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Land Development Services

Fairfax County, Virginia

CONTACT INFORMATION: Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Permitting Business Hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (M-Th), 9:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. (F)

703-324-1780
TTY 711

Email Us

12055 Government Center Pkwy
Fairfax, VA 22035

Bill Hicks,
Director

Department Resources

Elevators and Vertical Transportation Equipment

Hoist going up a building under construction
chair lift moving up a flight of stairs
moving walk
dumbwaiter on wall
Elevator
Escalator
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Vertical transportation, not only vertical but also horizontal, is a means of travel, transporting people and or freight in and outside of buildings. There are approximately 6200 vertical transportation equipment in Fairfax County. This equipment refers to elevators, lifts, escalators, dumbwaiters, hoists, and moving walks.

 

Permits

Do I need a permit?

  • Per 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.
  • 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 equipment information for elevators, escalators, conveyors, lifts, and dumbwaiters. This includes but is not limited to address, capacity, landings etc.

All work is subject to the current edition of the Virginia Construction Code and referenced standard ASME A17.1 and an inspection will be required.

What to Submit for Permit Application

Valid contractor's license with an EEC and other appropriate designations from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation needed for all scopes of work.

  • Completed permit application
  • Fairfax County Business License
  • Scope of work
  • Building layout (identifying equipment location)
  • Elevator drawings
  • Building name and address on each page of drawings
  • Drawing need seal and original signature according to sealed documents list
  • Drawing minimum scale 1/8 inch = 1 foot

Electrical wiring diagrams not needed for review shall be at the jobsite for inspections.

All the above required for hoists, in addition a sealed letter from the building design professional is required. Hoists are permitted for a duration of 30 days.

Permit Application and Inspection Process

STEP 1) Permit application submitted online, allow 10 business days for processing.

STEP 2) Check status online while plans are under review.

STEP 3) Upon approval, the applicant shall pay any outstanding fees via online and notify elevators that fees have been paid; once confirmed by county staff, the permit and approved plans will be returned to the applicant electronically.

STEP 4) Applicant shall print the permit/approved plans and have them onsite prior to work commencing, failure to have permits and plans onsite shall result in fines and/or failed inspections.

STEP 5) Following commencement of work performed, the owner/owner agent/maintenance representative shall call ATIS to schedule inspection. Equipment returned to service prior to inspection shall result in fines and/or legal consequences. Performed work shall be “Inspection Ready” at the time of inspection; if not, the result will be failed and re-inspection fees will apply.

STEP 6) All inspection results are sent electronically to the Owner Agent’s email on file and the Owner’s physical address via USPS within one business day. Inspection results can be requested by emailing Elevator@fairfaxcounty.gov or calling 703-631-5101.

Fast Tracked Permit Review Process

Most permit applications are processed within a 10-15 day review period. However, certain select scopes of work may qualify for a faster review process which can be done within 48 hours*.

  • Escalator Handrail Replacement
  • Electric Drive Replacement
  • Door Reopening Device Replacement
  • Hydraulic Valve Replacement
  • Suspension Means Replacement
  • Governor Rope Replacement
  • Cartop Handrails
  • Buffer Replacement
  • Step replacement
  • Drive Chain Replacement
  • Escalator Brake Replacement
  • Skirt Obstruction Device Replacement
  • Comb-Impact Switch Replacement
  • Demolition
  • Decommission
  • Temporary Construction Use

*48 Hours is subject to staffing and workloads, as well as completeness of submission package.

Inspections

Overview

New and existing vertical transportation equipment are subject to annual and or periodic inspections as described below.

Periodic Inspections

Six months from the equipment’s diary month, Fairfax County will conduct a visual periodic inspection.

  • Should any life safety violations be witnessed, the inspection will fail and the owner must correct the violations within 30 days and call for re-inspection.
  • If only non-life safety violations are found, the inspector will note them on the inspection report. The owner shall correct those violations prior to their Annual Inspection. Should the noted non-life safety violations not be corrected, the Annual Inspection will fail re-inspection fees and require a re-inspection within 30 days.

Annual Inspections

Prior to the expiration date of the Certificate of Inspections, an annual inspection with ATIS at 703-543-9966, TTY 711, or via email. The owner’s agent or property manager must be present during inspection.

  • If passed, a new Certificate of Inspections will be issued to you after all outstanding inspection fees have been paid.  You can find your updated certificate by address or equipment ID.
  • If failed, the violations listed on the inspection report must be corrected; see Violations below.

Failure to schedule an inspection will result in fines and/or a mandatory removal of service for the elevator.

Accidents

When an accident occurs, the affected elevator must be removed from service immediately.  Contact the county at 855-511-2847, TTY 711, to report the time, date and description of accident; address and elevator number and contact information. A county inspection will be performed at which time the affected equipment can go back into service if no violations are found.

Violations

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 system will not pass the annual inspection and will require a re-inspection with associated fees.

Change of Owner/Agent

It is the responsibility of the current property owner to inform the county of a change in ownership or designated agent (responsible party). Failure to update this information can result in fines.   Submit owner/agent changes.

Elevator Round Table Discussions

Are you a representative of an elevator maintenance or installation company?  If yes, then we want you!  These round table discussions have been created to open the lines of communication between the Fairfax County Elevator Program Team and Elevator Industry.

Upcoming Discussions:

March 11, 2020
June 17, 2020
Sept. 16, 2020
Dec. 16, 2020

If you are interested, please submit your information below.  Upon receipt of your contact information, you will receive a meeting invite to the next discussion.

Name:
Company:

 

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ATIS Elevator Inspections, LLC

Plan review and inspections for new and existing elevators are conducted for Fairfax County by ATIS Elevator Inspections, LLC. Contact them at 703-543-9966, TTY 711, or email.

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