Testing Fees
Fees for the elevator maintenance company to perform a CAT 1 and CAT 5 may be covered in the association’s maintenance agreement. FAID testing most likely is not covered as this is a relatively newer requirement. Not typically covered are the fees charged by inspection companies to witness testing. Additionally, the inspection company will usually charge the building directly for the annual inspection to renew the elevator’s certificate.
Testing fees continue to rise in part because there is a shortage of inspectors. Prior to mandating the FAID test, an inspector would usually budget an hour for a CAT1 test on a hydraulic car. Most inspection companies now budget an additional hour for a FAID. This means the number of hydraulic elevators which could be inspected in a day has fallen from 8 to 4 though the number of elevators needing inspection has not changed.
Another component to rising fees has been the implementation of FAID. Elevator companies have had to change their processes to accommodate this new item in the testing mix. Understanding how the designated AHJ interprets the new requirement has also been challenging at times. For example, though a successful FAID is not required until the end of this year, some companies have failed the elevator’s CAT1 test if the FAID fails (instead of failing FAID and passing the CAT1). This affects the building’s ability to renew the elevator’s certificate.
Why Is There So Much Testing?
As the code evolves and life safety issues are identified, those features evolve to protect the riding public. As more of these features are implemented, there needs to be ways to guarantee the elevator reacts as it was designed to in the event of an emergency. The focus is always to deliver passengers to safety.
As community association managers and board members continue to act as the heroes of the buildings they serve, an elevator company’s support behind the scenes is invaluable. Alfred and Pepper Potts aren’t in it for the glory, but rather to help the heroes shine. Elevator testing and compliance can be tricky subjects to navigate. Yes, there are a lot of questions; yes, there is a lot of confusion; and yes, it can be costly. Working with a great elevator maintenance provider will ensure you are not assimilated in Thanos’ Blink and that you will survive to fight another day.
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