On June 1, 2006, Governor Jeb Bush signed into law House Bill 7121, relating to disaster preparedness response. The relevant portion of this law amends Section 553.509, Florida Statutes, and requires emergency power generation for public elevators located in new and existing residential multifamily dwellings, including condominiums, at least 75 feet in height. The emergency power generated must be sufficient to operate: at least one public elevator, allowing all residents access for an unspecified number of hours each day for a period of five days following the disruption of the normal power supply; any connected fire alarm system which also controls elevator operation; and emergency lighting in specified internal public areas. Alternate power generation may be accomplished through the installation of an appropriately-sized generator and fuel storage or by pre-wiring the elevator and other required systems to accept a generator, along with a contract for supply of a generator and fuel source. Engineering plans must be submitted to the local building inspection agency by December 31, 2006, and full compliance must be achieved by December 31, 2007. Local building inspection and emergency management agencies will be responsible for ensuring that buildings comply with the requirements of this law and building owners, managers, or operators supply the required documentation. A Certified Elevator Inspector (CEI) will annually verify compliance with the quarterly inspection, records maintenance, and generator key requirements or confirm pre-wiring and contract continuation, as specified by law. NEW LAW REQUIRES INSPECTOR VERIFICATION As part of the annual elevator inspection, a CEI will verify compliance with certain requirements of House Bill 7121. CEIs must annually verify that appropriate quarterly inspections were conducted on the generator, the inspections records are available for review, and the generator key is stored in the correct location. If the building owner opts, as allowed by the new law, to pre-wire a generator connection and enter into a contract for delivery of a generator and fuel source, then the CEI will confirm that the pre-wiring is in place and a current contract exists. This verification process will become part of the annual elevator inspection and the information shall be provided to the Bureau of Elevator Safety on the annual elevator inspection report. ANNUAL ELEVATOR INSPECTION REPORT BEING MODIFIED The elevator inspection report is currently being modified to enhance its functionality and to include the compliance verification required by House Bill 7121, as discussed above. The modified elevator inspection report will be available by no later than December 31, 2006, and may be used immediately to begin verifying compliance with the requirements of House Bill 7121. ELEVATOR INSPECTION REPORT SUBMISSION All certified elevator inspectors and registered elevator companies are reminded that, per Florida Statutes, annual elevator inspection reports must be submitted to the Bureau of Elevator Safety within 5 days of the completion of the annual elevator inspection. Elevator inspection reports may be submitted in hard-copy or by electronic submission through the department’s website at www.myfloridalicense.com.