Elevators, Escalators and Related Equipment Safety and Licensing

Here are the public comments on general topics received during the 2012 Strategic Planning process. The comments are grouped as answers to the four questions we based our discussions on.

1. What are we doing well?
2. What can we do better?
3. If you could change one service that we provide or eliminate or amend any provision of TDLR’s statutes or rules, what would it be?
4. What major changes will occur over the next five years that will impact the way you do business and the services we provide?

Read the comments (48 kb PDF) To see the comments for each individual license program, go to that program's section on the web site.

TDLR proposes the repeal of existing elevator rules and proposes new rules regarding the safety standards for elevators, escalators, and related equipment. The proposed rules are necessary to implement House Bill (HB) 2643, 82nd Legislature, Regular Session (2011), which amended Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 754, relating to the safety standards for elevators, escalators, and related equipment. The proposed repeal and new rules were published in the April 13, 2012, issue of the Texas Register (37 TexReg 2489). The Department will accept comments on the proposal until May 14, 2012. The Department encourages all persons interested in the Elevator, Escalators, or Related Equipment program to review the rule proposal and submit comments. Comments may be submitted electronically to erule.comments@license.state.tx.us.

The Elevator Advisory Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 16 at 1:00 p.m. in the 1st Floor Public Meeting Room of TDLR's North Campus Building, located at 1106 Clayton Lane in Austin. The agenda is available online. The meeting will be broadcast live and available for viewing via RealPlayer.

As of December 1, 2011, passenger elevators in Texas must meet the safety standard requirements set out in Chapter 754 of the Health and Safety Code. Any passenger elevator without door restrictors or found to have non-working door restrictors after December 1 will immediately be removed from service. The elevator will not be placed back into service until it is inspected and all required safety features are verified by a registered elevator inspector. 

TDLR is now accepting online payment for administrative penalties.

New Technical Memo 12-01-11, Elevator Door Restrictors, has been published.

New Technical Memo 10-10-11, Escalator / Moving Walk Step Removal has been published.

New Technology Variance 11-01, Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator, has been published.

All elevators subject to door restrictor requirements must have the door restrictor installed and inspected as of September 1, 2010.

All elevators subject to firefighters’ service operations requirements must have the service installed and inspected no later than September 1, 2012. To take advantage of the delay building owners must file an application for delay and pay all required fees to TDLR. The waiver / delay application is available online.

The Elevator Equipment Report of Inspection Form has been revised. Old forms should be replaced. Download the revised form

All Elevator Owners now must post Inspection Certificates

Watch TDLR's elevator door restrictor video on YouTube.