State Mandated Uniform Elevator Keys As of October 1 Is a Matter of Life or Death

“I have had a number of complaints from my clients that the state is unnecessarily mandating uniform elevator keys simply for a convenience factor and they don’t want to pay the cost to comply,” says 35-year elevator veteran and owner of Eagle Elevator, Russell Renick. “And I respectfully educate my clients on the importance of the uniform elevator key because it allows fire fighters to quickly gain control of the elevators and save lives in emergency situations. Imagine a scenario where firefighters could not gain control. It could be a nightmare where occupants are trapped in a burning building and the outcome is fatal. The cost of implementing the uniform elevator key is minimal compared to the potential consequences of not complying.” states Renick.

As of October 1, under the Uniform Fire Key standard, Chapter 399 Florida Statutes requires one single key to operate all of the fire service key switches in the elevator lobby panels and car panels. Master elevator keys may be issued only to the fire department and the key may not be duplicated. The Regional Emergency Elevator Access, Section 399.15, Section 17 requires all buildings with six or more stories to comply. If it is technically, financially, or physically impossible to comply, then the local fire marshal may allow substitute emergency measures.

The Division of State Fire Marshal of the Department of Financial Services enforces this section. Any person not complying with the requirements may be subject to a fine of $1,000, in addition to any other penalty provided by law. “It is not worth the headache, code violations, fees and penalties not to comply, especially when the cost to implement the uniform key systems starts at $1,000,” states Renick, owner and operator of Eagle Elevator, who has upgraded thousands of elevators to comply with state requirements. “I think most people would agree this is a minimal cost as a precaution to save lives and should also be implemented for elevators under six stories even though it is not mandated.”

Eagle Elevator has a full staff of experienced administrative and industry professionals in order to offer you the best products and service at prices 20 percent less than the major competitors. Eagle Elevator has extensive commercial and residential experience for: 1. New Installations / Renovations for all Makes and Models (Passenger / Freight, Remodels / Hydraulic Cylinders); 2. Refittings; 3. Maintenance / Repairs (Same Day Response, Service Agreements with 30-day cancellation notice); 4. Annual and Full-load Testing; and 5. Professional Consultation via a FREE survey. Eagle Elevator is a DBE-, SBE- and WBE-certified company.

For Uniform Elevator Keys and other elevator related needs, contact Eagle Elevator at (954) 351-0440 or http://www.eagleelevator.us.

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Debbie Danto

Director of Business Development

Eagle Elevator

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