Lack of Elevator Inspectors Delaying Maine Projects

A lack of available elevator inspectors in Maine is hindering the finalization of some multi-story affordable housing projects, News Center Maine reports. There are only three licensed elevator inspectors in the state “who can perform elevator acceptance inspections that are needed before any elevator statewide can be cleared for use in a commercial or residential building.” The senior inspector manages other responsibilities and does not regularly complete elevator acceptance inspections. There is only one inspector who is “fully dedicated” to completing elevator acceptance inspections, with the third licensed inspector managing other job functions and filling in, completing acceptance inspections about 80% of the time. New housing in Bangor, Portland, Scarborough and other areas tends to be multi-story buildings, so the shortage of available elevator inspections is a growing concern. It usually takes a full day to complete one inspection, and there are, currently,12 building units scheduled to receive an elevator acceptance inspection within the next three weeks with 90 more in a “pending status,” which will soon need elevator acceptance inspections. Inspectors try to fulfill requests within two to three weeks, but coordinating schedules with all personnel who must be present at an acceptance inspection is an issue. Officials said the joint select housing committee is working to remove obstacles that are holding up housing development projects.