping switches shall stop the elevator at the normal top and bottom terminals of travel.(1) A hoistway shall be equipp…