Sponsored by:
Senator BRIAN P. STACK
District 33 (Hudson)
Senator ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Requires elevators be equipped to operate with standardized fire service keys; concerns fire service key lock boxes.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning standardized elevator fire service keys and amending P.L.2003, c.211.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2003, c.211 (C.52:27D-198.13) is amended to read as follows:
1. Not later than six months following the effective date of [P.L.2003, c.211 (C.52:27D-198.13 et seq.)] P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the Commissioner of Community Affairs shall promulgate regulations requiring all [new] elevators [, and all elevators undergoing reconstruction,] to be equipped to operate with standardized fire service keys, including but not limited to fire recall keys and fire department drop keys, as a condition of inspection certification renewals.
(cf: P.L.2003, c.211, s.1)
2. Section 2 of P.L.2003, c.211 (C.52:27D-198.14) is amended to read as follows:
2. a. A municipality, by ordinance, may require the installation of a lock box in each building located in the municipality that has an elevator. A building's elevator fire service keys, including but not limited to fire recall keys and fire department drop keys, shall be placed in the lock box. Lock boxes shall be installed at locations that are readily accessible to fire fighting officials. A building that has elevators with standardized fire service keys, including but not limited to fire recall keys and fire department drop keys, in accordance with section 1 of P.L.2003, c.211 (C.52:27D-198.13), shall be exempt from [this] the provisions of this section.
b. Not later than the last day of the sixth month following the effective date of [P.L.2003, c.211 (C.52:27D-198.13 et seq.)] P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the Commissioner of Community Affairs shall promulgate regulations establishing specifications for elevator [fire recall] fire service key lock boxes.
(cf: P.L.2003, c.211, s.2)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to promulgate regulations requiring all elevators to be equipped to operate with standardized fire service keys, including but not limited to fire recall keys and fire department drop keys, as a condition of inspection certification renewals. The bill expands on current requirements that have been applicable to new and reconstructed elevators since the enactment of a 2003 law.
The bill also specifies that if a municipality requires the installation of a lock box in each building located in the municipality that has an elevator, a building's elevator fire service keys, including but not limited to fire recall keys and fire department drop keys, are to be placed in the lock box. However, a building that has elevators with standardized fire service keys, including but not limited to fire recall keys and fire department drop keys, is exempt. The bill further directs the commissioner to promulgate regulations establishing specifications for elevator fire service key lock boxes.