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As a property owner, you juggle countless responsibilities to ensure your home is well-maintained and safe. Among these tasks, the upkeep and compliance of your residential elevator might not always be top-of-mind, but it's a critical element you simply cannot afford to overlook.

Ignoring elevator code compliance isn't just a minor oversight; it's a significant gamble with potentially severe consequences.

This guide aims to distill the complexities of code compliance, explaining everything you need to know about elevator safety codes in North and South Carolina.

Why Elevator Code Compliance is Non-Negotiable

Protecting Occupants: The safety of your home residents and visitors is without a doubt the highest priority. Elevator codes exist for a reason: to prevent potential accidents and injuries.

Avoiding Legal Penalties & Ramifications: Depending on your state, failing to meet all the required codes during an inspection can result in fines, elevator shutdowns, and cease-and-desist orders. Additionally, if an accident occurs because your elevator is not up to code, you may be held liable for any injuries sustained by family members or guests.

Insurance Implications: If you neglect to properly maintain your elevator, your homeowner's insurance policies may be voided, which can put you in a pickle if you ever need to make a claim. Plus, insurance providers may issue higher premiums for your non-compliance.

Home Value & Safety: There are just a few things family members and guests expect when they visit your home. This includes (but is not limited to) a welcoming atmosphere, clean facilities, and a safe, functioning elevator that provides reliable access between floors.

Understanding Elevator Codes: The Basics

Who Sets the Codes?

At a minimum, every elevator in the United States must fulfill the standards set by the ASME A17.1-2022 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. In addition to the robust requirements established by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), elevator owners must also comply with specific state and local regulations.

Key Areas Covered by Codes

Elevator safety codes typically cover the following categories:

• Design & installation
• Maintenance requirements
• Inspection schedules
• Emergency features (communication systems, alarm buttons, etc.)
• Fire safety & evacuation elements (fire-rated doors, automatic recall systems, evacuation instructions and signage, etc.)
• Accessibility features

How Often Are Residential Elevators Inspected?

While elevator inspection requirements vary across different states, counties and municipalities, these are the general inspection guidelines for Alchemy Elevator's regions of service:

North Carolina

North Carolina residential elevators are subject to annual inspections, per House Bill 619, which was enacted in 2021. Through this bill, any homes rented for 15 or more days in a year must be inspected annually. Additionally, when an elevator is installed or altered it must be inspected by the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL).

South Carolina

In South Carolina, residential elevators are not required to be inspected in a particular time frame. While ongoing annual inspections aren't mandated, residential elevator owners must ensure their elevators meet safety standards. Non-compliance can result in Class 2 misdemeanor charges.

Common Code Violations & How to Avoid Them

Inexperienced elevator technicians don't always have a strong grasp of all the essential national and local codes. Save yourself a headache down the road—make sure you hire a certified technician with the proper regulatory know-how.

Neglecting Regular Maintenance and Inspections

Routine maintenance is about more than just keeping your elevator fully operational. Good technicians will spend time during inspections to check all elevator components against all the relevant compliance standards.

Outdated Safety Features

As elevator technology evolves, so do the safety codes. In fact, ASME A17 was updated in 2022 to incorporate new standards pertaining to cybersecurity, remote communications, testing, door position monitoring, and more!

Improper Record Keeping

If safety inspectors ever audit your elevator system, you will need to produce clear, detailed documentation of all the repairs, inspections, and maintenance performed on your system. Without documentation, you may be fined simply because you can't prove you've kept everything up to code.

Ignoring Minor Issues

Want to avoid a big compliance conundrum at all costs? Ditch the "If it's working, it's fine" mentality. Even when your elevator seems to be functioning properly, there could be a small problem festering that could snowball into a major compliance issue.

Lack of ADA Compliance

Homeowners haven't always considered prioritizing accessibility in elevator design, but we strongly recommend incorporating ADA-compliant features. Elements like Braille signage, audible signals, sufficient door opening and closing times, and appropriate button heights may not be legally required in residential settings, but they create a more inclusive and future-proof home environment that can accommodate family members, guests, or future residents with disabilities.

Essential Steps for Keeping Your Elevator Up to Code

Partner with a Reputable Elevator Service Provider

Choose your elevator company wisely. You'll want to find someone—like Alchemy Elevator—who is licensed, certified, and experienced with your elevator style and specific geographic location.

Establish a Proactive Maintenance Schedule

Preventative maintenance is always better than emergency repairs. Residential elevators should be inspected at least once a year. This is the best way to pinpoint and address small issues before they escalate.

Stay Informed About Code Changes

Since safety codes change on a semi-regular basis, you need to keep abreast of any relevant regulation updates. But let's be honest—most homeowners don't have the time to dig into government documents. A more likely scenario would be for you to find a service provider you can depend on for timely reminders and guidance.

Budget for Modernization and Upgrades

A residential elevator is not a one-time expense. Depending on the amount of usage, certain system components will need to be replaced on a routine basis. And it's always best to be prepared for when new innovative elevator technology becomes standard.

Conduct Regular Internal Checks

Your technician shouldn't be the only one keeping tabs on your elevator's operation. Stay ahead of potential problems by performing frequent visual inspections and asking visitors to report abnormalities immediately.

Maintain Accessible Records

Keep digital AND physical copies of all elevator-related documents. This includes maintenance logs, repair and replacement records, problem reports, inspection reports, test certificates, permits, your certificate of operation, ADA records, and the specific elevator codes adopted.