Elevator Program

Per American Society of Mechanical Engineers Safety Code for Elevator and Escalators (ASME A17.1), elevator work classified as an alteration shall require a permit and inspection; this includes work to install, repair, modernize, replace, remove, decommission and recommission: Elevators, temporary construction use, escalators, lifts, hoists, and dumbwaiters.

• Per ASME A17.1-8.6 OR 8.10, elevator work necessitating a test to be performed to put the unit/device into service and where the testing is not classified as part of the repair or replacement per A17.1-8.6 shall require a permit and inspection.
• Change of information for the equipment: elevators, escalators, conveyors, lifts, and dumbwaiters. This includes but is not limited to address, capacity, landings etc.
• Any changes to the plans after permit issuance will require revisions to the permit application or to the approved plan set. If the changes result in alterations to an associated building permit, revisions to plans should be submitted under the Elevator/Parent Building Permit.
• All work is subject to the currently enforced edition of the Virginia Construction Code and referenced standard ASME A17.1 and an inspection will be required.

A valid Virginia State Contractor's License with an appropriate designation from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation is required for all scopes of work. A state licensed contractor must possess at least one of the below specialties to install, modernize or repa­­­ir a conveyance system in Fairfax County:

• EEC - Elevator, Escalator Contracting: For both commercial/residential installation and modernization of elevators, escalators, vertical platform lifts or wheelchair lifts, dumbwaiters, temporary construction lifts (men & material/just material).
   
• EMC - Equipment/Machinery Contracting: For temporary construction lifts (personnel & material or just material lifts).
   
• ASC - Accessibility Services Contracting:  Limited-Use Limited Application elevators, private residence elevators, wheelchair lifts, incline chairlifts, or dumbwaiters.

 The Virginia Maintenance Code requires all vertical transportation to have a valid/current certificate posted at all times per county policy. Elevator inspections are documented by an inspection report which fulfills the requirement of the Virginia Maintenance Code. Fairfax County has the authority to issue a Notice of Violation and remove the equipment from service for the safety of Fairfax County residents and visitors.

Any violations noted in your periodic (six month) inspection will show in your annual inspection. If the items are still unaddressed at that time, your equipment will not pass its annual inspection and will require a re-inspection with associated fees.

Any violations noted in your annual inspection shall require a re-inspection within forty days as noted on the inspection report. Associated re-inspection fees shall be assessed for a failed result. Should a reinspection not be scheduled and completed by the time your periodic (six month) inspection occurs, your equipment will fail its periodic inspection with associated fees assessed.