Elevators, Escalators and Related Equipment Safety and Licensing
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News and Updates
On The Level - July 2023 Edition
July 7, 2023
Articles in the July 2023 edition of TDLR On The Level include:
- Legislative Update
- Texas Accessibility Academy Update
- 2023 NEC Is Almost Here
- Legislation Creates Mold Advisory Board
Continuing Education Requirements
October 25, 2021
HB 1560, the Sunset legislation for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, repealed Health and Safety Code §754.0174 from the Elevators / Escalators Safety statute, and transferred authority regarding the continuing education requirements to TDLR’s enabling statute, Chapter 51 of the Texas Occupations Code.
Please note that no changes were made, and Elevator Contractor Responsible Parties are still required to obtain continuing education (CE) credits as specified in the program rules.
Expiration of Temporary Suspension of Expedited Plan Review Fees for Equipment Located in Imelda-Affected Counties
May 24, 2021
In the wake of Tropical Storm Imelda in September 2019, TDLR began offering expedited alteration plan reviews without the usual expedited fees. Thanks to coordinated efforts between Texas building owners and TDLR-licensed Elevator Contractors, we were able to help ease the burden and ensure damaged or submerged equipment could be quickly assessed by a TDLR-licensed Elevator Contractor and inspected by a TDLR-licensed Elevator Inspector prior to being placed back into operation.
TDLR staff reports that incoming alteration plan reviews from those counties affected by Imelda are no longer being designated as recovery work. Therefore, TDLR is ending the suspension of the expedited plan review fee effective June 1, 2021.
TDLR would like to thank Texas building owners and our licensed Elevator Contractors and Elevator Inspectors for a job well done. It’s teamwork like this that helps ensure public health and safety.
COVID-19: Elevator Inspection Requirements Temporarily Suspended
March 26, 2020
To help combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, TDLR requested and received authority from Governor Greg Abbott to suspend certain regulatory requirements statewide, including the following:
- Inspection requirements are temporarily suspended for elevators with permits that expire in March, April and May 2020. TDLR investigators will respond in case of an accident or emergency. (§754.019, Health and Safety Code)
Please check the TDLR COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Inspector Image Portal No Longer Available
November 7, 2019
Effective November 11, 2019, elevator, escalator and boiler inspectors and members of the public may access elevator, escalator, and boiler inspection reports and related documents using the search feature on the TDLR website. The Inspector Image Portal is no longer available.
- Elevator Search: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/Elevator_SearchApp
- Boiler Search: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/Boilerdata/
If you are unable to locate a document, please submit a request for that document to the TDLR Records Center
JPS Hospital Elevator Investigation Report
May 8, 2019
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation investigated an elevator accident that occurred at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday, January 20, 2019. The report is online.
Safety Alert - Required Maintenance for Elevator Drum Brakes
May 7, 2019
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) issues this safety alert to all building owners and elevator contractors regarding the need for routine elevator maintenance, particularly for elevators with drum brakes.
The maintenance schedule for drum brakes is different from the maintenance schedule for more modern disc brakes. Failure to test, inspect, lubricate, or break down drum brakes as required by the manufacturer based on usage, and/or any delay in replacing worn or damaged components of the braking system, could lead to brake failure and serious harm to riders.
Although some older elevators with drum brakes may have been retrofitted with a secondary braking system, proper drum brake maintenance is still required to ensure that the elevator’s primary braking system functions as designed.
In the interest of public safety, TDLR urges all building owners and contractors to discuss this safety alert to ensure that proper maintenance of drum brakes is occurring as required.
While licensed elevator contractors must have the necessary technical expertise to maintain and repair elevators, escalators, and related equipment, the building owner is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws, rules, codes, and maintenance standards.
Advisory Board Meetings
Previous Meeting - August 22, 2018
The Elevator Advisory Board met August 22, in Austin. The agenda and staff reports (PDF) are available online. The meeting was archived and is available on TDLR's YouTube channel.
Questions? Contact TDLR at 800-803-9202 or email customer service.