DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 653 Engrossed 2018 Regular Session Simon
Abstract: Expands applicability of law to conveyance devices and includes such devices as life
safety systems and equipment under the authority of the state fire marshal.
Present law (R.S. 40:1646 et seq.) provides for the Inspection of Life Safety Systems and Equipment.
Provides "life safety systems and equipment" includes but is not limited to fire sprinklers, fire
alarms, fire suppression, special locking systems and equipment, and portable fire extinguishers.
Proposed law expands present law to include application to "conveyance devices". Adds other
provisions relative to such devices, including but not limited to certifications, construction,
programming, and dismantling.
Present law provides for Life Safety and Property Protection Licensing.
Proposed law expands the applicability of present law licensing to include "conveyance devices".
Adds other provisions, including but not limited to certifications, construction, programming, and
dismantling of such devices.
Present law provides for definitions.
Proposed law modifies "certify" and "life safety and property protection contracting" as defined in
present law. Further adds the following definitions: "ANSI", "ASCE", "ASME", "conveyance" or
"conveyance device", "conveyance device inspector", and "conveyance device mechanic".
Present law authorizes the fire marshal to inspect and test all life safety systems and equipment in
this state to determine compliance with applicable standards.
Proposed law expands present law to authorize the fire marshal's certification of such systems and
equipment to determine compliance with applicable codes and manufacturer specifications.
Proposed law requires a licensed conveyance device mechanic who installs new conveyance devices
or a qualified representative to be onsite for the final acceptance inspection by a conveyance device
inspector.
Present law provides that licensure requirements do not apply to any manufacturer, and his employee
or representative, who acts as a consultant to a licensed firm in the certifying, inspecting, installation,
integrating, selling, and servicing of life safety and property protection systems while under the direct supervision of the licensed firm.
Proposed law adds programming to the provisions of present law. Otherwise retains present law.
Present law authorizes the fire marshal to assess and collect certain fees relative to license
endorsements with respect to 2 categories: (1) Property Protection and (2) Life Safety.
Proposed law adds Conveyance Devices as a division within the Life Safety category and requires
a technical license endorsement for such devices.
Proposed law provides the following 2 technical license endorsements for persons. Provides an
initial fee of $100.00 and a renewal fee of $50.00 for each, respectively:
(1) Conveyance Device Inspector.
(2) Conveyance Device Mechanic.
Proposed law requires a person who obtains a technical license endorsement to receive at least one
of the following certifications:
(1) Certified Elevator Technician (CET) certification provided by the National Association of
Elevator Contractors.
(2) Certification provided by the National Elevator Industry Educational Program.
(3) Qualified Elevator Inspectors (QEI) certification provided by the National Association of
Elevator Safety Authorities.
Further provides that a person who currently holds a technical license endorsement, but has not
acquired the required certification, is not prohibited from actively working pursuant to the issuance
of the license endorsement, but such person is required to obtain at least one of the certifications
described in proposed law within three years from the date the person receives notice from the fire
marshal that such person is required to become certified.
Proposed law requires the owner of a conveyance device installed prior to July 1, 2019, except those
exempt pursuant to present law, to register the conveyance device with the office of state fire marshal
on or before Dec. 1, 2019. Requires a firm installing conveyance devices on or after July 1, 2019
to register the conveyance device with the office of state fire marshal within 30 days of its
installation.
Present law provides certain duties and powers of the fire marshal.
Proposed law expands such duties and power to include the ordering of a special investigation of any
conveyance device accident resulting in human injury or death. Provides for such special
investigation upon notification by a fire chief or his designee. Present law provides for the Life Safety and Property Advisory Board. Provides for the board to be
composed of 13 members. Requires 12 members to be appointed by the governor from a list of
nominees submitted to the governor from particular entities. Further provides 5 members of the
board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
Proposed law amends present law to provide for the Life Safety and Property Education Board.
Increases the number of board members from 13 to 15. Increases the number of members to be
appointed by the governor from 12 to 14. Expands the entities authorized to submit nominees to the
governor to include a licensed firm or any conveyance device trade association. Increases the
number of board members constituting a quorum from 5 to 8.
Present law prohibits persons or firms from certifying, inspecting, installing, integrating, selling, or
servicing life safety and property protection contrary to plans submitted for review, applicable NFPA
codes, standards, or manufacturer specifications without specific written authorization from the
office of the state fire marshal.
Proposed law adds dismantling and programming as prohibitions without proper authorization.
Adds ASME, ANSI, or ASCE codes as applicable codes for compliance. Clarifies that "life safety
and property protection" as stated in present law refers to life safety and property protection systems.
Proposed law exempts a municipality or parish from the provisions of present law and proposed law
if such municipality or parish has adopted and is enforcing a nationally recognized standard or code
for conveyance devices. Authorizes the municipality or parish to continue enforcing the national
standard or code and requires no additional inspections. Further requires the national standard or
code to contain requirements substantially equal to the fire marshal's code with respect to
conveyance devices.
Effective Jan. 1, 2019.
(Amends R.S. 40:1646(A) - (C), 1664.3(intro. para.), (4), and (37), 1664.5(intro. para.) and (10),
1664.9(A), (C)(intro. para.), and (D) - (J), 1664.11(A)(intro. para.), (1)(a), and (D), and
1664.12(intro. para.) and (3); Adds R.S. 40:1646(E), 1664.3(62) - (67), 1664.9(C)(11), (K), and (L),
1664.10(9), and 1664.17)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the original bill:
1. Provide that a qualified representative is an authorized person to be onsite for a
conveyance device inspector's final acceptance inspection.
2. Add to present law that licensure requirements do not apply to any manufacturer, and his
employee or representative, who acts as a consultant to a licensed firm in the
programming of life safety and property protection systems under the direct supervision
of the licensed firm. 3. Require persons who obtain technical license endorsements to receive at least one of the
following certifications:
(a) Certified Elevator Technician (CET) certification provided by the National
Association of Elevator Contractors.
(b) Certification provided by the National Elevator Industry Educational Program.
(c) Qualified Elevator Inspectors (QEI) certification provided by the National
Association of Elevator Safety Authorities.
4. Provide that a person who currently holds a technical license endorsement, but has not
acquired the required certification, is not prohibited from actively working pursuant to
the issuance of the license endorsement, but such person is required to obtain at least one
of the certifications within three years from the date the person receives notice from the
office of state fire marshal that such person is required to become certified.
5. Exempt a municipality or parish from the provisions of present law and proposed law if
such municipality or parish has adopted and is enforcing a nationally recognized standard
or code for conveyance devices.
6. Authorize such a municipality or parish to continue to enforce the national standard or
code and requires no additional inspections.
7. Require the national standard or code to contain requirements substantially equal to the
fire marshal's code with respect to conveyance devices.
8. Authorize the fire marshal to inspect, certify, and test conveyance devices according to
present law and proposed law upon the effective date of the proposed legislation until
July 1, 2024.
9. Require the owner or his designee of a conveyance device installed prior to July 1, 2019
to register the conveyance device in compliance with proposed law.
10.Require a firm that installs a conveyance device on or after July 1, 2019 to register the
conveyance device in compliance with proposed law.
11.Make technical changes.