MESA provides this page as an attempt to consolidate the Elevator and Building Code information currently in play in the Commonwealth, please use this information only as a guide to direct your review of Codes and Code issues directly to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).  The comments are posted but only significant comments are maintained on the page.

If you have a comment, clarification, or suggestion for the latest version of the 524 CMR, mail or fax it to:

Mr. Lenny Chase
Department of Public Safety – Elevator Division
PO Box 779
Tewksbury, MA  01876
Ph: 978-851-9813
Fx: 978-858-0869

Public Hearings within the Commonwealth

- Link to the State Publications and Regulations page/Secretary of State

MA 524 CMR – Board of Elevator Regulations

- Link to the Board of Elevator Regulations/DPS
 

April 2009 – Code Update Pending – A Public Hearing will be set to modify and add the vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) inspection, associated B20 Code and addition of the 524 CMR Advisory: Installation of machine roomless (MRL) elevators in the Commonwealth to the 524 CMR.  The mandated May hearing will be held, but only as a formality with an open forum, comments for that hearing should be made as soon as possible to allow for timely review.

May 2009  – Code Hearing Complete and Comments Under Review - The Board of Elevator Regulations held the March 31st hearing at 1 Ashburton Place, in the basement cafeteria meeting room.  The full information is available by following this link March 09 Board Proposal Redline and the invitation March 09 Elevator Code Hearing Notice .  

Sept. 2008  – Official MRL Guidelines Posted.  Board of Elevator Regulations Chairman, John Caughy officially clarified and re-released the MRL installation guidelines instituted some years ago.  The complete Advisor including permitting requirements, machine space location/requirement, and more are posted at 524 CMR Advisory: Installation of machine roomless (MRL) elevators in the Commonwealth. 

Nov. 2008 -The 524 CMR May Code Changes have been approved – There are some significant additions to our Code as well, take this link to a copy of the 524 CMR Proposed May Updates.  Two of the biggest items on the list are the regulations to accommodate the larger 24” wide x 84” long stretcher, with 5” radius corners.  While the interior size of the car has to increase, the clear directions on interior dimension, door size, and location have been removed.  The other big item is the formal outline of the inspector’s ability to write violations outside the scope of the 524 CMR as long as the Board is notified within 24 hours.  The changes to the Code are quite far reaching, take some time to get up to speed.

July 2008 – Fee Increases Passed  – Fee increases passed are detailed in this link fee increase hearing data. The overall proposed budget is available at this link proposed DPS Elevator Budget .

July 2008 – Code Changes Passed and Published – All of the items presented at the May hearing have been adopted into the Massachusetts Elevator Code.  Click the following link to take you to the document provided to MESA by the Elevator Board: 524 CMR Elevator Code Changes 2008.

MA 780 CMR – The Building Code of Massachusetts

- Link to the MA Building Code/BBRS
 

Sept 2008 - The 7th Edition of the 780 CMR: Massachusetts Building Code has been published. – Copies are currently for sale from Secretary of State Gavin’s office at  MA State Book Store.  There are huge changes for Massachusetts in this new edition as it is based on the national IBC 2003 code, which is a first.  Please note I said “based on”, there are still significant nuances specific to the Commonwealth, not limited to elevators.  Rumors have it that there will be a six (6) month concurrency period in which either the 6th or the 7th edition can be used, but after March 1, 2009, the 6th edition is set to be repealed and replaced by the 7th edition. Check out this link to the BBRS Website to learn more.

July (mid) 2008 – The proposed 7th edition of the 780 CMR and the addition changes from the general public are posted on the BBRS website (click this link BBRS Code Update).  Many of these proposed code changes were approved by the BBRS.  At this point (7/26/08), this agency is striving to have  the 7th Edition Basic Building Code announced in the 8/22/08 Massachusetts Register but please continue to monitor the DPS web portal for updates – one can also subscribe to the Massachusetts Register and by doing so be apprised of any changes to any Codes of Massachusetts Regulation. The BBRS voted on December 11, 2007 to have a 6 month concurrency period with the 6th edition which will start on the date the 7th edition Basic Code is published.

 Draka ESS Presentation – 2009 Draka Suspension Means MESA 3

MESA gathers Code information from various sources, there can be some lag time between updates to this website and the AHJ’s information and schedule.  It is best to confirm directly with the AHJ for any Code information or questions

We are still developing this page, there is more to come.

Please check back periodically.