Resources

Contractors and Builders

ELEVATOR ALTERNATE POWER Number:2006-03 Date:2006/07/19
This bulletin is provided to aid in compliance with Florida law, and is not intended as legal advice. While care has been taken to ensure its accuracy, in the event of a conflict, the actual statute or administrative rule will control.
NEW LAW INCREASES ELEVATOR ALTERNATE POWER REQUIREMENTS
On June 1, 2006, Governor Jeb Bush signed into law House Bill 7121, relating to disaster preparedness response. The relevant portion of this law amends Section 553.509, Florida Statutes, and requires emergency power generation for public elevators located in new and existing residential multifamily dwellings, including condominiums, at least 75 feet in height. The emergency power generated must be sufficient to operate: at least one public elevator, allowing all residents access for an unspecified number of hours each day for a period of five days following the disruption of the normal power supply; any connected fire alarm system which also controls elevator operation; and emergency lighting in specified internal public areas. Alternate power generation may be accomplished through the installation of an appropriately-sized generator and fuel storage or by pre-wiring the elevator and other required systems to accept a generator, along with a contract for supply of a generator and fuel source. Engineering plans must be submitted to the local building inspection agency by December 31, 2006, and full compliance must be achieved by December 31, 2007. Local building inspection and emergency management agencies will be responsible for ensuring that buildings comply with the requirements of this law and building owners, managers, or operators supply the required documentation. A Certified Elevator Inspector (CEI) will annually verify compliance with the quarterly inspection, records maintenance, and generator key requirements or confirm pre-wiring and contract continuation, as specified by law.
NEW LAW REQUIRES INSPECTOR VERIFICATION
As part of the annual elevator inspection, a CEI will verify compliance with certain requirements of House Bill 7121. CEIs must annually verify that appropriate quarterly inspections were conducted on the generator, the inspections records are available for review, and the generator key is stored in the correct location. If the building owner opts, as allowed by the new law, to pre-wire a generator connection and enter into a contract for delivery of a generator and fuel source, then the CEI will confirmthat the pre-wiring is in place and a current contract exists. This verification process will become part of the annual elevator inspection and the information shall be provided to the Bureau of Elevator Safety on the annual elevator inspection report.
ANNUAL ELEVATOR INSPECTION REPORT BEING MODIFIED
The elevator inspection report is currently being modified to enhance its functionality and to include the compliance verification required by House Bill 7121, as discussed above. The modified elevator inspection report will be available by no later thanDecember 31, 2006, and may be used immediately to begin verifying compliance with the requirements of House Bill 7121.
ELEVATOR INSPECTION REPORT SUBMISSION
All certified elevator inspectors and registered elevator companies are reminded that, per Florida Statutes, annual elevator inspection reports must be submitted to the Bureau of Elevator Safety within 5 days of the completion of the annual elevator inspection. Elevator inspection reports may be submitted in hard-copy or by electronic submission through the department's website at www.myfloridalicense.com. Additional information on House Bill 7121 is available on our website at www.MyFlorida.com/dbpr or by calling the department's Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
Jeb Bush, Governor Division of Hotels and Restaurants Simone Marstiller, Secretary www.MyFlorida.com • www.hospitalityeducation.org

Safety Tips

Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services CHARLES H. BRONSON, Commissioner The Capitol • Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800 LP Gas Inspections Safety Tips For Installation Of Propane And Natural Gas Generators With the increased demand for generators in residential and commercial use, we have observed several instances where generators are not being properly installed and these improper installations have threatened the welfare of building occupants as well as damage to the generators themselves. Some issues that have arisen in the recent months are cited below: * Generator Engine Exhaust Carbon monoxide kills-- and generators produce carbon monoxide. Adopted safety codes provide minimum safe distances when installing generators. Engine exhaust must be a minimum of 5 feet from a building opening and should always be directed away from any opening, regardless of the separation distance. Keep in mind that the exhaust capacity may call for an increase in this distance, so manufacturer's instructions in this matter must be followed. * Regulators Improper regulator installation is causing many generator engines to "burn up" early in the process. This is due primarily to regulators that are installed too far from the equipment and improper fuel line sizing. A regulator installed too far from the generator causes a pressure drop at the engine on start up, causing the valves to "burn up" by starving the engine for fuel. This may not happen in the first few test cycles, but after several months, the generator will begin to show the effects of this improper installation. * Regulator Venting Regulator venting is another issue of concern. The point of discharge for a regulator relief must be a minimum of 3 feet horizontally away from any building opening below the level of discharge. The discharge must be a minimum of 5 ft. from the generator, any other source of ignition (pool pilots and air conditioning units) and away from air intakes or openings into direct-vent appliances. Regulator venting should be installed in a manner that facilitates the dispersal of any gas that may be trapped in the vent piping. Warning: Terminating or running regulator vent piping underground can prevent the regulator from operating properly and can cause flammable vapors to accumulate, resulting in fire or explosion. Pipe used to vent regulators must be approved. PVC may not be used unless it meets the requirements of UL 651, Schedule 40 or 80 Rigid PVC Conduit. Other PVC materials and polyethylene and polyamide piping and tubing cannot be used. * Hazards Associated with Gas Delivery to Generators Companies delivering gas to multiple generator sites - such as cell phone towers - should pay special attention to the location of the generators; test/maintenance cycles; and conditions which would inhibit ventilation in the area during delivery. Filling containers serving a generator at a site where other generators are co-located creates a hazardous situation due to the potential for other generators to cycle on while you are filling the container. Even if equipment is properly installed and distance requirements are observed, weather conditions or other factors can effect the dispersal of product in the area when filling. Remind delivery technicians to be observant and be safe. * Codes Relating to Generator Installation Generators must be installed in accordance with applicable safety codes. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes that deal directly with gas generators are as follows: NFPA 110 - Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems This code covers installation, maintenance, operation and testing requirements for emergency power supply systems, and references the following codes: NFPA 54 - The National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 58 - The LP-Gas Code NFPA 37 - Standard for the Installation and Use of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines. These codes can be obtained from the National Fire Protection Association at 1/800-334-3555. Installers should also check with local jurisdictions for more stringent requirements. The Bureau of LP Gas Inspection strongly recommends companies engaged in generator sales, service and installation consult with the manufacturers of the products as well as these codes in order to provide a safe product to your customers. * Licensing Persons who install gas powered generators must be licensed. If you are a contractor who arranges for licensed companies to perform the gas portion of the installation, please make sure they are properly licensed and insured. A copy of their license is required to be presented upon request. If you have any questions about a particular company, our office will be glad to verify any license by phone. We can be contacted at 850/921-8001, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A licensed electrician must perform any electrical work associated with the generator installation. IMPORTANT: No one - other than a Residential, Building or General Contractor - may subcontract this work. If you install generators and you are NOT Residential, Building or General Contractor, you should advise your customers to make arrangements for the electrical work directly with a licensed electrician. If you have any questions about the information contained in this bulletin, or if our office may be of assistance in any other matter, please feel free to contact us. VO:em