Good afternoon, The Board of Elevator Regulations, charged with the safe operation, installation, construction, and alteration of all elevators in the Commonwealth, especially as these may relate to prevent the spread of fire, has identified a safety issue occurring when emergency services utilize Firefighter’s Emergency Operation Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation. In certain circumstances, a firefighter performing a door operation with the door open button who releases the button prior to the complete opening of the door experiences the continuation of the door opening, rather than reclosing. As soon as the Board and the Elevator Division became aware of this situation, involving as it does a safety issue, it took steps to incorporate appropriate testing and notification to those who own and control such elevators. These inspections identified several elevators which failed to respond to the commands of emergency personnel during Phase II Operations. As a part of the Board’s efforts to remedy this situation fully and fairly, the Board invited representatives of the manufacturers of these controllers to its January 18, 2022 meeting to hear their concerns and remedial plans. This Notice is prompted in response to these manufacturers’ presentations. First, with respect to the observations made regarding in-car elevator stop switches, the Board reiterates its position that this safety issue relates to the operation of the elevator doors under Firefighter Phase II operation. Since the operation of the in-car stop switch affects the operation of the car doors under these current and historical sections of the Elevator Code A17.1-2000, 2004, 2013, § 2.27.3.3.1(d) & A17.1 - 1987, 1989, 1996, § 211.3c(1)(c) the elevators have been found to be non-compliant with their current configuration under the applicable code. Given this, the Board restates its determination that the circumstances for which numerous elevators have been identified during inspection are in violation of the Elevator Code, and the violations must be remedied. As has been indicated, the Board and Division expect a full and fair resolution of those elevators inspected with this type of code violation. We recognize that some solutions may pose greater challenges, although owners, operators, contractors, mechanics, and manufacturers must collaborate and work together to ensure that those repairs needed to place the equipment in a safe and code compliant condition are completed in a timely manner. It is the expectation of the Board, in the normal course, that all such repairs will be fully completed and will be able to pass inspection by the end of calendar year 2022. Questions or concerns may be directed to the Chief of Elevator Inspections, Thomas E. McDermott, thomas.mcdermott@mass.gov. The Chief, or the staff of the Department may redirect inquiries as may be appropriate in any particular circumstance. The Board and the Department greatly appreciate your anticipated cooperation.

Good afternoon, Please be advised that on May 24th the Office of Public Safety and Inspections will issue conditional certificates for elevators which are currently in a FS Work Order status. The certificates will stipulate that the unit has passed annual inspection except for the Fire Fighter’s Service Phase II Stop Switch. The equipment status will change to certified with stipulation. The stipulation will state that the FS90 repairs must be completed by December 31, 2022. as per the Notice issued by this Office on March 29, 2022. This change to equipment status will allow applicants to pay for their next annual inspection. FS90 re-inspections will be scheduled 90 days after the inspection at which the violation was cited. If the elevator company will not be ready to test at the scheduled 90-day re-inspection, they must apply for an extension. Extension requests must be received by our office within 30 days of the original inspection. When the FS90 re-inspection has passed OPSI will issue a new certificate with without stipulation. Please note that pursuant to 524 CMR 10.03, permits are required in order to alter fire fighter emergency operation controls and/or perform a change in the type of operation or control. Kindly contact the Department's Technical Code Coordinator to apply for a permit. The Department sincerely appreciates your anticipated cooperation,

Good afternoon, The Office of Public Safety and Inspections has been informed that some elevator companies have initiated repairs for the Fire Fighter’s Service Phase II Stop Switch without applying for a permit. Please be advised that, pursuant to 524 CMR 10.03, permits are required in order to alter fire fighter emergency operation controls and/or perform a change in the type of operation or control. All elevator contractors must apply for a permit in IPS and pay the corresponding fee, prior to starting repairs. Applicants must also submit certified plans from the controller manufacturer detailing the repairs to be made. Once received, the Code Coordinator will issue the permit in the ordinary course. When the repairs are complete, elevator companies may then request the 90-Day re-inspection to clear the Phase II stop switch violation. Elevator Companies who are not ready to commence repairs by the scheduled re-inspection date, must apply for an extension of the 90-Day repair timeframe. Applications for extension of the Phase II stop switch violation, as well as any other violation, must be filed within thirty (30) days of receipt of the original Notice of Violation. The Department may grant extensions for an additional 90-days each. Requests for extension must be detailed and must be submitted in writing (email is sufficient) to the Department. Per the Board of Elevator Regulations notice issued March 29, 2022, all repairs must be completed by December 31, 2022. The Department greatly appreciates your anticipated cooperation.