More time for elevator upgrades

Rep. Tom Hackbarth (R-Cedar) would like to give residential and commercial building owners more time to comply with elevator upgrades required by the latest building code revision. According to statute, elevator upgrades must be completed by Jan. 29, 2012, or the elevator will be taken out of service.

“I don’t believe I have an elevator in my district, but a constituent of mine does own some condominiums and apartment buildings that have some elevators,” Hackbarth told the House Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee March 2. After an inspection, the owner realized he needed more time to get the work done.

Hackbarth sponsors HF664, which would extend the compliance deadline. Owners would have three years to implement changes after submitting their work plan to the Department of Labor and Industry. The committee approved the bill, which goes next to the House floor. It has no Senate companion.

The most recent rules were adopted in 2007, but the economy has changed drastically since then, said Todd Liljenquist, director of government relations for the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, putting a burden on property owners. He said an informal poll of association members revealed 119 elevators in buildings they owned were indicated as needing work, but only 48 had already complied with the upgrades.

Besides the expense of making the upgrades, there is a limited number of contractors available statewide who can perform the work to make sure it’s in compliance, said Liljenquist. Hackbarth said the number of elevator inspectors is also limited, hindering the process.