The State of Florida has adopted the ASME A17.3-2015 Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators effective January 1, 2021.
A17.3-2015 is a RETROACTIVE code. This means all elevators within the State of Florida must meet this code.
A17.3-2015 Contains the Retroactive Requirement 3.10.12 System to Monitor and Prevent Automatic Operation of the Elevator with Faulty Door Contact Circuits. All conveyances licensed by the State of Florida Bureau of Elevator Safety, including those located within the 5 contracted jurisdictions (Broward, Miami-Dade, City of Miami, City of Miami Beach, Reedy Creek Development District) must be in compliance of the above Code by December 31, 2023.
What is Door Lock Monitoring?
Door Lock Monitoring is a system that monitors the position and state of the Elevator doors and the status of the door contact circuits. In the event of a faulty or bypassed door circuit, power will be removed from the elevator and safely remove it from service until the condition is resolved. The system can be via Software or additional hardware. Many Elevators installed after 2015 may already have this system installed.
Time is of the essence. Your Elevator must be equipped with Door Lock Monitoring no later than 2023.
This code was originally enforced retroactively in New York City and all elevators needed to be
upgraded to comply with this code. If you do not act soon, you will be subject to long material lead times, violations, and increased pricing to complete your installation as vendors will be dealing with a backlog of last minute installations.
Enforcement, Violations, and Fines
Failure to comply with this code requirement by 2023, may result in failed inspections, certificates not being renewed, costly fines, and possible shutdowns of your equipment by the AHJ.
How do I comply?
Compliance with this code will require review of your Elevator System by a Licensed Elevator Contractor. While some Elevators may require a software upgrade, if your Elevator was installed prior to 2015, your system will most likely require an additional Hardware Upgrade. This requires modifying your existing Elevators Wiring and Operation by adding a Separate Door Lock Monitor Control Box. The costs for this upgrade ranges from $10,000.00 to $25,000.00 per Elevator. This upgrade is NOT required to be performed by your Existing Service Provider or the OEM of your Elevator. Typically your existing Service Provider or the OEM will not provide you with the best possible pricing and they may not be experienced with the installation process. Door Lock Monitoring systems are complex as they modify the wiring and operation of your elevator. If installed incorrectly, Door Lock Monitoring can cause excessive shutdowns and failures of your elevator or even pose a safety issue. It is important to use a contractor that is experienced in the installation of these systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, Door Lock Monitoring is mandatory for all elevators in the State of Florida
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No, you can use any experienced vendor to perform your Door Lock Monitoring installation. This is considered work outside your Service Agreement.
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All elevators must be equipped with Door Lock Monitoring by December 31st, 2023.
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Yes, typically your elevator will be out of service for 1-3 Days for Installation and Inspection.
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Failure to comply with Door Lock Monitoring will result in failed inspections and fines from the State and/or County.
Top Five Experienced Vendors
The use of a fully licensed, insured, and experienced vendor is critical in the performance of your Door Lock Monitoring. The following vendors are licensed, insured, and experienced with the installation of Door Lock Monitoring.