Chapter 101

101.96(1) (1) Installation standards.

101.96(1)(a) (a) Promulgation of standards. The department shall, by rule, establish installation standards for the safe installation of manufactured homes in this state. In promulgating rules under this paragraph, the department shall consider the recommendations of the manufactured housing code council under s. 101.933.

101.96(1)(b) (b) Enforcement of standards. The department shall, by rule, establish a method for ensuring compliance with the rules promulgated under par. (a). The department shall require inspections of manufactured home installations by 3rd-party inspectors licensed by the department. The department shall, by rule, establish criteria for the licensure of 3rd-party inspectors that include a requirement that an individual may not serve as a 3rd-party inspector if the individual is, is employed by, or is an independent contractor of any of the following:

101.96(1)(b)1. 1. A manufactured home manufacturer who was directly involved in the sale of the particular manufactured home.

101.96(1)(b)2. 2. A manufactured home salesperson who was directly involved in the sale of the particular manufactured home.

101.96(1)(b)3. 3. An installer who was directly involved in the sale of the particular manufactured home.

101.96(2) (2) Manufactured home installers.

101.96(2)(a) (a) License required; exceptions; liability. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, beginning on January 1, 2007, no person may act as an installer in this state unless the person is a licensed installer or employs one or more licensed installers to generally supervise each of the person’s installations of manufactured homes in this state. This requirement does not apply to an individual who installs a manufactured home on his or her own property for his or her personal use or to an individual who installs a manufactured home under the general supervision of a licensed installer. A licensed installer is liable for all acts and omissions related to the installation of each individual who performs an installation under the licensed installer’s general supervision.

101.96(2)(b) (b) License eligibility. The department may issue an installer’s license only to an individual to whom all of the following apply:

101.96(2)(b)1. 1. The individual is at least 18 years old.

101.96(2)(b)2. 2. The individual files with the department a license application on a form prescribed by the department.

101.96(2)(b)3. 3. The individual completes, to the satisfaction of the department, an examination approved by the department that tests the skills necessary to properly install manufactured homes and knowledge of the laws applicable to manufactured home installation.

101.96(2)(b)4. 4. The individual has not been found responsible in any judicial or administrative forum for any violation of this section during the 2 years before the date on which the individual’s license application is submitted.

101.96(2)(b)5. 5. The individual has not been found responsible in any judicial or administrative forum during the 2 years before the date on which the individual’s license application is submitted for any failure to perform an installation of a manufactured home as required under contract or for defrauding any person with regard to the provision of installation services.

101.96(2)(b)6. 6. The individual meets the standards of financial responsibility established by rule of the department.

101.96(2)(br) (br) Examination waiver. The department shall, by rule, establish a procedure under which it may waive the examination requirement under par. (b) 3. for individuals that demonstrate sufficient experience installing manufactured homes including active participation in the installation of at least 10 manufactured homes. This paragraph does not apply after June 1, 2007.

101.96(2)(c) (c) License term and fee. The department, by rule shall establish the term of installers’ licenses and the conditions under which the department may revoke or suspend installers’ licenses. The department shall establish an initial installer’s license fee and license renewal fee by rule under s. 101.19.

101.96 History History: 2005 a. 45.

101.96 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. SPS 305.327 and ch. SPS 320, Wis. adm. code.

101.965 101.965 Penalties.

101.965(1) (1) Any person who violates ss. 101.953 to 101.955, or any rule promulgated under ss. 101.953 to 101.955, may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.

101.965(1p) (1p) Any person who violates s. 101.96 or any rule promulgated under that section may be required to forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $500 for each violation. Each day of continued violation constitutes a separate violation.

101.965(1t) (1t) Upon request of the department, the attorney general may commence an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin any installer from installing a manufactured home in violation of s. 101.96 (2).

101.965(2) (2) In any court action brought by the department for violations of this subchapter, the department may recover all costs of testing and investigation, in addition to costs otherwise recoverable, if it prevails in the action.

101.965(3) (3) Nothing in this subchapter prohibits the bringing of a civil action against a manufactured home manufacturer, manufactured home dealer or manufactured home salesperson by an aggrieved consumer. If judgment is rendered for the consumer based on an act or omission by the manufactured home manufacturer, manufactured home dealer or manufactured home salesperson, that constituted a violation of this subchapter, the plaintiff shall recover actual and proper attorney fees in addition to costs otherwise recoverable.

101.965 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2005 a. 45.

subch. VII of ch. 101 SUBCHAPTER VII

ELEVATORS, ESCALATORS,
AND OTHER CONVEYANCES

101.981 101.981 Definitions; modification by rule.

101.981(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), in this subchapter:

101.981(1)(a) (a) “Amusement or thrill ride” has the meaning given s. 101.19 (1b) (b).

101.981(1)(b) (b) “Belt manlift” means a power-driven, looped belt equipped with steps or platforms and a hand hold for the transportation of people from one floor of a building or structure to another.

101.981(1)(c) (c) “Conveyance” means an elevator, an escalator, a dumbwaiter, a belt manlift, a moving walkway, a platform lift, and a stairway chair lift, and any other similar device, such as an automated people mover, used to elevate or move people or things, as provided in the rules of the department. “Conveyance” does not include a personnel hoist; a material hoist; a grain elevator; a lift as defined in s. 167.33 (1) (f); an amusement or thrill ride; or a vertical platform lift, inclined platform lift, or a stairway chair lift that serves an individual residential dwelling unit.

101.981(1)(d) (d) “Dumbwaiter” means a hoisting and lowering mechanism that satisfies all of the following conditions:

101.981(1)(d)1. 1. Is equipped with a compartment that moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction and has a floor area of not more than 9 square feet.

101.981(1)(d)2. 2. Has a maximum lifting and lowering capacity of not more than 500 pounds.

101.981(1)(d)3. 3. Is used exclusively for carrying materials.

101.981(1)(e) (e) “Elevator” means a hoisting or lowering machine, other than a dumbwaiter, equipped with a compartment or platform that moves in guides and serves 2 or more floors or landings of a building or structure.

101.981(1)(f) (f) “Escalator” means a power-driven, moving stairway used for raising and lowering people.

101.981(1)(g) (g) “Material hoist” means a hoist, other than a personnel hoist, that is used to raise or lower materials during construction, alteration, or demolition of a building or structure.

101.981(1)(h) (h) “Personnel hoist” means a hoist that is installed inside or outside a building or structure during the construction, alteration, or demolition of the building or structure and that is used to raise and lower workers, other personnel, and materials which the hoist is designed to carry.

101.981(2) (2) The department shall promulgate rules establishing additional definitions to the extent the department deems necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of this subchapter. The department, by rule, may modify definitions established under sub. (1). To the extent practicable, the department shall ensure that any definitions or modifications promulgated under this subsection are consistent with national, industry-wide safety standards governing matters regulated by this subchapter.

101.981 History History: 2005 a. 456; 2011 a. 32, 199, 209.

101.982 101.982 Conveyance safety code. The department shall promulgate rules establishing standards for the safe installation and operation of conveyances. In promulgating rules under this section the department shall consider the recommendations of the conveyance safety code council under s. 101.986. The rules shall be consistent, to the extent practicable, with national, industry-wide safety standards applicable to conveyances. The rules shall require any testing of conveyances or related equipment required under the rules to be performed by an elevator mechanic licensed under s. 101.985 (2). The rules shall require any person who installs a new conveyance to give the owner of the building in which the conveyance is installed, before the conveyance is placed in operation, a written certification indicating that the installation complies with the rules promulgated under this section. The rules shall include an enforcement procedure and a procedure pursuant to which the department may grant a variance from the rules if the variance would not jeopardize public safety.

101.982 History History: 2005 a. 456.

101.983 101.983 Approvals and permits for conveyances required.

101.983(1) (1) Construction, installation, and alteration.

101.983(1)(a) (a) Approval required. No person may construct, install, or alter a conveyance in this state unless an elevator contractor licensed by the department under s. 101.985 (1) has received an approval for the construction, installation, or alteration from the department.

101.983(1)(b) (b) Application. A person applying for an approval under par. (a) shall include, along with the application, copies of specifications and accurately scaled and fully dimensioned plans showing the location of the construction, installation, or alteration in relation to the plans and elevation of the building; the location of the applicable machinery room, if any, and the equipment to be constructed, installed, or altered; and all structural supporting members relevant to the construction, installation, or alteration, including foundations. The specifications and plans shall be sufficiently complete to illustrate all details of design and construction, installation, or alteration. The application shall specify all materials to be used and all loads to be supported or conveyed. The department may authorize a person to include the application and other information required under this paragraph with any submission required under s. 101.12 (1) to avoid duplicative filing of information.

101.983(1)(c) (c) Revocation. The department may revoke an approval issued under this subsection if the department finds any of the following:

101.983(1)(c)1. 1. That information submitted under par. (b) by the person obtaining the approval contains false statements or misrepresentations of material fact.

101.983(1)(c)2. 2. That the approval was issued in error.

101.983(1)(c)3. 3. That the work performed under the approval is not consistent with information submitted under par. (b) by the person obtaining the approval or is in violation of this subchapter or rules promulgated under this subchapter.

101.983(1)(d) (d) Expiration. An approval issued under this subsection expires under any of the following circumstances:

101.983(1)(d)1. 1. If the work authorized under the approval is not commenced within 6 months after the date on which the approval is issued, or within a shorter period of time as specified by the department at the time the approval is issued.

101.983(1)(d)2. 2. If the work authorized under the approval is suspended or abandoned for 60 consecutive days at any time following the commencement of the work, or for a shorter period of time as specified by the department at the time the approval is issued.

101.983(2) (2) Operating permits; inspections.

101.983(2)(a) (a) Operating permit required. No person may allow a conveyance to be operated on property owned by the person unless the person has received a permit under this subsection from the department that authorizes its operation.

101.983(2)(b) (b) Application. For a newly installed conveyance, the elevator contractor that contracted to perform the installation shall apply for the initial permit required under par. (a) on behalf of the owner of the building in which the conveyance is located. Applications for renewal of the permit shall be made by the owner.

101.983(2)(c) (c) Inspections. The department may not issue or renew a permit for a conveyance under this subsection unless the department or an independent inspector has conducted an inspection of the conveyance and has prepared an inspection report certifying that the conveyance complies with this subchapter and any applicable rules promulgated under this subchapter. Any inspection under this subsection or sub. (3) shall be performed by an inspector who is licensed under s. 101.985 (3).

101.983(2)(cm) (cm) Instruction on operation. When issuing or renewing a permit under this subsection, the department shall give the owner notice of relevant conveyance safety requirements and shall instruct the owner as to the procedure for obtaining periodic inspections and renewing the permit under which the conveyance is operated.

101.983(2)(d) (d) Term and posting requirements. A permit issued under this subsection has a term of one year. The owner of the building or residence in which a conveyance is located shall display the permit under par. (a) applicable to the conveyance on or in the conveyance or, if applicable, in the machinery room.

101.983(2)(e) (e) Exemption. This subsection does not apply to elevators or dumbwaiters that serve individual residential dwelling units.

101.983(3) (3) Inspections; individual residential dwelling units. If the owner and a prospective buyer of an individual residential dwelling unit that is served by a dumbwaiter or an elevator enter into a contract of sale for the unit that includes a provision requiring that the dumbwaiter or elevator be inspected, the inspection shall be performed by an elevator inspector licensed under s. 101.985 (3).

101.983(4) (4) Municipalities as agents. The department may appoint a city or village as its agent to do any of the following:

101.983(4)(a) (a) Issue approvals under sub. (1) (a).

101.983(4)(b) (b) Issue or renew permits under sub. (2) (a).

101.983(4)(c) (c) Conduct inspections and prepare inspection reports as provided under sub. (2) (c) and sub. (3).

101.983(4)(d) (d) Give notice and provide instruction as required under sub. (2) (cm).

101.983 History History: 2005 a. 456; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 20, 124; 2015 a. 195 s. 82.

101.984 101.984 Licenses and supervision required.

101.984(1) (1) Elevator contractor. No person may engage in the business of constructing, installing, altering, servicing, replacing, or maintaining conveyances in this state unless the person is licensed as an elevator contractor under s. 101.985 (1).

101.984(2) (2) Elevator mechanic.

101.984(2)(a) (a) Generally. Except as provided in par. (c), no individual may erect, construct, alter, replace, maintain, repair, remove, or dismantle any conveyance in this state unless the individual is licensed as an elevator mechanic under s. 101.985 (2) or is under the direct supervision of a person licensed as an elevator contractor under s. 101.985 (1).

101.984(2)(b) (b) Electrical construction. Except as provided in par. (c), no individual may wire any conveyance in this state from the mainline feeder terminals on the controller unless the individual is licensed as an elevator mechanic under s. 101.985 (2) or is under the direct supervision of a person licensed as an elevator contractor under s. 101.985 (1).

101.984(2)(c) (c) Exceptions.

101.984(2)(c)1. 1. Paragraph (a) does not apply to an individual who removes or dismantles a conveyance that is destroyed as a result of a complete demolition of a building or where the hoistway or wellway is demolished back to the basic support structure such that the hoistway or wellway is inaccessible.

101.984(2)(c)2. 2. Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to any of the following:

101.984(2)(c)2.a. a. An individual who is enrolled in and performing tasks that are within the scope of an elevator mechanic’s apprenticeship program that is approved by the U.S. department of labor or by the department of workforce development.

101.984(2)(c)2.b. b. An individual performing tasks under the direct supervision of and as a helper to an individual licensed as an elevator mechanic under s. 101.985 (2).

101.984(2)(c)2.c. c. An individual who performs work described under par. (a) or (b) during the 5-day period preceding the date on which the individual is issued an emergency elevator mechanic’s license under s. 101.985 (2) (c).

101.984(3) (3) Elevator inspector. No individual may perform an inspection of a conveyance in this state unless the individual is licensed as an elevator inspector under s. 101.985 (3).

101.984 History History: 2005 a. 456; 2013 a. 124.

101.985 101.985 Licensing qualifications and procedure.

101.985(1) (1) Elevator contractor. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the department shall issue an elevator contractor’s license to each person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the person is adequately qualified and able to engage in business as an elevator contractor. The department may summarily issue an elevator contractor’s license to a person who is licensed as an elevator contractor under the laws of another state, if, in the opinion of the department, that state’s regulation of elevator contractors is substantially the same as this state’s. Every person who applies for a license under this subsection shall provide the department with a certificate of insurance issued by one or more insurers authorized to do business in this state, indicating that the person is insured in the amount of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence because of bodily injury to or death of others, is insured in the amount of at least $500,000 per occurrence because of damage to the property of others, and is insured to the extent required under ch. 102. A person who is issued a license under this subsection shall notify the department in writing of any material change in these insurance coverages at least 10 days before the change takes effect.

101.985(2) (2) Elevator mechanics’ licenses.

101.985(2)(a) (a) Issuance. The department shall issue an elevator mechanic’s license to each individual who meets the requirements in either par. (ab) or (ad).

101.985(2)(ab) (ab) Requirements; apprenticeship and journeyman level. An individual is eligible for an elevator mechanic’s license if he or she satisfactorily completes an elevator mechanic’s apprenticeship program that is approved by the U.S. department of labor or by the department of workforce development or if he or she satisfies all of the following requirements:

101.985(2)(ab)2. 2. During the 3 years preceding the date of application, he or she was continuously employed in a position requiring the individual to perform work that is at a journeyman level and that is relevant to the erection, construction, alteration, replacement, maintenance, repair, or servicing of conveyances, as verified by the individual’s employers.