Elevator Safety Inspections

Under Chapter 16 of Title 41 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976 (as amended), the Office of Elevators and Amusement Rides administers regulations governing construction, alteration, and installation of new elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, handicapped lifts and moving walks. It also administers safety standards for existing facilities. All safety standards are national consensus standards as published by the American National Standards Institute. The office, and the private inspectors it licenses, inspects elevator facilities and issues operating certificates.

Since registration of elevators and related equipment formally began in July 1986, 11,802 elevators and related equipment have been registered in South Carolina. The highest number of registered facilities are located in Richland, Charleston, Greenville and Horry counties. Effective September 1, 2011, annual inspections of elevators and related equipment are conducted by Special Inspectors licensed by the Office of Elevators and Amusement Rides. The names of all licensed Special Inspectors are listed on our website. Building owners shall ensure that their elevators are inspected annually by one of the licensed Special Inspectors. State Inspection Auditors travel the state to randomly audit the inspections conducted by  Special Inspectors.

Fees for the inspections performed by the Office of Elevators and Amusement Rides are based on the contract price for new elevators under construction or on the contract price for existing elevators when an alteration to the elevator or related equipment  is performed. The renewal fee for an operating certificate upon report of a Special Inspector shall be $35.00 per elevator or related equipment.