Bill Text: NJ S2153 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires elevators in new buildings be at least a certain size.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-06-30 - Substituted by A2479 (1R) [S2153 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-S2153-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Senator SANDRA B. CUNNINGHAM
District 31 (Hudson)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Ruiz
SYNOPSIS
Requires elevators in new buildings be at least a certain size.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the size of certain elevators and amending P.L.2001, c.263.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2001, c.263 (C.52:27D-123.14) is amended to read as follows:
1. Notwithstanding any [other law or regulation to the contrary, the commissioner shall modify, within 180 days of the effective date of this act the code pertaining to elevators to require that an elevator, when installed in any newly-constructed multiple dwelling for which a construction permit is issued subsequent to the effective date of the regulations promulgated to effectuate P.L.2001, c.263 (C.52:27D-123.14), be of adequate dimensions to accommodate an ambulance cart that is 24 inches by 76 inches in the horizontal open position.] law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, within 180 days of the effective date of P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the commissioner shall modify the code pertaining to elevators to require that at least one elevator be of such an arrangement to accommodate an ambulance stretcher 24 inches by 84 inches in the horizontal, open position with not less than 5-inch radius corners when installed in any newly-constructed buildings four or more stories above grade, or four or more stories below grade plane, for which a construction permit is issued subsequent to the effective date of the regulations promulgated pursuant to this section. The commissioner shall require such elevators to bear markings to identify its designation for use by emergency medical services consistent with national standards for such markings.
(cf: P.L.2001, c.263, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to promulgate regulations requiring that in any newly constructed building four or more stories above grade, or four or more stories below grade plane, at least one elevator must be of such size and arrangement to accommodate an ambulance stretcher 24 inches by 84 inches in the horizontal, open position with not less than 5-inch radius corners. The bill also directs the commissioner to require such elevators to bear markings to identify its designation for use by emergency medical services consistent with national standards for such markings. These standards reflect requirements in Chapter 30 (Elevators and Conveying Systems) of the International Building Code, 2012 Edition.
While current law requires elevators in newly constructed multiple dwellings for which a permit was issued after the effective date of P.L.2001, c.263 to be of adequate size to accommodate a stretcher that is 24 inches by 76 inches in the horizontal, open position, there is currently no size requirement for elevators in buildings that are not multiple dwellings. The sponsor believes that the minimum elevator size requirement would improve the safety of any person living or working in a newly constructed building.
