Elevator Safety Program

ASME A17.1

  1. 07/01/2024 Implementation of ASME A17.1 (2022)

The Kansas State Fire Marshal (KSFM) provides administrative assistance, education, training and awareness within the State of Kansas to ensure public safety when operating an elevator.

Elevator means any device for lifting people or moving people, cargo, or freight within, or adjacent and connected to a structure or excavation, and includes any escalator, power driven stairway, moving walkway or stairway chair lift.

The term "elevator" does not include: any amusement device, mining, equipment subject to regulation, boiler grate stoker, aircraft, railroad car, boat, barge, ship, truck, or other self-propelled vehicle or component thereof, dumbwaiter, conveyor chair or bucket hoist, construction hoist or similar devices used for the primary purpose of elevating or lowering materials.

**Federally owned conveyances, including those owned by sovereign tribal nations, conveyances installed in owner occupied private residence as defined in the Act, and any conveyance subject to the provision of a municipal inspection program are exempt from the Elevator Safety Act.

The KSFM has jurisdiction to ensure that elevators are installed, maintained and regularly inspected in compliance with recognized safety standards and codes. All elevator contractors, elevator mechanics and elevator inspectors are required to be licensed by the state.  

This program works to ensure the safe installation, operation, service and repair of all eligible elevators, except for the City of Wichita, which conducts its own inspections.

Kansas elevator safety rules and regulations require that each elevator within the scope of the Kansas Elevator Safety Act be registered with the KSFM and be inspected annually by a Kansas state-licensed inspector. As part of the inspection process, each elevator must be tested annually according to the most current version of the A17.1 code by a person qualified to perform such tests. The test shall be witnessed by the state-licensed inspector. The rules are contained in the Kansas Elevator Safety Act, which was enacted in 2022 and placed statutory enforcement responsibility with the KSFM.

Elevator Registration

Registration shall be submitted on KSFM Form 600-Elevator Registration. Registration will include, but is not limited to, the type of unit, contract load and speed, name of manufacturer, location and the purpose for which it is used. There is no fee to register an elevator.

KSFM Form 600 Elevator Registration Form

The Kansas Elevator Safety Act requires that all elevators, which includes elevators, escalators and conveyances, subject to the provisions of the Act be registered with The Kansas State Fire Marshal. Failure to register the elevator may result in a penalty being assessed as prescribed by law.  

Inspections

Inspection requirements for elevator owners: 

Any owner, operator, lessee, or its agent is responsible for obtaining a safety inspection by a Kansas State Fire Marshal Licensed Elevator Inspector, or Mechanic:

  • Each year for elevators located in counties with a population of 100,000 or more;
  • Every two years for elevators located in counties with a population of 50,000 to 99,999, and;
  • Every three years for elevators located in counties with populations of less than 50,000.
  • Elevators shall have Category 5 ASME periodic safety tests per the requirements of ASME A17.1, Section 8.6, performed at five-year intervals per Appendix N Table N-1-1. 

 The person conducting the inspection must be trained and qualified as an elevator inspector or mechanic and licensed to work on elevators in the State of Kansas.

Upon receipt of an approved safety inspection and test data, the elevator division will issue a Certificate of Operation for the respective equipment. No elevator shall operate in Kansas without a Certificate of Operation. Certificates of Operation shall be clearly displayed on or in each elevator or in the machine room for such elevator. Each Certificate of Operation shall state that the elevator has been inspected, tested and found to be in compliance with all applicable standards of operation. Violation of this section may result in misdemeanor criminal charges. 

After the first elevator inspection has been accepted and the Certificate of Operation issued, if the Owner maintains a service / maintenance agreement submitted to and accepted by the Kansas State Fire Marshal, the Owner would be exempt from the annual elevator inspection requirement pursuant to K.S.A. 44-1815 (2) (b). This exemption is provided to the Owner as the inspection of the equipment would, be performed under the service and maintenance agreement. Category 5 ASME safety testing performed at five-year intervals is required on all elevators with or without a service / maintenance agreement

For elevator owners seeking to be excluded from the inspection requirement pursuant to K.S.A. 44-1815(2)(b), the process is as follows.

  1. Provide form listed below, completed and signed (by both parties): 

            KSFM Form 605 Evidence of Elevator Service / Maintenance Agreement

  1. Email the completed form to: KSFM_Elevators@ks.gov


New Installations and Alterations

The Elevator Safety Act also requires that the Kansas State Fire Marshal issue an installation or alteration permit upon review and approval of plans for new installations or alterations.

Kansas Elevator Installation Application

  • Permit can only be issued to a Kansas licensed elevator contractor
  • $400 fee
     

KSFM Form 610 Kansas Elevator Installation Application

Kansas Permit to Alter Existing Elevator Application

  • Permit can only be issued to a Kansas licensed elevator contractor
  • $400 fee

KSFM Form 615a Repairs and Alterations that Require Permits

KSFM Form 615c Kansas Permit Application to alter an Existing Elevator

Existing Installations

K.S.A. 31-133(c) The rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall allow facilities in service prior to the effective date of such rules and regulations, and not in strict conformity therewith, to continue in service, so long as such facilities are not determined by the state fire marshal to constitute a distinct hazard to life or property. Any such determination shall be subject to the appeal provisions contained in  K.S.A. 31-140, and amendments thereto.

In areas with no elevator equipment code in effect prior to July 2022, the annual inspection and witnessing of applicable tests shall be performed according to the code that should have been in effect when the equipment was installed.  

Click on the tabs below for specific licensing information and applications.

  1. Elevator Contractor
  2. Elevator Inspector
  3. Elevator Mechanic
  4. Elevator Apprentice

Any Individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or other entity wishing to engage in the business of installing, altering, servicing, replacing or maintaining elevators shall make application for an elevator contractor's license. Licensee shall pay KSFM the required application fee of $500. Licenses must be renewed every two (2) years.

KSFM Form 620a Kansas Elevator Contractor Application Instructions

KSFM Form 620b Kansas Elevator Contractor Application

KSFM Form 635   Kansas Elevator Contractor Check List

**All contractor, inspector and mechanic licenses and installation/alteration permit fees can be paid by credit card on our website payment portal HERE.

Licensed Elevator Inspectors, Contractors and Mechanics in Kansas 

Kansas Licensed Elevator Contractors Directory (PDF)

Kansas Licensed Elevator Inspectors Directory (PDF)

Kansas Licensed Elevator Mechanics Directory (PDF)


Kansas Elevator Safety Guidance Letters & Variances

      Elevator Mechanics Guidance on Inspections

      Expired Certificate of Operation

      Elevator Safety Restrictions on Access to Elevator PIts-Hoistways

      Elevator Language Clarification

      Emergency Operation & Signaling Devices Variance


Kansas Elevator Safety Advisory Board

  1. Kansas Elevator Safety Advisory Board

Contact Us

  1. Elevator Safety Unit

    Email KSFM Elevator Unit

    Mailing Address
    800 SW Jackson
    Suite 104
    Topeka, KS 66612

    Phone: (785) 296-3401
    Fax: (785) 296-0151

  2. Mike McAlister

    Chief of Industrial Safety
    Email Mike McAlister
    More Information

Kansas Elevator Safety Act

  1. Kansas Elevator Safety Act
  1. Does the office of the state fire marshal have adopted Rules and Regulations for the Elevator Safety Act?
  2. If I own an elevator must I register it with KSFM?
  3. When do I need to apply?
  4. Who must apply?
  5. What database is being used?
  6. Why are contractors, mechanics, and inspectors now being required to become licensed?
  7. Will the KSFM have elevator inspectors?
  8. Will there be a 3rd party Inspector License?
  9. How much will the license cost?
  10. Will your office list licensed contractors, mechanics, and inspectors that have been certified?
  11. Will Compliance Engine be offering training for Inspectors?
  12. What elevator code is being enforced in Kansas?
  13. Are all elevators and installations inspected to the ASME A17.1-2019 code?
  14. What if the City or County has an Elevator program, what is the procedure?
  15. How do I receive my operating certificate for my elevator?
  16. Do I have to fix inspection deficiencies?
  17. How often is a state inspection required?
  18. What is the cost of an elevator inspection?
  19. What guidelines or procedures are required for the inspection?
  20. After completion of the inspection who do I contact to get information on how to correct any violations?
  21. If violations cannot be corrected within the 30-day time frame, can additional time be provided?
  22. When is a re-inspection required?
  23. How much time will I be allowed to have before I must be in compliance?
  24. How do I decommission an unused elevator?
  25. How do I know if my hydraulic elevator has a single bottom jack?
  26. If my elevator has a single bottom jack what are my options to ensure compliance with the ASME A17.1 code.
  27. If I select one of the options rather than replacing the single bottom jack will this prevent me from having to ever replace the single bottom jack?
  28. Who can perform work on a single bottom jack?
  29. Why am I being required to comply with the 2004 code?
  30. I have heard there may be potential of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations in connection with single bottom jacks?
  31. Why require the single bottom jack to be changed before a hydraulic oil leak occurs or the jack fails?
FAQ Page

Kansas Elevator Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

  1. Kansas Elevator Safety Advisory Board 14th Meeting Minutes
  2. Kansas Elevator Safety Advisory Board 13th Meeting Minutes
  3. Kansas Elevator Safety Advisory Board 12th Meeting Minutes.docx
  4. Kansas Elevator Safety Advisory Board 11th Meeting Minutes
  5. Kansas Elevator Safety Advisory Board 10th Meeting mins
  6. Kansas Elevator Safety Advisory Board 9th Meeting mins
  7. Kansas Elevator Safety Advisory Board 8th Meeting mins
  8. Kansas Elevator Safety Advisory Board 7th Meeting mins