(1) The department shall inspect hoisting and lowering mechanisms equipped with a car or platform, which move between two or more landings, including but not limited to:

(a) elevators, platform lifts and stairway chair lifts;

(b) power driven stairways and walkways for carrying persons between landings, including but not limited to:

(i) escalators; and

(ii) moving walks;

(c) hoisting and lowering mechanisms equipped with a car, which serves two or more landings and is restricted to carrying only materials by its limited size or limited access to the car, including but not limited to:

(i) dumbwaiters;

(ii) material lifts and dumbwaiters with automatic transfer devices; and

(d) automatic guarded transit vehicles on guideways with an exclusive right-of-way including, but not limited to, automated people movers.

(2) Each installation shall be inspected at least once every 12 months, except as provided in ARM 24.301.609, and freight elevator inspections must be conducted at least every two years.

(3) If the inspection by the department reveals a unit complies with the requirements of the code and the inspection fee has been paid, a certificate of inspection will be issued.

(4) If the inspection by the department reveals a unit has minor deficiencies that do not cause imminent hazard to life and safety but that should be corrected before the next inspection, a conditional certificate may be issued after the certificate of inspection fee has been paid. Only one conditional certificate will be issued for each specified deficiency. Upon the next scheduled inspection, if the same deficiencies exist, the department will require those deficiencies be corrected before a certificate of inspection will be issued.

(5) New or upgraded elevators cannot be placed in operation prior to an inspection by the department and the issuance of a temporary certificate of inspection. Installers shall call the department for an inspection a minimum of 10 working days prior to the scheduled or anticipated date for placing the elevator in use. A temporary certificate may be withdrawn at any time, for cause, by the department.

(6) A duplicate certificate of inspection will be issued for a $10 fee.

(7) The annual certificate of inspection fee is:

(a) when inspections are performed by the department:

(i) for each elevator, escalator, and moving walk

(also applies to follow-up inspections performed after a licensed

inspector's inspection)                                                                                                   $100

(ii) for each lift (also applies to follow-up inspections

done after certified inspector's inspection                                                                       70

(b) when inspections are made by certified inspectors

and no follow up is required by the department:

(i) for each elevator, escalator and moving walk                                                 10

(8) When an inspection reveals an unsafe condition, the inspector shall immediately file with the owner and the department a full and true report of such inspection and such unsafe condition.

(a) If the department finds that the unsafe condition endangers human life, it shall cause the elevator, escalator, moving walk, or other conveyance to be posted with a notice, in a conspicuous place, stating that the conveyance is unsafe. The owner shall see to it that such notice is legibly maintained where placed by the department.

(b) The department shall also issue an order in writing to the owner requiring the repairs or alterations to be made to the conveyance, which is necessary to render it safe. The department may order the operation thereof discontinued until the repairs or alterations are made or the unsafe conditions are removed.

(c) Only the department may remove a posted notice of unsafe conditions when the department is satisfied that the unsafe conditions have been corrected.

(d) The certificate fee will be charged even though the unit is not certified for operation, and at such time as the deficiencies are corrected, a reinspection fee will be charged.

(9) It is unlawful to operate any elevator, escalator, moving walk, or other conveyance without a current certificate of inspection or authorization from the department. These certificates shall be issued upon payment of prescribed fees and the presentation of a valid inspection report indicating that the conveyance is safe and that the inspection was made within the previous six months. Certificates shall not be issued when the conveyance is posted as unsafe. Obtaining current certificates of inspection is the responsibility of the owners of the conveyance.

(10) Elevator certificates of inspection, or signs indicating that a copy of the certificate is available upon request and where one can be obtained, must be posted in each elevator.