Somerville elevators must be inspected annually and maintained per 524 CMR, enforced by the MA Department of Public Safety, with current inspection certificates posted in each car.
Elevators in Somerville commercial, residential, and mixed-use buildings fall under 524 CMR, Massachusetts Elevator Regulations, administered by the Department of Public Safety Elevator Section (not the city). Every passenger elevator, freight elevator, escalator, dumbwaiter over a certain size, and certain lifts must have an annual inspection performed by a DPS inspector, with periodic testing of safeties, governors, and emergency communications. A current Certificate of Inspection must be posted visibly in or near each elevator. Owners must contract with a licensed elevator maintenance company; maintenance records are required on site. Any modernization or modification requires permits filed with DPS and passes inspection before returning to service. Elevators out of compliance can be red-tagged and shut down. ADA and MAAB (Massachusetts Architectural Access Board) rules also apply to accessibility features. Fines for operating without a current certificate can exceed $1,000 per day. Somerville ISD may refer complaints to DPS but does not directly inspect elevators.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle elevator maintenance.
See how Somerville's elevator maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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