Chapter 4105 | Elevators

Section 4105.01 | Definitions.

• Effective: April 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 134th General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Elevator" means a hoisting and lowering apparatus equipped with a car, cage, or platform which moves on or between permanent rails or guides and serves two or more fixed landings in a building or structure to which section 3781.06 of the Revised Code applies or in a private residence. "Elevator" includes dumb-waiters other than hand-powered dumb-waiters, escalators, manlifts, moving walks, of the endless belt type, other lifting or lowering apparatus permanently installed on or between rails or guides, and all equipment, machinery, and construction related to any elevator; but does not include construction hoists and other similar temporary lifting or lowering apparatuses, ski lifts, chairlifts installed in a private residence, a lifting device installed in a showroom for demonstration purposes only, traveling, portable amusement rides or devices that are not affixed to a permanent foundation, or nonportable amusement rides or devices that are affixed to a permanent foundation.

(B) "Passenger elevator" means an elevator that is designed to carry persons to its contract capacity.

(C) "Freight elevator" means an elevator normally used for carrying freight and on which only the operator and employees in the pursuit of their duties, by the permission of the employer, are allowed to ride.

(D) "Gravity elevator" means an elevator utilizing gravity to move.

(E) "General inspector" means a state inspector examined and hired to inspect elevators and lifting apparatus for that state.

(F) "Special inspector" means an inspector examined and commissioned by the superintendent of industrial compliance to inspect elevators and lifting apparatus in the state.

(G) "Inspector" means either a general or special inspector.

(H) "Private residence" means a distinct building or a unit in a multiple dwelling building that is occupied by members of a single-family unit.

Last updated March 21, 2023 at 3:36 PM

Section 4105.011 | Board of building standards - powers and duties.

• Effective: November 22, 1973
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 589 - 110th General Assembly

The board of building standards, established by section 3781.07 of the Revised Code, shall:

(A) Formulate and adopt rules governing the design, construction, repair, alteration, and maintenance of elevators. Such rules shall prescribe uniform minimum standards necessary for the protection of the public health and safety and shall follow generally accepted engineering standards, formulae, and practices established and pertaining to such elevator design, construction, repair, alteration, and maintenance. The board may adopt existing published standards as well as amendments thereto subsequently published by the same authority.

(B) Prescribe the tests that shall be used to ascertain the qualities of materials used in the construction, repair, or alteration of elevators;

(C) Make a standard form of certificate of inspection;

(D) Prescribe the examinations for certificates of competency provided for in section 4105.02 of the Revised Code.

Section 4105.02 | Certificate of competency in elevator inspection.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

No person may act, either as a general inspector or as a special inspector, of elevators, unless the person holds a certificate of competency from the division of industrial compliance.

Application for examination as an inspector of elevators shall be in writing, accompanied by a fee to be established as provided in section 4105.17 of the Revised Code, and upon a blank to be furnished by the division, stating the school education of the applicant, a list of the applicant's employers, the applicant's period of employment, and the position held with each. An applicant shall also submit a letter from one or more of the applicant's previous employers certifying as to the applicant's character and experience.

Applications shall be rejected which contain any willful falsification or untruthful statements. An applicant, if the division considers the applicant's history and experience sufficient, shall be examined by the superintendent of industrial compliance by a written examination dealing with the construction, installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of elevators and their appurtenances, and the applicant shall be accepted or rejected on the merits of the applicant's application and examination.

Except as provided in this section, the superintendent shall issue a certificate of competency in the inspection of elevators to any applicant found competent upon examination. A rejected applicant shall be entitled, after the expiration of ninety days and upon payment of an examination fee to be established as provided in section 4105.17 of the Revised Code, to another examination. Should an applicant fail to pass the prescribed examination on second trial, the applicant will not be permitted to be an applicant for another examination for a period of one year after the second examination.

The superintendent shall issue a certificate of competency in the inspection of elevators in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant if either of the following applies:

(A) The applicant holds a license or certificate in another state.

(B) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as an inspector of elevators in a state that does not issue that license or certificate.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 6:48 AM

Section 4105.03 | Superintendent to hire assistant and general inspectors.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

The superintendent of industrial compliance, with the consent of the director of commerce, shall hire an assistant who has at least ten years of experience in the construction, installation, maintenance, and repair of elevators and their appurtenances.

The superintendent, with the consent of the director, and in compliance with Chapter 124. of the Revised Code, may appoint and hire general inspectors of elevators from the holders of certificates of competency.

Section 4105.04 | Employment or designation of special inspectors.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

From the holders of certificates of competency in the inspection of elevators, any company that is authorized to insure elevators in the state, may designate persons to inspect elevators covered by such company's policies, and the department of public safety of any city and the clerk of any village may designate persons to inspect elevators in such city or village. Such persons shall, upon the payment of a fee to be established as provided in section 4105.17 of the Revised Code, have issued to them annually by the division of industrial compliance, commissions to serve as special inspectors of elevators in the state.

Section 4105.05 | Suspension or revocation of special inspector's commission.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

A commission to serve as a special inspector may be suspended or revoked by the superintendent of industrial compliance, for the incompetence or untrustworthiness of the holder thereof, or for the falsification of any matter or statement contained in the holder's application or in a report of any inspection.

Section 4105.06 | Lost certificate or commission.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

If a certificate or commission issued under sections 4105.02 and 4105.04 of the Revised Code is lost or destroyed a new one shall be issued in its place by the division of industrial compliance without another examination, upon the payment of a fee to be established as provided in section 4105.07 of the Revised Code.

Section 4105.07 | Insurance company may inspect.

• Effective: March 18, 1969
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 108th General Assembly

If an elevator is insured by a company authorized to insure elevators in the state, the inspection may be made by a special inspector of such company, and the only fee collectible by the state shall be the certificate fee provided for in section 4105.17 of the Revised Code.

Section 4105.08 | General inspector may inspect - fee.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

If an elevator is not inspected by a special inspector, the inspection shall be made by a general inspector, and for each inspection there shall be a fee charged as provided in section 4105.17 of the Revised Code.

Section 4105.09 | Registration of elevators.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

The owner or user of any elevator shall register, with the division of industrial compliance, every elevator operated by the owner or user, giving the type, capacity, and description, name of manufacturer, and purpose for which each is used. Such registration shall be made on a form to be furnished by the division.

Section 4105.10 | Frequency of inspection.

• Effective: April 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, elevators shall be inspected in accordance with the following:

(1) Every passenger elevator, escalator, moving walk, and freight elevator, including gravity elevators, shall be inspected twice every twelve months.

(2) Power dumb-waiters, hoists, and other lifting or lowering apparatus, not designed to carry persons, permanently installed, either on or between rails or guides, shall be inspected at least once every twelve months.

(3) The board of building standards may designate, by rule, classifications of passenger elevators with a capacity of seven hundred fifty pounds or less that shall be inspected once every twelve months.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to an elevator installed in a private residence.

Last updated March 15, 2023 at 10:08 AM

Section 4105.11 | Responsibility for inspections - adjudication orders.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

The inspection of elevators shall be made by the inspectors authorized in sections 4105.03 and 4105.04 of the Revised Code, under the supervision of the superintendent of industrial compliance, and the superintendent shall enforce this chapter and any rules adopted pursuant thereto.

Every inspector shall forward to the superintendent a full and complete report of each inspection made of any elevator and shall, on the day the inspection is completed, leave a copy of such report with the owner or operator of the elevator, or the owner's or operator's agent or representative. Such report shall indicate the exact condition of the elevator and shall list any and all of the provisions of this chapter and any rules adopted pursuant thereto, with which the elevator does not comply. Before attempting to enforce, by any remedy, civil or criminal, the provisions with which the inspected elevator does not comply, the chief shall issue an adjudication order within the meaning of Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

The approval of construction plans, or an application of specifications under section 4105.16 of the Revised Code is a license, and the failure to approve such plans or specifications by the chief within sixty days after they are filed is an adjudication order denying the issuance of a license.

Every adjudication order shall specify what appliances, site preparations, additions, repairs, or alterations to any elevators, plans, materials, assemblages, or procedures are necessary for the same to comply with this chapter, or any rules adopted pursuant thereto. Such adjudication order shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and shall be effective without prior hearing, within thirty days after the receipt of such order, the owner of the elevator specified therein may appeal to the board of building appeals under section 3781.19 of the Revised Code.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 119. of the Revised Code relating to adjudication hearings, a stenographic or mechanical record of the testimony and other evidence submitted before the board of building appeals shall be taken at the expense of the agency. A party adversely affected by an order issued following such adjudication hearing may appeal to the court of common pleas of the county in which the party is a resident or in which the elevator affected by such order is located. The court in such case shall not be confined to the record as certified to it by the agency, but any party may produce additional evidence and the court shall hear the matter upon such record and such additional evidence as is introduced by any party. The court shall not affirm the order of the agency unless the preponderance of the evidence before it supports the reasonableness and lawfulness of such order, and of any rules upon which the order of the agency is based in its application to the facts involved in the appeal.

Failure to comply with the requirements of any order issued pursuant to this section or the continued operation of any elevator after it has been sealed pursuant to section 4105.21 of the Revised Code is hereby declared a public nuisance.

Section 4105.12 | Rules.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The superintendent of industrial compliance shall adopt, amend, and repeal rules exclusively for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of certificates of competency and certificates of operation, for the conduct of hearings related to these actions, and for the inspection of elevators.

(B) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, the superintendent shall not adopt rules relating to construction, maintenance, and repair of elevators.

Section 4105.13 | Safety equipment - vertical wheelchair lifts.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 281 - 134th General Assembly

Every elevator shall be constructed, equipped, maintained, and operated, with respect to the supporting members, elevator car, shaftways, guides, cables, doors, and gates, safety stops and mechanism, electrical apparatus and wiring, mechanical apparatus, counterweights, and all other appurtenances, in accordance with state laws and rules as are authorized in respect thereto. Where reasonable safety is obtained without complying to the literal requirements of such rules as in cases of practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, the literal requirements of such rules shall not be required. The superintendent of industrial compliance may permit the installation of vertical wheelchair lifts in public buildings to provide for accessibility for persons with disabilities where such lifts do not meet the literal requirements of the rules adopted by the board of building standards pursuant to section 4105.011 of the Revised Code, provided that reasonable safety may be obtained.

Last updated March 10, 2023 at 12:28 PM

Section 4105.14 | Seats for use of operator of passenger elevators.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Any person, firm, or corporation operating a passenger elevator shall provide a seat for the use of the operator of such elevator.

Any person, firm, or corporation operating a passenger elevator may regulate the use of such seats by the operator. At no time shall a person operating a passenger elevator be compelled to stand a longer period of time than two consecutive hours in any working day.

Section 4105.15 | Certificate of operation - renewal.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

No certificate of operation for any elevator shall be issued by the director of commerce until such elevator has been inspected as required by this chapter. Certificates of operation shall be renewed by the owner or user of the elevator in accordance with rules adopted by the superintendent of industrial compliance pursuant to section 4105.12 of the Revised Code.

Section 4105.16 | Permit for erection or repair - final inspection.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

Before any new installation of an elevator of permanent nature is erected or before any existing elevator is removed to and installed in a different location, an application of specifications in duplicate shall be submitted to the division of industrial compliance giving such information concerning the construction, installation, and operation of said elevator as the division may require on forms to be furnished by the division, together with complete construction plans in duplicate. In all cases where any changes or repairs are made which alter its construction of classification, grade or rated lifting capacity, except when made pursuant to a report of an inspector, an application of specifications in duplicate shall be submitted to the division, containing such information, or approval, except in those municipal corporations which maintain their own elevator inspection departments, in which event such specifications shall be submitted to the elevator department of the municipal corporation for its approval, and if approved, a permit for the erection or repair of such elevator shall be issued by the municipal corporation. Upon approval of such application and construction plans, the superintendent of industrial compliance shall issue a permit for the erection or repair of such elevator. No new elevator shall be operated until completion in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, unless a temporary permit is granted by the division.

The final inspection, before operation, of a permanent, new or repaired elevator shall be made by a general inspector or a special inspector designated by the superintendent.

Section 4105.17 | Fees.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The fee for each attempted inspection that, due to no fault of a general inspector or the division of industrial compliance, is not successfully completed, by a general inspector before the operation of a permanent new elevator prior to the issuance of a certificate of operation, before operation of an elevator being put back into service after a repair or after an adjudication under section 4105.11 of the Revised Code, or as a result of the operation of section 4105.08 of the Revised Code and is an elevator required to be inspected under this chapter is one hundred twenty dollars plus ten dollars for each floor where the elevator stops.

(B) The fee for each attempted inspection, that due to no fault of the general inspector or the division, is not successfully completed by a general inspector before operation of a permanent new escalator or moving walk prior to the issuance of a certificate of operation, before operation of an escalator or moving walk being put back in service after a repair, or as a result of the operation of section 4105.08 of the Revised Code is three hundred dollars.

(C) The fee for issuing or renewing a certificate of operation under section 4105.15 of the Revised Code for an elevator that is inspected twice every twelve months in accordance with division (A) of section 4105.10 of the Revised Code is two hundred twenty dollars plus twelve dollars for each floor where the elevator stops, except where the elevator has been inspected by a special inspector in accordance with section 4105.07 of the Revised Code.

(D) The fee for issuing or renewing a certificate of operation under section 4105.05 of the Revised Code for an elevator that is inspected every twelve months in accordance with division (A) of section 4105.10 of the Revised Code is fifty-five dollars plus ten dollars for each floor where the elevator stops, except where the elevator has been inspected by a special inspector in accordance with section 4105.07 of the Revised Code.

(E) The fee for issuing or renewing a certificate of operation under section 4105.15 of the Revised Code for an escalator or moving walk is three hundred dollars, except where the escalator or moving walk has been inspected by a special inspector in accordance with section 4105.07 of the Revised Code.

(F) All other fees to be charged for any examination given or other service performed by the division pursuant to this chapter shall be prescribed by the director of commerce. The fees shall be reasonably related to the costs of such examination or other service.

(G) The director of commerce, subject to the approval of the controlling board, may establish fees in excess of the fees provided in divisions (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) of this section. Any moneys collected under this section shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the industrial compliance operating fund created in section 121.084 of the Revised Code.

(H) Any person who fails to pay an inspection fee required for any inspection attempted by the division pursuant to this chapter within forty-five days after the inspection is attempted, or who fails to pay a certificate of operation fee pursuant to this chapter within forty-five days after the certificate's expiration, shall pay a late payment fee equal to twenty-five per cent of the inspection fee.

(I) In addition to the fees assessed in divisions (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) of this section, the board of building standards shall assess a fee of three dollars and twenty-five cents for each certificate of operation or renewal thereof issued under divisions (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) of this section and for each permit issued under section 4105.16 of the Revised Code. The board shall adopt rules, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, specifying the manner by which the superintendent shall collect and remit to the board the fees assessed under this division and requiring that remittance of the fees be made at least quarterly.

(J) The superintendent, by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, may increase the fees required by this section and may establish fees to pay the costs of the division to fulfill its duties established by this chapter. The fees shall bear some reasonable relationship to the cost of administering and enforcing this chapter.

(K) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Escalator" means a power driven, inclined, continuous stairway used for raising or lowering passengers.

(2) "Moving walk" means a passenger carrying device on which passengers stand or walk, with a passenger carrying surface that is uninterrupted and remains parallel to its direction of motion.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 12:35 PM

Section 4105.19 | Applicability of sections.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Sections 4105.01 to 4105.21, inclusive, of the Revised Code do not prevent the inspection of elevators by dealers in elevators or elevator equipment. An inspector by or in behalf of such dealer is not a general or special inspector within such sections.

Such sections do not affect the rights of municipal corporations under section 715.26 of the Revised Code, except as specifically provided in such sections.

Sections 4105.01 to 4105.21, inclusive, of the Revised Code do not apply to municipal corporations authorized by Section 3 of Article XVIII, Ohio Constitution, to adopt police regulations which, after August 31, 1939, provide for the regular inspection of elevators as provided by law.

Section 4105.191 | Owner or operator to file report of elevator accidents.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

Any person owning or operating any elevator subject to this chapter shall file a written report with the superintendent of industrial compliance within seventy-two hours after the occurrence of any accident involving such elevator which results in death or bodily injury to any person.

Section 4105.20 | Prohibited acts - fines.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

No person shall violate any law relative to the operation, construction, maintenance, and repair of elevators. All fines collected for violation of this section shall be forwarded to the superintendent of industrial compliance, who shall pay them into the state treasury to the credit of the industrial compliance operating fund created in section 121.084 of the Revised Code.

Section 4105.21 | Enforcement of chapter - sealing and posting of notice prohibiting use of elevator.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

The superintendent of industrial compliance shall enforce this chapter. If the superintendent or a general inspector of elevators finds that an elevator or a part thereof does not afford reasonable safety as required by section 4105.13 of the Revised Code, the superintendent or the general inspector may seal such elevator and post a notice thereon prohibiting further use of the elevator until the changes or alterations set forth in the notice have been made to the satisfaction of the superintendent or the inspector. The notice shall contain a statement that operators or passengers are subject to injury by its continued use, a description of the alteration or other change necessary to be made in order to secure safety of operation, date of such notice, name and signature of the superintendent or inspector issuing the notice.

Section 4105.30 | Testing performed by licensed personnel [repealed 4/3/2033].

• Effective: April 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 134th General Assembly

(A) It shall be the responsibility of the owner of all conveyances to have an elevator contractor licensed under Chapter 4785. of the Revised Code ensure that the required tests are performed at intervals in compliance with the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Appendix N and ASCE 21. All tests shall be performed by an elevator mechanic licensed under Chapter 4785. of the Revised Code.

(B) As used in this section, "ASME A17.1," "ASCE 21," and "conveyance" have the same meanings as in section 4785.01 of the Revised Code.

Last updated March 21, 2023 at 3:39 PM

Section 4105.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: November 22, 1973
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 589 - 110th General Assembly

Whoever violates section 4105.20 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars, for each subsequent offense such person shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars.