2. What is NAC455C?
NAC 455C:
Is the Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 455C, which
pertains to the safety of Boilers and Elevators in the state
of Nevada (how they are installed, repaired, maintained,
licensed and inspected).
The NAC is made law by acts of the Nevada State
Legislature through the NRS (Nevada Revised Statutes), in
this case: NRS 455C.
On January 16, 2015 the NRS was officially amended to
(among other changes) provide for the elimination of
annual inspections by State Employed Inspectors in favor
of 3rd Party Inspectors.
(See http://dirweb.state.nv.us/OSHA/docs/LCB-R077-14-Adopted.pdf for specific changes)
3. So How Does it Affect You?
Awareness:
For most building owners and management
companies, the new requirements have been met with
complete shock. In some cases the state has actually
delivered an NOV (Notice Of Violation), along with a
list of Authorized Inspection Agencies, to the
property informing them that their elevator operating
permits are expired and they are obligated to hire an
AIA company to renew their permits. It is because of
this that we have prepared this short presentation to
inform you of your obligations and expectations.
4. So How Does it Affect You? (continued)
Financial
Just as no two buildings are exactly alike, so too are no inspections
exactly alike. Prior to the new regulations, and depending on the type of
elevator maintenance contract you have/had, your elevator maintenance
company would have notified the state that they would be testing certain
aspects of your equipment (safeties on a traction, relief valves on a
hydraulic). In some cases this testing was included as part of the
maintenance contract. If the state had the resources they might send an
inspector to witness, if not, the elevator company would attach a tag to
the equipment showing the date of testing. When the state inspector
made the annual inspection the tags were verified and if no other
conditions existed, the operating permits were invoiced and provided to
you. After July 1, 2015 ALL testing must be witnessed by a Special
Inspector employed by an AIA company. Furthermore, ALL annual
inspections for re-newel of operating permits also must be done by
Special Inspectors.
5. So How Does It Affect You?
Witnessing
As of July 1, 2015, ALL testing and annual inspections must be witnessed
and certified by special inspectors. So what are the tests?
Category 1
These are tests on certain safety devices that are not normally engaged in
the normal operation of an elevator or escalator. The testing is normally low
impacting, testing only the device’s reaction without a rated load.
Category 3
These tests only apply to certain types of hydraulic units utilizing water as a
pressure medium or certain pressure tanks which are rarely seen or used.
Category 5
These are the most rigorous of all testing, requiring the testing of safety
devices with the rated load at greater than rated speed.
Annual Inspection
Inspections that are required to verify the normal operation of the units,
conditions of ropes and equipment.
6. Associated Costs
As stated in a previous slide, some elevator maintenance contracts include testing.
You should review the details of your contract. Because ALL tests must be
witnessed, units (elevators) tagged before July 1, 2015 do not need to be tested as
long as the testing is less than 1 year prior to the annual inspection. As of today, any
unit that is due for an annual inspection and either Category 1, 3, or 5 tests should
be done simultaneously for cost effectiveness.
For example: The operating permit expires October 15, 2015 and the last Category
1 (test required every year) was performed and tagged November 3, 2014. The unit
as inspected would pass prior to November 2. However, if any issues are found the
date for compliance would overlap the last tagged date and the state could issue an
NOV to have testing done. OR… The state during record review could find that the
testing date has elapsed and may issue an NOV to comply. As this would require
witnessing by a special inspector costs may have just doubled.
The costs? For the elevator maintenance company that is dependent upon the
scope and terms of your contract with them. For the AIA it is market cost, the state
has imposed limits on what AIA companies can charge. For operating permits the
cost has increased from $20 to $200 per unit which is invoiced directly from the
state.
Needless to say, the costs over the prior year are significant.
7. How We Can Help
TÜV SÜD is one of the oldest and most respected names in
the world. With offices around the globe in every major
market and a reputation second to none in the fields of
industrial and construction testing and certification.
We having pricing to fit your needs and budgets, we can
charge hourly rates, but we also offer upfront and inclusive
pricing. So you know what the costs are before we walk in
or out your door.
Our inspectors have the industry experience and credentials
to assure your inspections are done right and within budget.
Choose US….. Choose Certainty…. Add Value
