Washington State Bill Attempts To Reform Elevator Size Requirements

Senate Bill 5156, sponsored by Washington State Senator Jesse Salomon, has advanced in its efforts to make Washington State a leader on elevator reform, The Urbanist reports. The bill calls for Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries to adopt new standards for elevators in all buildings, specifically allowing smaller elevators in buildings six stories or shorter, with 24 units or less. Elevators that are required in new apartment buildings currently have to be large enough to provide space for a 24-in. by 84-in. ambulance stretcher to enable efficient emergency response. The bill has faced opposition from firefighter advocates worried about limiting emergency responders’ access to the upper floors of buildings. However, the bill was able to advance with bipartisan support.