Effective January 1, 2022, several changes to the NYC Building Code and the Elevator and Escalator Safety Code will impact the way elevators, escalators and other City-licensed conveying systems and devices will be inspected and tested in the City of New York. Most notably, the NYC DOB building code will no longer subcontract “Periodic Inspections” to what were previously known as “PVT Agencies”, but rather the performance of these yearly vertical transportation inspections will become the responsibility of the building owner. The following additions and/or changes to the NYC Building Code, Article 304 – Elevators and Conveying Systems are being adopted:

• Inspections previously performed by private sub-contractors on behalf of the NYC DOB  building code Elevator Division must now be performed by an approved, licensed elevator agency, not affiliated with the agency performing the maintenance. Owners will be required to contract with approved elevator agencies at their expense. These inspections will now be referred to as “Periodic Inspections” and are in addition to the current Category 1 & 5 Tests and Inspections being performed.
• There are also changes made to the required time frames for filing of Category 1 & 5 Inspection reports as well as the correction of deficiencies and filing of Affirmation of Correction affidavits. All of which are being reduced New rules are summarized further, below:

 

Periodic Inspections
What is required	When it must be completed by
Inspection performed annually by licensed third party	Once per calendar year, must be a minimum 3 months apart from any Category 1 Inspection
Deficiencies noted must be filed in DOB NOW by third party performing inspection.	Must be filed by third party in DOB NOW within 14 days from the date of inspection.
Deficiencies must be cured and filed in DOB NOW. Curing and/or filing performed by Service Contractor and/or Owner.	Deficiencies must be cured within 90 days from the date of inspection and filed in DOB NOW within 14 days of correction.

 

Category 1 Tests and Inspections
What is required	When it must be completed by
Inspection performed by service provider and witnessed by licensed third party	Once per calendar year, must be a minimum 3 months apart from any Periodic Inspection and a minimum 6 months from the previous Category 1.
Deficiencies noted must be filed in DOB NOW by Service Contractor performing inspection.	Must be filed within 21 days from the date of inspection.
Deficiencies must be cured and filed in DOB NOW. Curing and/or filing performed by Service Contractor and/or Owner.	Deficiencies must be cured within 90 days from the date of inspection and filed in DOB NOW within 14 days of correction.

Please note: The NYC DOB Elevator Division may grant up to two (2) extensions of forty-five (45) days each upon submission of an application by which the Owner demonstrates a practical difficulty in complying with the 90-day timeframe listed above.

Requirements for performance of Category-5 Tests and Inspections remain unchanged. Filing requirements of Category-5 Tests and Inspections are conformed to the same 21-days required for filing of Category-1’s.

VDA is available to answer any questions you may have with regards to these upcoming changes and will be issuing proposals to all Clients for the performance of the Periodic Inspections.