Chapter 101

subch. VII of ch. 101 SUBCHAPTER VII

ELEVATORS, ESCALATORS,
AND OTHER CONVEYANCES

101.981 101.981 Definitions; modification by rule.

101.981(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), in this subchapter:

101.981(1)(a) (a) “Amusement or thrill ride” has the meaning given s. 101.19 (1b) (b).

101.981(1)(b) (b) “Belt manlift” means a power-driven, looped belt equipped with steps or platforms and a hand hold for the transportation of people from one floor of a building or structure to another.

101.981(1)(c) (c) “Conveyance” means an elevator, an escalator, a dumbwaiter, a belt manlift, a moving walkway, a platform lift, and a stairway chair lift, and any other similar device, such as an automated people mover, used to elevate or move people or things, as provided in the rules of the department. “Conveyance” does not include a personnel hoist; a material hoist; a grain elevator; a lift as defined in s. 167.33 (1) (f); an amusement or thrill ride; or a vertical platform lift, inclined platform lift, or a stairway chair lift that serves an individual residential dwelling unit.

101.981(1)(d) (d) “Dumbwaiter” means a hoisting and lowering mechanism that satisfies all of the following conditions:

101.981(1)(d)1. 1. Is equipped with a compartment that moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction and has a floor area of not more than 9 square feet.

101.981(1)(d)2. 2. Has a maximum lifting and lowering capacity of not more than 500 pounds.

101.981(1)(d)3. 3. Is used exclusively for carrying materials.

101.981(1)(e) (e) “Elevator” means a hoisting or lowering machine, other than a dumbwaiter, equipped with a compartment or platform that moves in guides and serves 2 or more floors or landings of a building or structure.

101.981(1)(f) (f) “Escalator” means a power-driven, moving stairway used for raising and lowering people.

101.981(1)(g) (g) “Material hoist” means a hoist, other than a personnel hoist, that is used to raise or lower materials during construction, alteration, or demolition of a building or structure.

101.981(1)(h) (h) “Personnel hoist” means a hoist that is installed inside or outside a building or structure during the construction, alteration, or demolition of the building or structure and that is used to raise and lower workers, other personnel, and materials which the hoist is designed to carry.

101.981(2) (2) The department shall promulgate rules establishing additional definitions to the extent the department deems necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of this subchapter. The department, by rule, may modify definitions established under sub. (1). To the extent practicable, the department shall ensure that any definitions or modifications promulgated under this subsection are consistent with national, industry-wide safety standards governing matters regulated by this subchapter.

101.981 History History: 2005 a. 456; 2011 a. 32, 199, 209.

101.982 101.982 Conveyance safety code. The department shall promulgate rules establishing standards for the safe installation and operation of conveyances. In promulgating rules under this section the department shall consider the recommendations of the conveyance safety code council under s. 101.986. The rules shall be consistent, to the extent practicable, with national, industry-wide safety standards applicable to conveyances. The rules shall require any testing of conveyances or related equipment required under the rules to be performed by an elevator mechanic licensed under s. 101.985 (2). The rules shall require any person who installs a new conveyance to give the owner of the building in which the conveyance is installed, before the conveyance is placed in operation, a written certification indicating that the installation complies with the rules promulgated under this section. The rules shall include an enforcement procedure and a procedure pursuant to which the department may grant a variance from the rules if the variance would not jeopardize public safety.

101.982 History History: 2005 a. 456.

101.983 101.983 Approvals and permits for conveyances required.

101.983(1) (1) Construction, installation, and alteration.

101.983(1)(a) (a) Approval required. No person may construct, install, or alter a conveyance in this state unless an elevator contractor licensed by the department under s. 101.985 (1) has received an approval for the construction, installation, or alteration from the department.

101.983(1)(b) (b) Application. A person applying for an approval under par. (a) shall include, along with the application, copies of specifications and accurately scaled and fully dimensioned plans showing the location of the construction, installation, or alteration in relation to the plans and elevation of the building; the location of the applicable machinery room, if any, and the equipment to be constructed, installed, or altered; and all structural supporting members relevant to the construction, installation, or alteration, including foundations. The specifications and plans shall be sufficiently complete to illustrate all details of design and construction, installation, or alteration. The application shall specify all materials to be used and all loads to be supported or conveyed. The department may authorize a person to include the application and other information required under this paragraph with any submission required under s. 101.12 (1) to avoid duplicative filing of information.

101.983(1)(c) (c) Revocation. The department may revoke an approval issued under this subsection if the department finds any of the following:

101.983(1)(c)1. 1. That information submitted under par. (b) by the person obtaining the approval contains false statements or misrepresentations of material fact.

101.983(1)(c)2. 2. That the approval was issued in error.

101.983(1)(c)3. 3. That the work performed under the approval is not consistent with information submitted under par. (b) by the person obtaining the approval or is in violation of this subchapter or rules promulgated under this subchapter.

101.983(1)(d) (d) Expiration. An approval issued under this subsection expires under any of the following circumstances:

101.983(1)(d)1. 1. If the work authorized under the approval is not commenced within 6 months after the date on which the approval is issued, or within a shorter period of time as specified by the department at the time the approval is issued.

101.983(1)(d)2. 2. If the work authorized under the approval is suspended or abandoned for 60 consecutive days at any time following the commencement of the work, or for a shorter period of time as specified by the department at the time the approval is issued.

101.983(2) (2) Operating permits; inspections.

101.983(2)(a) (a) Operating permit required. No person may allow a conveyance to be operated on property owned by the person unless the person has received a permit under this subsection from the department that authorizes its operation.

101.983(2)(b) (b) Application. For a newly installed conveyance, the elevator contractor that contracted to perform the installation shall apply for the initial permit required under par. (a) on behalf of the owner of the building in which the conveyance is located. Applications for renewal of the permit shall be made by the owner.

101.983(2)(c) (c) Inspections. The department may not issue or renew a permit for a conveyance under this subsection unless the department or an independent inspector has conducted an inspection of the conveyance and has prepared an inspection report certifying that the conveyance complies with this subchapter and any applicable rules promulgated under this subchapter. Any inspection under this subsection or sub. (3) shall be performed by an inspector who is licensed under s. 101.985 (3).

101.983(2)(cm) (cm) Instruction on operation. When issuing or renewing a permit under this subsection, the department shall give the owner notice of relevant conveyance safety requirements and shall instruct the owner as to the procedure for obtaining periodic inspections and renewing the permit under which the conveyance is operated.

101.983(2)(d) (d) Term and posting requirements. A permit issued under this subsection has a term of one year. The owner of the building or residence in which a conveyance is located shall display the permit under par. (a) applicable to the conveyance on or in the conveyance or, if applicable, in the machinery room.

101.983(2)(e) (e) Exemption. This subsection does not apply to elevators or dumbwaiters that serve individual residential dwelling units.

101.983(3) (3) Inspections; individual residential dwelling units. If the owner and a prospective buyer of an individual residential dwelling unit that is served by a dumbwaiter or an elevator enter into a contract of sale for the unit that includes a provision requiring that the dumbwaiter or elevator be inspected, the inspection shall be performed by an elevator inspector licensed under s. 101.985 (3).

101.983(4) (4) Municipalities as agents. The department may appoint a city or village as its agent to do any of the following:

101.983(4)(a) (a) Issue approvals under sub. (1) (a).

101.983(4)(b) (b) Issue or renew permits under sub. (2) (a).

101.983(4)(c) (c) Conduct inspections and prepare inspection reports as provided under sub. (2) (c) and sub. (3).

101.983(4)(d) (d) Give notice and provide instruction as required under sub. (2) (cm).

101.983 History History: 2005 a. 456; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 20, 124; 2015 a. 195 s. 82.

101.984 101.984 Licenses and supervision required.

101.984(1) (1) Elevator contractor. No person may engage in the business of constructing, installing, altering, servicing, replacing, or maintaining conveyances in this state unless the person is licensed as an elevator contractor under s. 101.985 (1).

101.984(2) (2) Elevator mechanic.

101.984(2)(a) (a) Generally. Except as provided in par. (c), no individual may erect, construct, alter, replace, maintain, repair, remove, or dismantle any conveyance in this state unless the individual is licensed as an elevator mechanic under s. 101.985 (2) or is under the direct supervision of a person licensed as an elevator contractor under s. 101.985 (1).

101.984(2)(b) (b) Electrical construction. Except as provided in par. (c), no individual may wire any conveyance in this state from the mainline feeder terminals on the controller unless the individual is licensed as an elevator mechanic under s. 101.985 (2) or is under the direct supervision of a person licensed as an elevator contractor under s. 101.985 (1).

101.984(2)(c) (c) Exceptions.

101.984(2)(c)1. 1. Paragraph (a) does not apply to an individual who removes or dismantles a conveyance that is destroyed as a result of a complete demolition of a building or where the hoistway or wellway is demolished back to the basic support structure such that the hoistway or wellway is inaccessible.

101.984(2)(c)2. 2. Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to any of the following:

101.984(2)(c)2.a. a. An individual who is enrolled in and performing tasks that are within the scope of an elevator mechanic’s apprenticeship program that is approved by the U.S. department of labor or by the department of workforce development.

101.984(2)(c)2.b. b. An individual performing tasks under the direct supervision of and as a helper to an individual licensed as an elevator mechanic under s. 101.985 (2).

101.984(2)(c)2.c. c. An individual who performs work described under par. (a) or (b) during the 5-day period preceding the date on which the individual is issued an emergency elevator mechanic’s license under s. 101.985 (2) (c).

101.984(3) (3) Elevator inspector. No individual may perform an inspection of a conveyance in this state unless the individual is licensed as an elevator inspector under s. 101.985 (3).

101.984 History History: 2005 a. 456; 2013 a. 124.

101.985 101.985 Licensing qualifications and procedure.

101.985(1) (1) Elevator contractor. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the department shall issue an elevator contractor’s license to each person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the person is adequately qualified and able to engage in business as an elevator contractor. The department may summarily issue an elevator contractor’s license to a person who is licensed as an elevator contractor under the laws of another state, if, in the opinion of the department, that state’s regulation of elevator contractors is substantially the same as this state’s. Every person who applies for a license under this subsection shall provide the department with a certificate of insurance issued by one or more insurers authorized to do business in this state, indicating that the person is insured in the amount of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence because of bodily injury to or death of others, is insured in the amount of at least $500,000 per occurrence because of damage to the property of others, and is insured to the extent required under ch. 102. A person who is issued a license under this subsection shall notify the department in writing of any material change in these insurance coverages at least 10 days before the change takes effect.

101.985(2) (2) Elevator mechanics’ licenses.

101.985(2)(a) (a) Issuance. The department shall issue an elevator mechanic’s license to each individual who meets the requirements in either par. (ab) or (ad).

101.985(2)(ab) (ab) Requirements; apprenticeship and journeyman level. An individual is eligible for an elevator mechanic’s license if he or she satisfactorily completes an elevator mechanic’s apprenticeship program that is approved by the U.S. department of labor or by the department of workforce development or if he or she satisfies all of the following requirements:

101.985(2)(ab)2. 2. During the 3 years preceding the date of application, he or she was continuously employed in a position requiring the individual to perform work that is at a journeyman level and that is relevant to the erection, construction, alteration, replacement, maintenance, repair, or servicing of conveyances, as verified by the individual’s employers.

101.985(2)(ab)3. 3. He or she satisfactorily completes a written examination administered by the department covering the provisions of this subchapter, and rules promulgated under this subchapter, that are relevant to the license applied for or satisfactorily completes an elevator mechanic’s examination approved by the department and administered by a nationally recognized training program established by the elevator industry.

101.985(2)(ad) (ad) Requirements; training program.

101.985(2)(ad)1. 1. An individual is eligible for an elevator mechanic’s license if he or she satisfies all of the following requirements:

101.985(2)(ad)1.a. a. He or she verifies to the department that he or she has been certified as having successfully completed a 4-year program established by the National Elevator Industry Educational Program or an equivalent nationally recognized 4-year training program that is approved by the department.

101.985(2)(ad)1.b. b. He or she meets one of the requirements specified in subd. 2.

101.985(2)(ad)2. 2. In order to meet the requirement under subd. 1. b. for an elevator mechanic’s license, an individual applying for a license shall satisfy one of the following requirements:

101.985(2)(ad)2.a. a. He or she verifies to the department that, during the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the license application, he or she was employed for at least 1,000 hours in each of the 5 years performing work described under s. 101.984 (2) (a) or (b).

101.985(2)(ad)2.b. b. He or she verifies to the department that he or she has continuous experience in the elevator industry for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of the license application in a capacity, other than in the capacity of preforming work described under s. 101.984 (2) (a) or (b), that has allowed him or her to remain familiar with elevator equipment, technology, and industry practices. This experience may include performing management activities for a company that engages in the sale, installation, repair, or maintenance of conveyances, being involved in elevator industry labor relations, or supervising elevator mechanics.

101.985(2)(ad)2.c. c. He or she verifies to the department that he or she, during any 5 years preceding the date of the license application, was employed for at least 1,000 hours in each of those 5 years performing work that is relevant to the erection, construction, alteration, replacement, maintenance, repair, or servicing of conveyances and that this work included work described under s. 101.984 (2) (a) or (b). If the 5 years were not the 5 years immediately preceding the date of application, the applicant shall verify that this is due to the applicant’s work being disrupted by high unemployment in the elevator industry, military service, illness, disability, or another factor beyond the applicant’s control in order to meet the requirement under this subd. 2. c.

101.985(2)(am) (am) Requirements for individuals with prior experience. The department shall promulgate rules that establish requirements for issuing an elevator mechanic’s license to an individual who has performed work described under s. 101.984 (2) (a) or (b) within the scope of his or her employment before June 1, 2007, but who does not satisfy the requirements under par. (ab) or (ad) to be issued a license. The rules may contain a deadline before which an individual must apply for a license issued under this paragraph.

101.985(2)(b) (b) Licensing out-of-state mechanics. The requirements under pars. (ab) and (ad) do not apply to an individual who is licensed as an elevator mechanic under the laws of another state, if, in the opinion of the department, that state’s regulation of elevator mechanics is substantially the same as this state’s. The department may summarily issue an elevator mechanic’s license to such an individual.

101.985(2)(c) (c) Emergency licensing. If the governor declares that a state of emergency exists in this state under s. 323.10 and the department determines that the number of individuals in the state who hold an elevator mechanic’s license issued by the department under this section on the date of the declaration is insufficient to cope with the emergency, the department shall summarily issue an emergency elevator mechanic’s license to any individual who is certified by an elevator contractor licensed under this subchapter as adequately qualified and able to perform the work of an elevator mechanic without direct and immediate supervision, who the department determines is so qualified and able, and who applies for an emergency elevator mechanic’s license on a form prescribed by the department. An individual certified by a contractor under this paragraph may perform work as an elevator mechanic for up to a total of 5 days preceding the date the individual is issued the license. An emergency elevator mechanic’s license has a term of 30 days and may be renewed by the department in the case of a continuing emergency. The department shall specify on an emergency elevator mechanic’s license the geographic area in which the licensee may provide services under the license. The requirements under pars. (ab) and (ad) do not apply to an individual who applies for an emergency elevator mechanic’s license.

101.985(2)(d) (d) Temporary licensing. If there are no elevator mechanics licensed under this subchapter available to provide services contracted for by an elevator contractor licensed under this subchapter, the elevator contractor may notify the department and request the issuance of a temporary elevator mechanic’s license to any individual who is certified by the elevator contractor as adequately qualified and able to perform the work of an elevator mechanic without direct and immediate supervision and who applies for a temporary elevator mechanic’s license on a form prescribed by the department. A temporary elevator mechanic’s license has a term of 30 days and may be renewed by the department in the case of a continuing shortage of licensed elevator mechanics. The department shall specify on a temporary elevator mechanic’s license the elevator contractor in whose employ the licensee must remain to provide services under the temporary elevator mechanic’s license. The requirements under pars. (ab) and (ad) do not apply to an individual who applies for a temporary elevator mechanic’s license.

101.985(3) (3) Elevator inspector. The department shall issue an elevator inspector license to each individual who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the individual is adequately qualified and able to provide inspection services of conveyances as required under s. 101.983 (2). The department shall promulgate rules that establish the qualifications required for issuance of an elevator inspector license.

101.985(5) (5) Issuance, term, renewal, and continuing education.

101.985(5)(a) (a) Issuance and term. Except as provided under ss. 440.12 and 440.13, the department shall issue a license to any applicant who satisfies the applicable requirements of subs. (1) to (3) and any rules promulgated under subs. (1) to (3) and who pays any applicable fee required by rule of the department under s. 101.19 (1g) (k). Except as provided under sub. (2) (c) and (d), the term of each license is 2 years.

101.985(5)(b) (b) Renewal and continuing education.

101.985(5)(b)1. 1. An applicant for renewal of a license under sub. (2) (ab), (ad), or (b), or (3) shall provide to the department a certificate indicating that, during the term of the license, the applicant has satisfactorily met the education requirements established by rule under subd. 2.

101.985(5)(b)2. 2. The department shall promulgate rules that establish the education requirements for purposes of subd. 1. The rules shall include all of the following:

101.985(5)(b)2.a. a. Standards for certification of specific programs.

101.985(5)(b)2.b. b. The number of hours of education required.

101.985(5)(b)2.c. c. Criteria for receiving a waiver from the department of the education requirements.

101.985(6) (6) Revocation and suspension. The department may revoke or suspend a license issued under subs. (1) to (3) if the department finds any of the following:

101.985(6)(a) (a) That the licensee made a false statement of material fact in an application submitted to the department.

101.985(6)(b) (b) That the license was obtained by fraud, misrepresentation, or bribery.

101.985(6)(c) (c) That the licensee failed to notify the department and the owner or lessee of a conveyance that the conveyance failed to meet any of the requirements of this subchapter or of the rules promulgated under this subchapter.