Certificates of operation; fees.

(1) The certificate of operation is valid for a period not to exceed 2 years and shall expire at the end of the period unless revoked. The department may adopt rules establishing a procedure for certificate renewal. Certificates of operation may be renewed only for vertical conveyances having a current satisfactory inspection. The owner of an elevator operating with an expired certificate of operation is in violation of this chapter. Certificate of operation renewal applications received by the department after the date of expiration of the last current certificate must be accompanied by a late fee of $50 in addition to the renewal fee and any other fees required by law. The department shall adopt by rule a fee schedule for the renewal of certificates of operation. The fees must be deposited into the Hotel and Restaurant Trust Fund.

(2) The certificate of operation must be posted in a conspicuous location on the elevator and must be framed with a transparent cover.

(3) The certificate of operation shall contain the text of s. 823.12, relating to the prohibition against smoking in elevators.

(4) In addition to subsection (3), the designation “NO SMOKING” along with the international symbol for no smoking shall be conspicuously displayed within the interior of the elevator in the plain view of the public.

(5) Except for temporary use authorized by this chapter, the operation or use of any newly installed, relocated, or altered elevator is prohibited until the elevator has passed the tests and inspections required by this chapter and a certificate of operation has been issued.

(6) The department may suspend any certificate of operation if it finds that the elevator is not in compliance with this chapter or of rules adopted under this chapter. The suspension remains in effect until the department receives satisfactory results of an inspection performed by a certified elevator inspector indicating that the elevator has been brought into compliance.