NYC Elevator Violations Resolution and Management
New York City Department of Buildings (NYC DOB) requires that a yearly Category 1 (CAT1) and Category 5 (CAT5) inspection test or report be submitted within 60 days of an inspection performed by a certified testing agent. If your building or elevator inspection provider fails to submit an inspection or test report within 60 days of the inspection, your building could receive a violation from NYC DOB. These fines can be as much as $5000/elevator, and late filing can result in fees of $250/month/elevator for a cat 5 report. Failure to perform and report a cat 1 inspection can result in fines as high as $3000/elevator with a late filing fee of $150/per month/elevator.
Fines can be issued for failure to perform or submit a test report for the following testing types:
- Category 1 - No-load safety test performed yearly between January 1 to December 31 on each elevator in service
- Category 3 - Inspection and test performed every three years on hydraulic water elevators. This type of elevator is rare and most were removed from service by 1999.
- Category 5 - Full load and speed inspection test, performed every five years. This test is required at the end of the last month it was performed. For example, if it was last tested in June of 2020, it must be tested by or before the end of June 2025.
Fines can also be issued for the following issues:
- Past-due fire extinguishers in an elevator machine room
- Incorrectly functioning emergency telephone in an elevator
- Inoperable or defective door restrictors (causing elevators to open between floors)
- Hoist cables that are worn or defective
- Inoperable or defective elevator brake assembly
Navigating the web of NYC DOB Elevator Violations can be an arduous task for anyone not well-versed in the process. Fortunately, TEI's team of highly qualified and certified technicians is prepared to help resolve your violations by making the appropriate elevator repairs and performing testing.
More importantly, the Elevator Violations team has the knowledge and experience to help navigate the NYC DOB system and have your violations officially resolved and removed from the city's public records by filing the requisite Affirmation of Corrections. Our team can even help to reduce or eliminate fines or penalties associated with the violations.
