Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elevator Standards topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State Building Code Council members urge coordination with L&I on elevator language in HB 1183
Summary
During an April 5 meeting, the State Building Code Council legislative committee discussed proposed elevator language in House Bill 1183 and urged coordination with the Department of Labor and Industries before adopting any standards into the building code, citing budget, technical and authority concerns.
State Building Code Council legislative committee members discussed proposed elevator language in House Bill 1183 on April 5, and generally advised that the Department of Labor and Industries — not the council — should adopt elevator standards before the council is asked to reference them in the building code.
The discussion focused on whether the bill’s backers intend to require adoption of an international (ISO) elevator standard, and whether the council should be directed to change building-code references in chapter 30 to match any such adoption. Dustin (staff member) said, “the inclusion of adoption of standards by SBCC shouldn't be a part of this bill,” and recommended that, if standards are desired, the Legislature direct L&I to adopt them and direct SBCC to correlate the building-code references.
Committee members said the current building-code chapter that governs elevators (chapter 30) already references standards that align with L&I’s adoptions. Participants named ASME A17.1 and CSA B44 as the standards L&I currently references. Committee members and staff also discussed whether an ISO standard would allow smaller elevator cars to serve buildings up to six stories — a policy goal cited by bill proponents — and whether ASME A17.1 currently prevents that use. The committee did not reach a technical determination; Dustin said he would consult L&I’s elevator program staff to identify the specific ASME provisions that might be the sticking point and then draft a response to Senator Solomon.
Members raised practical concerns about the consequences of directing a new standard into law. Several participants noted L&I would face a substantial adoption process if asked to adopt an ISO standard and that doing so could trigger a budget and operating-cost increase for the agency. Members also relayed concerns raised in prior testimony about training, equipment availability and market readiness if the state were to require or permit smaller elevator cars for taller buildings.
Committee members proposed a coordinated path: if the Legislature wants the state to allow smaller elevator cars in certain building types, the likely route is (1) the Legislature directs L&I to adopt a particular standard or otherwise take action; (2) L&I completes its adoption process; and (3) SBCC updates reference sections in the building code so the code and L&I references align. The committee did not adopt any formal change or motion on the subject during the meeting; instead staff agreed to seek clarifying input from L&I and report back.
Several technical code sections and cross-references were mentioned repeatedly during the discussion (chapter 30, chapter 35 and provisions cited as section 3002.4 and related code notes). Committee members said those sections would be the likely places to add exceptions or correlation language if the Legislature proceeds.
Dustin summarized next steps: contact L&I’s elevator program for the specific ASME/ISO question, gather the technical details, and draft a response to Senator Solomon that the council could use to coordinate with stakeholders. The committee also discussed convening joint conversations with L&I and other experts if a rapid legislative timeline demands it.
The committee’s discussion left the technical question unresolved but established a staff task to obtain the L&I guidance needed for a coordinated legislative and rule change process.
