elevator regulation at a glance
- Regulator
- Iowa Division of Labor (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing), Elevator Safety
- Statute
- Iowa Code Chapter 89A; rules at 875 IAC Chapters 71–72
- Who inspects
- State inspectors or owner-hired special inspectors authorized under 875-71.12; a special inspector may not hold a maintenance, installation or alteration contract on the unit
- Frequency
- Annual periodic inspection; construction elevators and personnel hoists at least quarterly
- Corrections
- Up to 30 days to correct unsafe conditions, with petitions for up to 60 more; written proof required before the operating permit is issued or renewed
- Permits
- Installation and alteration permit applications due at least 8 weeks before work; equipment may not be used until a state inspector passes it; operating permit posted in the unit
Elevator compliance in Des Moines
Downtown Des Moines is one of the densest office cores in the Midwest for its size: insurance and financial headquarters, the four-mile skywalk system with its escalators and public elevators, the Iowa Events Center, the state Capitol complex and a fast-growing stock of converted residential buildings. West Des Moines adds large suburban office campuses; UnityPoint, MercyOne and Broadlawns run the hospital equipment; Drake University and Des Moines University add campus portfolios.
Iowa requires an annual inspection and a current operating permit for each unit. Owners can hire an authorized special inspector rather than wait for the state, provided that inspector has no maintenance contract on the equipment. Corrections are due within 30 days of a failed inspection, with written proof to the Division of Labor before the permit is renewed.
How we help Des Moines owners
Elevator Compliance Group is an independent, QEI-licensed inspection and consulting firm. We do not sell maintenance, repairs or modernization, so our work in Des Moines is only for the owner: inspections and inspection witnessing, review of inspection reports and violations, deficiency tracking to verified correction, maintenance contract review, modernization planning and owner representation when the contractor and the inspector disagree.
- Annual special inspections for office, skywalk, hospital and campus equipment
- Correction tracking against Iowa’s 30-day window with contractor follow-through
- Maintenance contract review for corporate and institutional portfolios
- Modernization planning for 1970s and 1980s downtown equipment
- Permit and acceptance coordination for residential conversions
Nearby communities
West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Clive, Johnston, Ames and Iowa City.
Regulatory summary based on the agency sources below; requirements change, so confirm current rules with the agency or with us before relying on them.