Elevators in Des Moines buildings are regulated under Iowa Code Chapter 89A by the state Elevator Safety Bureau within Iowa Workforce Development, requiring annual inspections, state permits, and licensed contractors for installation and repair.
Iowa Code Chapter 89A and associated administrative rules place elevator regulation under the Iowa Division of Labor / Elevator Safety Bureau rather than the city directly. Owners of conveyances in Des Moines, including elevators, escalators, and dumbwaiters in commercial and multi-family buildings, must register the equipment, obtain operating permits, and undergo annual safety inspections by state-licensed inspectors. Repairs and modernizations must be performed by licensed elevator contractors and mechanics. Out-of-service or non-permitted equipment must be locked out. Local building permits through Des Moines Permit and Development Center are still required for installations tied to construction projects.
Operating elevators without a current state permit, missing annual inspections, using unlicensed contractors, or running equipment with safety defects can lead to red-tag shutdowns and fines.
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See how Des Moines's elevator maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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