Multi-story salons that provide elevator access must comply with elevator safety regulations, inspection requirements, ADA accessibility standards, and maintenance obligations. Elevator safety is regulated at the state and local level, with most jurisdictions adopting versions of the ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. Regular inspections by state or local elevator inspectors are mandatory, and operating an elevator without a current inspection approval can result in shutdown orders, fines, and liability for injuries. This guide covers elevator compliance for multi-story salon businesses.
Salons located on upper floors of commercial buildings or in multi-story standalone buildings may have elevators that the salon uses, maintains, or shares with other tenants. Understanding who is responsible for elevator compliance, whether the building owner, the property manager, or the tenant, is critical because non-compliance creates serious safety and legal risks.
State elevator safety codes, which typically adopt the ASME A17.1 standard with local amendments, establish requirements for elevator design, installation, operation, maintenance, inspection, and testing. These requirements apply to all types of conveyances including traction elevators, hydraulic elevators, limited-use limited-application elevators, platform lifts, and dumbwaiters.
Periodic inspections are required at intervals specified by state or local law, typically annually or semi-annually. Inspections must be performed by state-licensed elevator inspectors or accredited third-party inspection agencies. The inspection covers safety devices, controls, electrical components, mechanical components, fire service operation, and accessibility features. The inspector issues a report identifying any deficiencies that must be corrected within a specified timeframe. A current inspection approval, often in the form of a posted operating permit, must be displayed in or near the elevator.
Maintenance is required on an ongoing basis, not just at inspection time. Most jurisdictions require that elevators be maintained by qualified elevator technicians under a maintenance contract. The maintenance program must include scheduled preventive maintenance, prompt repair of malfunctions, and documentation of all maintenance activities.
ADA requirements mandate that elevators serving public areas be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Accessible elevators must meet specific requirements for car size, door width, control height and marking, audible and visual signals, and tactile floor indicators. Platform lifts may be used as an alternative to elevators in certain situations but must also meet ADA standards.
Emergency procedures for elevator entrapment, power failure, and fire must be established and communicated to staff. Emergency communication devices in the elevator car must be functional and connect to a monitored station that can dispatch assistance.
Elevator requirements come from state elevator safety codes, the ADA, building codes, and fire codes.
State elevator safety codes based on ASME A17.1 establish comprehensive requirements for the safety of elevators, escalators, and related equipment. Requirements cover design, installation, alteration, repair, maintenance, inspection, and testing. Compliance is verified through periodic inspections by authorized inspectors.
Inspection requirements mandate periodic inspections at intervals specified by state or local law. Category 1 inspections typically include visual inspection and functional testing of safety devices. Category 5 inspections include more comprehensive testing of safety devices under loaded conditions. The building owner or operator must make the elevator available for inspection and correct any identified deficiencies within the specified timeframe.
Maintenance requirements mandate that elevators be maintained in safe operating condition at all times. Maintenance must be performed by qualified elevator mechanics. A written maintenance control program must be in place, documenting scheduled maintenance procedures and frequencies. Maintenance records must be maintained on-site and available for inspection.
ADA accessibility standards under the ADA Standards for Accessible Design specify requirements for elevator accessibility including minimum car dimensions, door opening width, control panel height and layout, visual and audible signals, Braille and raised character markings, and emergency communication devices.
Fire service requirements mandate that elevators in buildings with fire alarm systems include firefighters' emergency operation, which allows firefighters to control elevator movement during emergencies. Phase I recall automatically returns the elevator to the designated landing when a fire alarm activates. Phase II operation allows firefighters to control the elevator from within the car.
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Building safety including elevator compliance reflects the facility standards that the MmowW assessment evaluates. Salons in multi-story buildings must ensure elevator safety as part of comprehensive compliance.
Determine whether your salon building has an elevator and whether the salon uses or is responsible for it. Check for a current inspection approval posted in or near the elevator. Verify that the elevator has a current maintenance contract with a qualified service provider. Check that the emergency communication device in the elevator car is functional. Review your lease to determine responsibility for elevator maintenance, inspection, and compliance.
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Try it free →Step 1: Determine Responsibility
Review your lease agreement to determine who is responsible for elevator maintenance, inspection, and compliance. In most multi-tenant buildings, the building owner or property manager is responsible for elevator compliance. In standalone salon buildings, the salon owner may be directly responsible. Regardless of lease terms, confirm that the responsible party is meeting their obligations.
Step 2: Verify Current Inspection Status
Check that the elevator has a current operating permit or inspection approval displayed as required by your jurisdiction. Obtain a copy of the most recent inspection report and review it for any outstanding deficiencies. If deficiencies were identified, verify that corrections have been completed within the required timeframe.
Step 3: Confirm Maintenance Program
Verify that a written maintenance control program is in place and that a qualified elevator service company is performing scheduled maintenance. Review maintenance records for the past year to confirm that maintenance has been performed at the required frequency. Check that any malfunctions or service calls have been promptly addressed and documented.
Step 4: Test Emergency Systems
Test the emergency communication device in the elevator car to confirm that it connects to a monitored station that can dispatch assistance. The device should function without the use of a telephone handset to be accessible to individuals who cannot use a handset. Verify that fire service operation functions correctly. Test the emergency lighting in the elevator car.
Step 5: Verify ADA Compliance
Assess the elevator for ADA accessibility. Check car size, door width, control panel height and marking, visual and audible signals, Braille markings, and emergency communication accessibility. If the elevator does not meet current ADA standards, consult with an accessibility professional to determine what modifications are required and when they must be made.
Step 6: Establish Staff Procedures
Develop procedures for staff to follow in the event of an elevator malfunction, entrapment, or emergency. Train staff on how to communicate with trapped passengers, how to contact emergency services, and how to use the fire service operation if authorized. Post emergency contact information near the elevator. Never attempt to manually open elevator doors or override safety devices unless trained and authorized.
In most commercial leases, the building owner or landlord is responsible for elevator compliance, including inspections, maintenance, permits, and ADA accessibility. The elevator is typically part of the building's common systems, similar to the roof, foundation, and main building systems. However, lease terms vary, and some leases may shift certain responsibilities to tenants, particularly in single-tenant buildings or net leases. Regardless of the lease allocation, the building occupant should verify that the elevator is properly maintained and inspected because a non-compliant elevator creates safety risks for the salon's clients, staff, and visitors. If you discover that the elevator lacks a current inspection approval or has outstanding safety deficiencies, notify the landlord in writing immediately and document your communication. If the landlord fails to address the issue, you may need to contact the local elevator safety authority to report the non-compliance.
The ADA does not universally require all buildings to have elevators. For new construction, the ADA Standards for Accessible Design generally require elevators in buildings with three or more stories or with more than 3,000 square feet per story, unless the building qualifies for a specific exemption. A two-story building with less than 3,000 square feet per story may be exempt from the elevator requirement in new construction, though the ground floor must be fully accessible. For existing buildings, the ADA requires removal of architectural barriers where readily achievable, which is a lower standard that considers the cost and feasibility of modifications. If an elevator already exists in the building, it must meet accessibility standards. If you are selecting a location for a new salon, choosing an accessible building or a ground-floor location eliminates elevator-related accessibility requirements.
If a person is trapped in the elevator, staff should remain calm and communicate with the trapped person through the elevator door. Assure them that help is being contacted. Activate the elevator emergency communication device if it has not been activated from inside the car. Contact the elevator service company using the emergency phone number posted near the elevator. If the trapped person reports a medical emergency, also call emergency services. Do not attempt to pry open elevator doors, override safety interlocks, or assist the person in climbing out of the car, as these actions create serious risks of falls and other injuries. Keep the area around the elevator clear for emergency responders. Document the incident including the time of the entrapment, the time help was contacted, the time the person was released, and any injuries or complaints. Report the incident to the building management and the elevator service company for investigation and corrective action.
Elevator compliance protects everyone who uses your building. Evaluate your salon's facility standards with the free hygiene assessment tool and verify your elevator compliance using this guide. For comprehensive salon compliance management, visit MmowW Shampoo. 安全で、愛される。 Loved for Safety.
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