Elevators,
Escalators and Related Equipment Safety and Licensing Strategic Plan Comments
1. What are we doing well?
- The process of issuing certifications was noted as an improvement in the
boiler program.
- The new elevators certificates are nicer looking, and the elevator database
is an appreciated feature of the website.
- Clear and prompt responses to inquiries were noted as a positive aspect
in both programs, as was open communication with TDLR. The website
has good information, including the listing of current laws and rules.
- Licensing, registration and certification process is very helpful to municipalities.
- The communication with the team leader at Joint Reviews/ASME and NBIC Accreditation
Audits very, very helpful.
- Testing at the Dallas facility was very professional and convenient.
- Examinations.
- Have no problems in this area. Had one complaint about 15 years ago
and I thought your department handled it well.
2. What can we do better?
- Make the “Presys” system “talk” to TDLR’s
System in the Boiler program. (1 Dot)
- Provide more instruction on the RFI requests in the Elevator program.
- Explain how to resolve issues better in written communications in the Elevator
program.
- Get the Elevator database up and running again.
- Create PDF documents that can be filled out electronically.
- More senior inspectors are needed in the Boiler program.
- More field investigators are needed in the Boiler program.
- More consistency is needed with QEIs and their inspection reports in the
Elevator program. (1 Dot)
- Make sure all violations are caught, especially for acceptance inspections
in the Elevator program.
- Have acceptance inspections conducted only by state employees in the Elevator
program.
- Have more in-house training for acceptance inspections in the Elevator
program.
- Make sure that listed violations are valid in the Elevator program.
- Provide for electronic/online inspection reports and applications in both
programs.
- Provide a flowchart showing who in the industry to call regarding specific
questions.
- Send a listserve notice when law and rules change to building owners.
- Communicate ongoing changes to a broader group –
building owners, management companies and building owner associations.
- Create an online message board with searchable keywords for questions and
answers in the Elevator program.
- I feel that the jurisdictional requirements for repairs to power boilers
are not easy to find. Even through the website navigation I tend to
get lost. These requirements communicated effectively are very important
to me and my clients. An “Inspectors Corner” or some kind
of inspection forum would be appreciated.
- The new card is UGLY and the logo needs improvement.
- Telephone CSRs seem overworked and under qualified. Hold times are
ridiculous.
- Way too much focus on boilers for a southern state. Tests should
be updated to reflect today’s issues. Proper combustion air,
ventilation, energy efficiency, IAQ, ERV’s, etc.
- Licensing, registration and certification.
- Communication.
- I wish we could go 2 years on continuing education requirements instead
of annually.
3.If you could change one service that we
provide, what would it be and how would you change it?
- Get the elevator database up and running again. (1 Dot)
- Use more computer systems to process required documents that are compatible
with other systems used in the Boiler industry.
- Use Presys in the Boiler program.
- Be more consistent regarding acceptance inspections in the Elevator program.
- Provide for a higher level of inspector, possibly a state inspector, to
conduct acceptance inspections in the Elevator program.
- Get more staff in the Boiler program. (1 Dot)
- Train and hire more staff and keep them customer oriented.
- At this time it would be the flow of information. I have to call
several people to get an answer to a question. More often than not
it is the wrong answer. I do not mind calling a couple of different
people but it would help if the information given is current and correct.
4. If you could eliminate or amend any provision
of TDLR’s statutes or rules, which one would it be and why?
- Get the ability to accept or amend portions of the National Board 2007
standards in the Boiler program – don’t be hampered by having
to take all or nothing, but get the ability to take some portions. (1
Dot)
- Adopt a version of ASME-CSD1 for control and safety devices in the Elevator
program.
- I would amend the rules to require more licensing and real training of
technicians. There are just too many unqualified employees doing sloppy
and dangerous work in this trade. One license holding contractor can’t
oversee the work of 50 people that can’ tread or write and don’t
even speak the same language as the license holder.
- I wish we could go 2 years on continuing education requirements instead
of annually. It seems like I just finish the required course and I
must start up again.
- I would like the license period to be longer, again for the sake of lessening
having to worry about it. We often have employees that get their license
yet still work for us under my license and without my knowledge.
- I think I should be notified when an employee obtains a license.
5. What major changes will occur over the next
five years that will impact the way you do business and the services we provide?
- Predicted that the number of incidents in the boiler program could increase
and if they did, more stringent laws may be passed to require more frequent
maintenance.
- For both elevators and boilers, the impact of technology on the industries
was noted as something to pay close attention to.
- Predictions were made that the need for more energy efficient equipment
due to population increases would be seen, and a specific example of boilers
powered by treated wasted given.
- Green buildings, Hydrogen technology, solar and wind energy, sustainability
and high density development.
- The technician registration, boiler rules, any changes to hvac licensing.
- House Bill 9, recovery, tracing, and disposal of oil, the cost of having
so many different refrigerants to keep track of when recovering.
- Trained technical personnel, this has improved somewhat in the last year
but most of what we are seeing are graduates with no experience.
Top of Page | Elevator Safety Home Page | TDLR Home Page
