Jill McCarthy

The board discussed the enforcement of door lock monitoring systems, concluding that compliance remains governed by the installation year as per state statute. The elevator statistics report provided an overview of permits, registered elevators, and active licenses. Administrative updates included the revision of service and maintenance agreement forms. The board established a 14-day deadline for the submission of inspection reports and documentation. Additionally, it was decided that federal census data will be utilized for determining inspection frequencies based on county population thresholds. The session also covered enforcement updates regarding non-compliance issues and pending variance documentation.

The board reviewed the elevator statistics report for the period between October 2025 and March 2026, which covered permit applications and total registered elevators. New business included a discussion on the repair threshold for residential elevators and an issue regarding nuisance alarms during generator testing in Overland Park, which will be revisited in the next meeting. The board also held a compliance discussion regarding unregistered elevators, emphasizing the need for industry cooperation, and received public comment suggesting stricter enforcement measures for unregistered units.

The meeting included a report on Elevator Program Statistics for the period of April through September 2025, noting a registered elevator count of 8,282 and detailing active contractor, inspector, and mechanic licenses. New business focused on correspondence, emphasizing that work should not occur on unregistered or expired elevators, and discussing the suggestion of posting certificates in both the cab and equipment room. A significant discussion addressed simplifying Service and Maintenance Agreement submissions via a compliance form, clarifying that maintenance contracts do not inherently include Category 1 annual safety tests per ASME A17.1 Section 8.6, and revising the form language for further review. The board also reviewed and approved two variance requests: one for the Phillips County Courthouse concerning minor items, and another for the Panasonic Battery Plant related to the absence of sump pumps, where the board suggested adding flooded-pit detection sensors. Finally, the board directed that formal written requests be submitted for the reconsideration of temporary mechanic licenses.

The meeting addressed several key items, including updates on Elevator Program Statistics covering new applications and total registered elevators from June through November 2025, and the regulatory update regarding revised language on K.A.R. 605 concerning service agreements. The Board conducted elections for officers, resulting in Mark Engholm as Chairperson and Mike McAllister as Vice Chair. A significant discussion centered on the retroactive application of the Door Lock Monitoring (DLM) system requirement for older elevators, concluding with a motion for further research due to cost implications and lack of statutory precedent. Updates on variances for the Phillips County Courthouse and Samsung/City of DeSoto projects were provided. The Board also reviewed a serious safety concern involving an unlicensed elevator repair where safety mechanisms were bypassed, leading to the unit being condemned.

The meeting covered several topics, including a review of granted variances, discussions on QEI procedures, codes enforced, certification requirements, and a proposal for temporary mechanics licenses. The board discussed adding the date July 1, 2022, to the regulation for permits and contracts, adopting A17.3 in the OSFM, and defining QEI inspector certificates. Additional discussions included an elevator accident in Fort Worth, modifying the 30-day enforcement extension, reintroducing industrial industry regulations, and establishing a temporary mechanic level with specific guidelines.