399.001 Short title and purpose.
399.03 Design, installation, and alteration of conveyances.
399.031 Clearance requirements between elevator doors for elevators inside a private residence.
399.035 Elevator accessibility requirements for the physically handicapped.
399.061 Inspections; service maintenance contracts; correction of deficiencies.
399.07 Certificates of operation; fees.
399.1061 Elevator Safety Technical Advisory Council.
399.125 Reporting of elevator accidents; penalties.
399.13 Delegation of authority to municipalities or counties.
399.15 Regional emergency elevator access.
399.16 Unlicensed activity; citations; prohibitions; penalties.
399.17 Certified elevator inspectors; registration.
399.001 Short title and purpose.—This chapter may be cited as the "Elevator Safety Act." The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the safety of life and limb and to promote public safety awareness. The use of unsafe and defective lifting devices imposes a substantial probability of serious and preventable injury and exposes employees and the public to unsafe conditions. The prevention of these injuries and the protection of employees and the public from unsafe conditions is in the best interest of the public. Elevator personnel performing work covered by the Florida Building Code must possess documented training or experience or both and be familiar with the operation and safety functions of the components and equipment. Training and experience includes, but is not limited to, recognizing the safety hazards and performing the procedures to which they are assigned in conformance with the requirements of the Florida Building Code. This chapter establishes the minimum standards for elevator personnel.
(1) "Alteration" means any change or addition to the vertical conveyance other than maintenance, repair, or replacement.
(2) "Certificate of operation" means a document issued by the department which indicates that the conveyance has had the required safety inspection and tests and that fees have been paid as provided in this chapter.
(3) "Conveyance" means an elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, moving sidewalk, platform lift, or stairway chairlift.
(5) "Division" means the Division of Hotels and Restaurants of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
(a) A hoisting and lowering mechanism, equipped with a car and platform that moves in guide rails and serves two or more landings to transport material or passengers or both.
(b) An escalator, which is a power-driven, inclined continuous stairway used for raising or lowering passengers.
(c) A dumbwaiter, which is a hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car of limited size which moves in guide rails and serves two or more landings.
(d) A moving walk, which is a type of passenger-carrying device on which passengers stand or walk and in which the passenger-carrying surface remains parallel to its direction of motion and is uninterrupted.
(e) An inclined stairway chairlift, which is a device used to transport physically handicapped persons over architectural barriers.
(f) An inclined or vertical wheelchair lift, which is a device used to transport wheelchair handicapped persons over architectural barriers.
(7) "Existing installation" means an installation defined as an "installation, existing" in the Florida Building Code.
(8) "Elevator Safety Technical Advisory Committee" means the committee appointed by the secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
(9) "Private residence" means a separate dwelling or a separate apartment in a multiple dwelling which is occupied by members of a single-family unit.
(10) "Service maintenance contract" means a contract that provides for routine examination, lubrication, cleaning, adjustment, replacement of parts, and performance of applicable code-required safety tests such as on a traction elevator and annual relief pressure test on a hydraulic elevator and any other service, repair, and maintenance sufficient to ensure the safe operation of the elevator. A service maintenance contract shall be made available upon request of the department for purposes of oversight and monitoring.
(11) "Temporary operation inspection" means an inspection performed by a certified elevator inspector, the successful passage of which permits the temporary use of a noncompliant vertical conveyance as provided by rule.
(12) "Registered elevator company" means an entity registered with and authorized by the division employing persons to construct, install, inspect, maintain, or repair any vertical conveyance. Each registered elevator company must annually register with the division and maintain general liability insurance coverage in the minimum amounts set by rule.
(13) "Certified elevator inspector" is a natural person registered with and authorized by the division to construct, install, inspect, maintain, or repair any vertical conveyance, after having properly acquired the qualified elevator inspector credential as prescribed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
(14) "Certified elevator technician" means a natural person authorized by the division to construct, install, maintain, or repair any vertical conveyance, after having been issued an elevator certificate of competency by the division. Each certified elevator technician must annually register with the division and be covered by general liability insurance coverage in the minimum amounts set by the division.
(15) "Elevator helper" means a natural person performing work under the direct supervision of an elevator certificate of competency holder to construct, install, maintain, or repair any vertical conveyance.
(16) "Elevator certificate of competency" means a credential issued by the division to any individual natural person successfully completing an examination as prescribed by rule and paying a nonrefundable fee of $50. Such credential shall be valid for and expire at the end of 1 year, and may be renewed by the division when the division receives proof of the elevator certificate of competency holder's completion of 8 hours of continuing education from a provider approved by the department and a nonrefundable renewal fee of $50. The department shall adopt by rule criteria for providing approval and procedures for continuing education reporting.
1. Four years' work experience in the construction, maintenance, service, and repair of conveyances covered by this chapter. This experience shall be verified by current or previously registered elevator companies as required by the division.
a. Proof of completion and successful passage of a written examination administered by the division or a provider approved by the division under standards it adopted by rule.
b. Proof of completion of an apprenticeship program for elevator mechanics which has standards substantially equivalent to those found in a national training program for elevator mechanics and is registered with the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training of the United States Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship authority.
c. Proof of licensure or certification by a state or local jurisdiction in the United States having standards substantially equal to or more stringent than those of this chapter.
(b) A licensed mechanical engineer whose license is in good standing may be granted an elevator certificate of competency.
All other building transportation terms are defined in the current Florida Building Code.
History.—s. 1, ch. 24096, 1947; s. 1, ch. 57-227; ss. 16, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 10, ch. 71-157; s. 1, ch. 71-228; s. 151, ch. 71-377; s. 1, ch. 81-120; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 1, 16, 17, ch. 83-145; s. 1, ch. 90-73; ss. 1, 8, ch. 93-16; s. 47, ch. 94-218; s. 6, ch. 2001-186; s. 3, ch. 2002-293; s. 6, ch. 2002-299; s. 1, ch. 2010-110.
(1) The Elevator Safety Technical Advisory Committee shall develop and submit to the Director of Hotels and Restaurants proposed revisions to the elevator safety code so that it is the same as or similar to the latest editions of ASME A17.1, ASME A17.3, and ASME A18.1.
(a) Hoisting and lowering mechanisms equipped with a car or platform which move between two or more landings. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, elevators, platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts.
(b) Power-driven stairways and walkways for carrying persons between landings. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, escalators and moving walks.
(c) Hoisting and lowering mechanisms equipped with a car which serves two or more landings and is restricted to the carrying of material by its limited size or limited access to the car. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, dumbwaiters, material lifts, and dumbwaiters with automatic-transfer devices.
(a) Personnel hoists and material hoists within the scope of ASME A10, as adopted by the Florida Building Code.
(b) Man lifts within the scope of ASME A90.1, as adopted by the Florida Building Code.
(c) Mobile scaffolds, towers, and platforms within the scope of ANSI A92, as adopted by the Florida Building Code.
(d) Powered platforms and equipment for exterior and interior maintenance within the scope of ASME A120.1, as adopted by the Florida Building Code.
(e) Conveyors and related equipment within the scope of ASME B20.1, as adopted by the Florida Building Code.
(f) Cranes, derricks, hoists, hooks, jacks, and slings within the scope of ASME B30, as adopted by the Florida Building Code.
(g) Industrial trucks within the scope of ASME B56, as adopted by the Florida Building Code.
(h) Portable equipment, except for portable escalators that are covered by the Florida Building Code.
(i) Tiered or piling machines used to move materials to and from storage located and operating entirely within one story.
(j) Equipment for feeding or positioning materials at machine tools and printing presses.
(k) Skip or furnace hoists.
(m) Railroad car lifts or dumpers.
(n) Line jacks, false cars, shafters, moving platforms, and similar equipment used for installing an elevator by a contractor licensed in this state.
(o) Automated people movers at airports.
(p) Elevators in television and radio towers.
(r) Sewage pump station lifts.
(t) Equipment covered in s. 1.1.2 of the Elevator Safety Code.
(u) Elevators, inclined stairway chairlifts, and inclined or vertical wheelchair lifts located in private residences.
(4) Each elevator shall have a serial number assigned by the department painted on or attached to the elevator car in plain view and also to the driving mechanism. This serial number shall be shown on all required certificates and permits.
(5)(a) The construction permitholder is responsible for the correction of violations and deficiencies until the elevator has been inspected and a certificate of operation has been issued by the department. The construction permitholder is responsible for all tests of new and altered equipment until the elevator has been inspected and a certificate of operation has been issued by the department.
(b) The elevator owner is responsible for the safe operation, proper maintenance, and inspection and correction of code deficiencies of the elevator after a certificate of operation has been issued by the department. The responsibilities of the elevator owner may be assigned by lease.
(6)(a) The department is empowered to carry out all of the provisions of this chapter relating to the inspection and regulation of elevators and to enforce the provisions of the Florida Building Code. The division shall adopt rules to administer this chapter.
(b) In order to perform its duties and responsibilities under this section, the division may enter and have reasonable access to all buildings and rooms or spaces in which an existing or newly installed conveyance and equipment are located.
(7) The Elevator Safety Technical Advisory Committee shall annually review the provisions of the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators ASME A17.1, ASME A18.1, or other related model codes and amendments thereto, concurrent with the update of the Florida Building Code and recommend to the Florida Building Commission revisions to the Florida Building Code to maintain the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare.
(8) The division may grant variances for undue hardship pursuant to s. 120.542 and the rules adopted under this section. Such rules must include a process for requests for variances. The division may not grant a request for a variance unless it finds that the variance will not adversely affect the safety of the public.
(9) Updates to the Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators, ASME A17.1 and A17.3, which require Phase II Firefighters' Service on elevators may not be enforced until the elevator is replaced or requires major modification on elevators in condominiums or multifamily residential buildings, including those that are part of a continuing care facility licensed under chapter 651, or similar retirement community with apartments, having a certificate of occupancy by the local building authority that was issued before July 1, 2008. This exception does not prevent an elevator owner from requesting a variance from the applicable codes. This subsection does not prohibit the division from granting variances pursuant to s. 120.542 and subsection (8). The division shall adopt rules to administer this subsection.
History.—s. 2, ch. 24096, 1947; s. 2, ch. 57-227; ss. 16, 35, ch. 69-106; ss. 2, 3, 4, ch. 71-228; s. 1, ch. 74-17; s. 4, ch. 77-109; s. 3, ch. 78-235; s. 2, ch. 81-120; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 2, 16, 17, ch. 83-145; s. 2, ch. 90-73; ss. 2, 8, ch. 93-16; s. 224, ch. 96-406; s. 24, ch. 2000-141; ss. 7, 34, ch. 2001-186; s. 3, ch. 2001-372; s. 4, ch. 2002-293; s. 7, ch. 2002-299; s. 2, ch. 2010-110; s. 1, ch. 2010-174; s. 2, ch. 2010-176; s. 1, ch. 2013-188.
(a) The distance between the hoistway face of the hoistway doors and the hoistway edge of the landing sill may not exceed 3/4 inch for swinging doors and 21/4 inches for sliding doors.
(b)1. Horizontal sliding car doors and gates shall be designed and installed to withstand a force of 75 pounds applied horizontally on an area 4 inches by 4 inches at right angles to and at any location on the car door without permanent deformation. The deflection may not exceed 3/4 inch and may not displace the door from its guides or tracks. The force must be applied while the door is in the fully closed position.
2. Folding car doors shall be designed and installed to withstand a force of 75 pounds applied horizontally using a 4-inch-diameter sphere at any location within the folds on the car door without permanent deformation. The deflection may not exceed 3/4 inch and may not displace the door from its guides or tracks. The force must be applied while the door is in the fully closed position.
1. If a power-operated horizontally sliding hoistway and car doors are used, the measurement between the leading edge of the doors or sight guard, if provided, may not exceed 4 inches. If it is possible for a user to detach or disconnect either door from the operator and such detachment or disconnection allows the user to operate the door manually, the requirement in subparagraph 5. applies.
2. If swinging hoistway doors and folding car doors are used and both doors are in the fully closed position, the space between the hoistway door and the folding door must reject a 4-inch-diameter sphere at all points.
3. If swinging hoistway doors and car gates are used, the space between the hoistway door and the car gate must reject a 4-inch-diameter sphere at all points.
4. If the car doors are powered and arranged so that they cannot be closed until after the hoistway door is closed, and the car doors automatically open when the car is at a landing and the hoistway door is opened, the measurement between the hoistway face of the hoistway door and the hoistway face of the car door at its leading edge may not exceed 4 inches. If it is possible for a user to detach or disconnect either door from the operator and such detachment or disconnection allows the user to operate the door manually, the requirement in subparagraph 5. applies.
5. If swinging or horizontally sliding hoistway doors and manual horizontally sliding car doors are used and both doors are in the fully closed position, the space between the swinging or horizontally sliding hoistway door and the manual horizontally sliding car doors must reject a 4-inch-diameter sphere at all points.
(3) During normal operation, the elevator controller must monitor the closed and locked contacts of the hoistway door locking device, whether electrical or mechanical. If the closed and locked contacts of the landing locks are open while the car is not in the unlocking zone for the hoistway door locking device, the elevator controller must interrupt power to the motor and brake and must not allow the elevator car to restart until the owner or the owner's agent, with a master elevator key, has checked for obstructions above and below the elevator car, returned the hoistway door locking device contacts to the normal operating position, and manually reset the elevator controller with the master elevator key. Additionally, a visual indicator must be visible at all landings until the hoistway door locking device has been returned to the normal operating position and the elevator controller has been manually reset.
(4) This section applies to all new elevators in a private residence.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2016-211; s. 1, ch. 2017-97.
(a) In a building having any elevators that do not provide access to every floor level, elevator hallway call buttons on all main levels of ingress and on any floor that is commonly served by more than one group of elevators must be marked with Arabic and braille symbols that indicate floor levels to which access is provided. The symbols must be placed directly above each call button.
(b) Each elevator car interior must have a support rail on at least one wall. All support rails must be smooth and have no sharp edges and must not be more than 11/2 inches thick or 21/2 inches in diameter. Support rails must be continuous and a minimum length of 42 inches overall. The inside surface of support rails must be 11/2 inches clear of the car wall. The distance from the top of the support rail to the finished car floor must be at least 31 inches and not more than 33 inches. Padded or tufted material or decorative materials such as wallpaper, vinyl, cloth, or the like may not be used on support rails.
(c) Each elevator covered by this section must be available to be used at any time to assist the physically handicapped in an emergency evacuation. The requirements of the latest revision of s. 2.27 of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard ASME A17.1 must be complied with to meet the requirements of this paragraph.
(d) Interior surface of car enclosures must be of fire-resistive material, and walls must be surfaced with nonabrasive material. All materials exposed to the car interior must conform to the standards of the Elevator Safety Code.
(e) A bench or seat may be installed on the rear wall of the elevator car enclosure, if the bench or seat does not protrude beyond the vertical plane of the elevator car enclosure wall when folded into a recess provided for the bench or seat and, when not in use, the bench or seat automatically folds into the recess. The bench or seat must be capable of supporting a live load of at least 250 pounds on any 12-inch by 12-inch area. A padded, tufted, or other decorative material may not be used to cover the bench or seat; nor may the bench or seat encroach on the minimum clear-inside-car dimensions specified in this section.
(2) Any building that is more than three stories high or in which the vertical distance between the bottom terminal landing and the top terminal landing exceeds 25 feet must be constructed to contain at least one passenger elevator that is operational and will accommodate an ambulance stretcher 76 inches long and 24 inches wide in the horizontal position.
(3) This section applies only to elevators available for the transportation of the public. This section does not apply to elevators restricted by key or similar device to a limited number of persons in a building that has an elevator that otherwise meets the requirements of this section or to elevators used only for the transportation of freight. However, elevators that are used as freight and passenger elevators for the public and employees must comply with this section. This section does not apply to dumbwaiters or escalators.
(4) This section supersedes all other state laws and regulations and local ordinances and rules affecting the accessibility of passenger elevators to the physically handicapped, and the standards established by this section may not be modified by municipal or county ordinance.
History.—s. 1, ch. 78-235; ss. 1, 3, ch. 80-383; s. 3, ch. 81-120; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 1, 2, ch. 82-183; ss. 4, 16, 17, ch. 83-145; s. 3, ch. 85-236; s. 3, ch. 90-73; ss. 3, 8, ch. 93-16; s. 48, ch. 94-218; s. 1, ch. 96-384; s. 3, ch. 2010-110.
(a) Any false statement as to a material matter in an application for registration, certification, or any permit or certificate issued under this chapter.
(b) Fraud, misrepresentation, or bribery in the practice of the profession.
(c) Failure by a certified elevator inspector to provide the department and the certificate of operation holder with a copy of the inspection report within 5 days after the date of any inspection performed after the initial certificate of operation is issued.
(d) Violation of any provision of this chapter.
(e) Failure by a certified elevator inspector to maintain his or her qualified elevator inspector credential in good standing.
(f) Having a license to install, inspect, maintain, or repair any vertical conveyance revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against, including the denial of licensure, by the licensing authority of another state, territory, or county.
(g) Engaging in fraud or deceit, negligence, incompetency, or misconduct in the practice of the profession.
(2) Any disciplinary action taken under this chapter must comply with chapter 120 and any rules adopted thereunder.
History.—s. 9, ch. 2001-186; s. 6, ch. 2002-293; s. 9, ch. 2002-299; s. 4, ch. 2010-110.
(1)(a) All elevators or other conveyances subject to this chapter must be annually inspected by a certified elevator inspector or by a municipality or county under contract with the division pursuant to s. 399.13. If the elevator is not an escalator or a dumbwaiter, serves only two adjacent floors, and is covered by a service maintenance contract, an inspection is not required so long as the service contract remains in effect.
(b) A statement verifying the existence and performance of each service maintenance contract must be filed at least annually with the division and as prescribed by rule. Cancellation of a service maintenance contract must be reported to the division as prescribed by rule.
(2) The division may employ state elevator inspectors to inspect an elevator whenever necessary to ensure its safe operation. The division may also employ state elevator inspectors to conduct any inspections required by this chapter and may charge a fee for each inspection in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of that inspection, as provided by rule, when a private certified elevator inspector is not available. Each state elevator inspector shall be properly qualified as a certified elevator inspector.
(3) Whenever the division determines from the results of any inspection that, in the interest of the public safety, an elevator is in an unsafe condition, the division may seal the elevator or order the discontinuance of the use of the elevator until the division determines by inspection that such elevator has been satisfactorily repaired or replaced so that the elevator may be operated in a safe manner.
(4) When the division determines that an elevator is in violation of this chapter or the Florida Building Code, the division may issue an order to the elevator owner requiring correction of the violation and reinspection of the elevator evidencing the correction.
(5) A certified elevator inspector or registered elevator company shall, upon the written request of the department, provide a written response that explains the inspection procedures and applications used to prepare an inspection report that was found by the department to contain errors or omissions of code violations or tests.
History.—s. 10, ch. 81-120; ss. 7, 17, ch. 83-145; s. 1, ch. 85-236; s. 36, ch. 87-225; s. 5, ch. 90-73; s. 8, ch. 93-16; s. 26, ch. 2000-141; s. 4, ch. 2000-356; s. 10, ch. 2001-186; s. 7, ch. 2002-293; s. 10, ch. 2002-299; s. 5, ch. 2010-110.
(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.
History.—s. 7, ch. 24096, 1947; s. 11, ch. 25035, 1949; ss. 16, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 11, ch. 71-228; s. 2, ch. 74-115; s. 11, ch. 81-120; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 8, 16, 17, ch. 83-145; s. 6, ch. 90-73; ss. 6, 8, ch. 93-16; s. 11, ch. 2001-186; s. 8, ch. 2002-293; s. 11, ch. 2002-299.
399.10 Enforcement of law.—It shall be the duty of the department to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The department shall have rulemaking authority to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
History.—s. 10, ch. 24096, 1947; ss. 16, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 12, ch. 81-120; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 9, 16, 17, ch. 83-145; s. 8, ch. 93-16; s. 12, ch. 2001-186.
(1) Any person who fails to comply with the reporting requirements of this chapter or with the reasonable requests of the department to determine whether the provisions of a service maintenance contract and its implementation ensure safe elevator operation is subject to an administrative fine not greater than $1,000 in addition to any other penalty provided by law.
(2) Any person who commences the operation, installation, relocation, or alteration of any elevator for which a permit or certificate is required by this chapter without having obtained from the department the permit or certificate is subject to an administrative fine not greater than $1,000 in addition to any other penalty provided by law.
(3) An elevator owner who continues to operate an elevator after notice to discontinue its use or after it has been sealed by the department is subject to an administrative fine not greater than $1,000 for each day the elevator has been operated after the service of the notice or sealing by the department, in addition to any other penalty provided by law.
(4) An elevator owner who fails to comply with an order to correct issued under s. 399.061(4) within 90 days after its issuance is subject, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, to an administrative fine in an amount not to exceed $1,000.
(5) All administrative fines collected shall be deposited into the Hotel and Restaurant Trust Fund.
History.—ss. 2, 7, 10, 16, 17, ch. 83-145; ss. 7, 8, ch. 93-16; s. 13, ch. 2001-186; s. 9, ch. 2002-293; s. 12, ch. 2002-299; s. 6, ch. 2010-110.
(1) The Elevator Safety Technical Advisory Council is created within the division and shall consist of eight members appointed by the secretary of the department who meet the following criteria: one representative from a major elevator manufacturing company or its authorized representative; one representative from an elevator servicing company; one representative from a building design profession; one representative of the general public; one representative of a local government in this state; one representative of a building owner or manager; one representative of labor involved in the installation, maintenance, and repair of elevators; and one representative who is a certified elevator inspector from a private inspection service. The council shall provide technical assistance to the division in support of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public and shall give the division the benefit of the council members' knowledge and experience concerning the industries and individual businesses affected by the laws and rules administered by the division.
(2)(a) The council members shall serve 4-year terms, except that, to provide for staggered terms, four of the initial appointees, as specified by rule, shall serve 2-year terms. All subsequent appointments shall be for 4-year terms. The council shall appoint one of the members to serve as chair.
(b) The council members shall serve without compensation, except that the members may be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.
(3) The council may consult with engineering authorities and organizations concerned with standard safety codes for recommendations to the department regarding rules for the operation, maintenance, servicing, construction, alteration, installation, or inspection of vertical conveyances subject to this chapter.
(1) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or the rules of the department is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) Any person who falsely represents himself or herself as credentialed under this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
History.—s. 11, ch. 24096, 1947; s. 10, ch. 26484, 1951; s. 4, ch. 65-421; ss. 16, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 346, ch. 71-136; s. 13, ch. 81-120; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 5, 10, 16, 17, ch. 83-145; s. 71, ch. 91-224; s. 8, ch. 93-16; s. 757, ch. 95-148; s. 15, ch. 2001-186.
(a) For each building in this state which is six or more stories in height, including, but not limited to, hotels and condominiums, on which a building permit is issued after September 30, 2006, all of the keys for elevators that allow public access, including, but not limited to, service and freight elevators, must be keyed so as to allow all elevators within each of the seven state emergency response regions to operate in fire emergency situations with one master elevator key.
(b) Any building in this state which is six or more stories in height and has undergone "substantial improvement" as defined in s. 161.54(12) must also comply with paragraph (a).
(2) Each existing building in this state which is six or more stories in height must comply with subsection (1) before October 1, 2009.
(4) If it is technically, financially, or physically impossible to bring a building into compliance with this section, the local fire marshal may allow substitute emergency measures that will provide reasonable emergency elevator access. The local fire marshal's decision regarding substitute measures may be appealed to the State Fire Marshal.
(5) The Division of State Fire Marshal of the Department of Financial Services shall enforce this section. Any person who fails to comply with the requirements of this section is subject to an administrative fine of not more than $1,000, in addition to any other penalty provided by law. All administrative fines shall be deposited into the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund.
(6) Builders should make every effort to use new technology and developments in keying systems which make it possible to convert existing equipment so as to provide efficient regional emergency elevator access.
(7) As an alternative to complying with the requirements of subsection (1), each building in this state which is required to meet the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) may instead provide for the installation of a uniform lock box that contains the keys to all elevators in the building allowing public access, including service and freight elevators. The uniform lock box must be keyed to allow all uniform lock boxes in each of the seven state emergency response regions to operate in fire emergency situations using one master key. The master key for the uniform lock shall be issued in accordance with subsection (3). The Division of State Fire Marshal of the Department of Financial Services shall enforce this subsection.
(8) The Department of Financial Services shall adopt rules to implement this section, including rules to determine the master elevator key to be used within each of the emergency response regions.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-12; s. 2, ch. 2006-65; s. 3, ch. 2010-176.
(1) The division may issue a citation for unlicensed activity upon a finding of probable cause that activity requiring a permit, certificate, or license is being performed without a valid permit, certificate, or license. The citation constitutes a stop work order that may be enforced by the division.
(a) The citation shall be in a form prescribed by rule. The division may adopt rules to administer this section, including a schedule of penalties.
(b) The division shall issue a citation to the owner of an unlicensed elevator, to unlicensed elevator personnel, or to the owner of an unregistered elevator company.
(c) The activity for which a citation is issued shall cease upon receipt of the citation, and the person who receives the citation must correct the violation and respond to the civil penalty, which may not exceed $1,000 per violation, or request an administrative hearing pursuant to chapter 120.
(2) Each day that a violation continues constitutes a separate violation.
(3) The remedies in this section are not exclusive and may be imposed in addition to other remedies in this chapter.
399.17 Certified elevator inspectors; registration.—Each certified elevator inspector must annually register with the division and provide proof of completion of 8 hours of continuing education, proof of good standing, and proof of general liability insurance coverage in the minimum amounts established by the division. The registration must remain in good standing throughout the license year.


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https://www.profitconfidential.com/stock/baba-stock-this-is-what-everyones-missing-about-alibaba-stock/ BABA Stock: This Is What Everyone's Missing About Alibaba Stock Alessandro Bruno, BA, MA Profit Confidential 2016-03-23T05:30:09Z 2017-07-21 04:09:41 Alibaba Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd Alibaba stock BABA NYSE:BABA BABA stock Amazon.com Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:BABA) stock has big upside potential. Here's the full story. Alibaba Stock,Stocks https://www.profitconfidential.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BABA-Stock1.jpg
Alibaba Stock Doesn't Reflect Growth Potential
Since 2014, Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:BABA) has struggled to maintain its promise on Wall Street. Alibaba stock reached a peak in November 2014, when it traded around $115.00 per share. However, even though China's e-commerce giant's fundamentals have only improved since nearly two years ago, the market has not translated this into a bullish run for Alibaba. However, it's just a matter of time until that happens. Indeed, Alibaba is poised for a surge over the course of 2016. The main reason for optimism in BABA stock is that Alibaba has seen strong growth despite its size. Alibaba simply keeps growing like a startup even though it is a giant. Alibaba is like Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed all rolled into one. This is unusual. The pace of growth for a behemoth of Alibaba's caliber is simply much higher than similarly sized companies. Alibaba has a nearly 80% market share in China's e-commerce business. (Source: "How Alibaba is Working Towards Establishing Itself in the U.S.?" Forbes, February 25, 2016.) Meanwhile, Alibaba added some 32% to its revenue year-over-year to $5.33 billion in the most recent quarter. Gross merchandise volume (GMV) rose 23% year-over-year, while it also saw annual active buyers on its e-commerce platform exceeding 400 million. (Source: "Alibaba Group Announces December Quarter 2015 Results," Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, January 28, 2016.) It's not all about growth. BABA stock should be trading at a more bullish level because Alibaba has also charged a higher commission rate to sellers per transaction. The rate, also known as monetization rate, has increased to 2.98% year-over-year. This maximizes the results of the fast pace of user growth. Therefore, nobody should gasp upon learning that Alibaba has exceeded three trillion yuan ($476 billion) in the volume of transactions (aka GMV, gross merchandise volume) in its fiscal year ending at the end of March 2016. A year ago, GMV was 2.44 trillion yuan, representing an increase of some 23.0%. In sum, Alibaba has tripled since 2012, when it first reached one trillion yuan. Alibaba can now afford to offer "quality" growth and expand domestic consumption in China. (Source: Alibaba annual transaction volumes cross 3 trillion yuan, but growth slows," Reuters, March 21, 2016.) Executive Vice Chairman Joe Tsai explained that Alibaba's growing GMV reflected China's shift away from investment and export-led growth and toward consumption and services, with Alibaba "at the heart of this new economy." (Source: Ibid.) Maintaining the startup's feeling, Alibaba is adapting to its evolution and changing the market at a brisk pace. Over 2015, Alibaba has stepped up efforts to bring producers and quality brands to its platform, especially where foreign imports are concerned. The "Rural Taobao" initiative has reached more than 12,000 of China's 600,000 villages to introduce everyday items, enjoyed by the majority, to the country's rural citizens. (Source: Ibid.) In February, Alibaba disclosed it has a 5.6% stake in Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN). Moreover, it also has stakes in online retailer Jet.com and Uber rival Lyft Inc. (Source: "Groupon Soars Again, This Time After Alibaba's 5.6% Stake," Bloomberg, February 16, 2016.) Groupon, in particular, is going to teach Alibaba some close-up lessons about the U.S. consumer market. Alibaba already has a platform for global online shoppers with AliExpress. However, it's yet to take the main stage—or perhaps it's not yet ready to offer a strong challenge to the likes of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN). Alibaba is already testing the Indian e-commerce market. The company plans to gain a foothold in India's rising e-commerce phenomenon, growing at more than 50%. Alibaba has already invested in Paytm and Snapdeal to win market share in the growing Indian e-commerce segment. India's e-commerce market could be worth 38.0 billion marks in 2016, a 67% surge over the 23.0 billion marks of 2015, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry. (Source: "Alibaba All Set To Enter Indian Ecommerce Market By End of 2016; Govt. Promises 'Full Support'," Trak.in, March 21, 2016.) Alibaba is considering a partnership with the Tata Group to challenge Amazon.com itself in India. (Source: "Alibaba may tie-up with Tata Group to enter Indian e-commerce space," BGR, March 21, 2016.) In short, Alibaba is growing faster than anyone could have expected, given its size. It already has what it needs to expand beyond China's borders. Perhaps that is what most people are missing about Alibaba stock. China remains the focus, but Alibaba has already sent the market signals of its global ambitions.
By Alessandro Bruno, BA, MA
Alessandro Bruno, BA, MA
Bombardier Stock: Is Bombardier, Inc. Ready to Take Off Again?
NVDA Stock: NVIDIA Stock Could Hit $100 If It Can Pull This Off
Alibaba Stock: Here's Why the Bears Are Wrong on Alibaba
BABA Stock: This Is What Everyone's Missing About Alibaba Stock
By Alessandro Bruno, BA, MA Published : March 23, 2016
Since 2014, Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:BABA) has struggled to maintain its promise on Wall Street. Alibaba stock reached a peak in November 2014, when it traded around $115.00 per share. However, even though China's e-commerce giant's fundamentals have only improved since nearly two years ago, the market has not translated this into a bullish run for Alibaba. However, it's just a matter of time until that happens. Indeed, Alibaba is poised for a surge over the course of 2016.
The main reason for optimism in BABA stock is that Alibaba has seen strong growth despite its size. Alibaba simply keeps growing like a startup even though it is a giant. Alibaba is like Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed all rolled into one. This is unusual. The pace of growth for a behemoth of Alibaba's caliber is simply much higher than similarly sized companies.
Alibaba has a nearly 80% market share in China's e-commerce business. (Source: "How Alibaba is Working Towards Establishing Itself in the U.S.?" Forbes, February 25, 2016.) Meanwhile, Alibaba added some 32% to its revenue year-over-year to $5.33 billion in the most recent quarter. Gross merchandise volume (GMV) rose 23% year-over-year, while it also saw annual active buyers on its e-commerce platform exceeding 400 million. (Source: "Alibaba Group Announces December Quarter 2015 Results," Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, January 28, 2016.)
It's not all about growth. BABA stock should be trading at a more bullish level because Alibaba has also charged a higher commission rate to sellers per transaction. The rate, also known as monetization rate, has increased to 2.98% year-over-year. This maximizes the results of the fast pace of user growth. Therefore, nobody should gasp upon learning that Alibaba has exceeded three trillion yuan ($476 billion) in the volume of transactions (aka GMV, gross merchandise volume) in its fiscal year ending at the end of March 2016. A year ago, GMV was 2.44 trillion yuan, representing an increase of some 23.0%.
In sum, Alibaba has tripled since 2012, when it first reached one trillion yuan. Alibaba can now afford to offer "quality" growth and expand domestic consumption in China. (Source: Alibaba annual transaction volumes cross 3 trillion yuan, but growth slows," Reuters, March 21, 2016.) Executive Vice Chairman Joe Tsai explained that Alibaba's growing GMV reflected China's shift away from investment and export-led growth and toward consumption and services, with Alibaba "at the heart of this new economy." (Source: Ibid.)
Maintaining the startup's feeling, Alibaba is adapting to its evolution and changing the market at a brisk pace. Over 2015, Alibaba has stepped up efforts to bring producers and quality brands to its platform, especially where foreign imports are concerned. The "Rural Taobao" initiative has reached more than 12,000 of China's 600,000 villages to introduce everyday items, enjoyed by the majority, to the country's rural citizens. (Source: Ibid.)
In February, Alibaba disclosed it has a 5.6% stake in Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN). Moreover, it also has stakes in online retailer Jet.com and Uber rival Lyft Inc. (Source: "Groupon Soars Again, This Time After Alibaba's 5.6% Stake," Bloomberg, February 16, 2016.)
Groupon, in particular, is going to teach Alibaba some close-up lessons about the U.S. consumer market. Alibaba already has a platform for global online shoppers with AliExpress. However, it's yet to take the main stage—or perhaps it's not yet ready to offer a strong challenge to the likes of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN).
Alibaba is already testing the Indian e-commerce market. The company plans to gain a foothold in India's rising e-commerce phenomenon, growing at more than 50%. Alibaba has already invested in Paytm and Snapdeal to win market share in the growing Indian e-commerce segment. India's e-commerce market could be worth 38.0 billion marks in 2016, a 67% surge over the 23.0 billion marks of 2015, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry. (Source: "Alibaba All Set To Enter Indian Ecommerce Market By End of 2016; Govt. Promises 'Full Support'," Trak.in, March 21, 2016.)
Alibaba is considering a partnership with the Tata Group to challenge Amazon.com itself in India. (Source: "Alibaba may tie-up with Tata Group to enter Indian e-commerce space," BGR, March 21, 2016.)
In short, Alibaba is growing faster than anyone could have expected, given its size. It already has what it needs to expand beyond China's borders. Perhaps that is what most people are missing about Alibaba stock. China remains the focus, but Alibaba has already sent the market signals of its global ambitions.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
The NECC/Cs play a key role in ensuring the implementation, operation and quality assurance of the EuroVelo routes on the regional and national level. Despite the challenges of 2020, many of the NECC/Cs recorded some significant successes over the past months in a range of areas, including infrastructure developments, new signing, and promotion and marketing activities. That these were of benefit of the users can be of no doubt, as the increases in the numbers of users recorded in France or Hungary over the summer for example show.
New route
Cycling on EuroVelo 14 - Waters of Central Europe
One of the most significant developments in 2020 was the addition of a whole new route to the network in June. Running through Austria and Hungary, EuroVelo 14 – Waters of Central Europe provides an important east–west link and connects several existing EuroVelo routes. Radlobby and the Cycling Coordination Department of the Hungarian Ministry of National Development, the NECC/Cs in the two countries, made sure the countless rivers, lakes and spas along the itinerary are ready to explore by fully signing the route and providing dedicated website for the Austrian and Hungarian section of EuroVelo 14.
Photo by Marc Gash
The NECC/Cs are working to improve the EuroVelo routes with the aim to offer high quality cycling experiences across the continent. The 17 EuroVelo routes are in different stages of development. While for some sections improving the continuity of the routes or upgrading the surface is the next step in development, other routes are very close to or have already been certified as being a high-quality route according to the European Certification Standard (ECS). Therefore, different activities have been carried out for route development, including:
On EuroVelo 1 – Atlantic Coast Route in Ireland, construction have started on a 33 km long Greenway linking Derry to Buncrana in County Donegal. Furthermore, the implementation process of the extension of the southern end of the route has also been started. The current end point in Caminha in Portugal will move north to Fisterra in Galicia, Spain.
EuroVelo 3 – Pilgrims Route will also end in Fisterra in Spain to meet EuroVelo 1, bridging a gap in the EuroVelo network. The work necessary has recently started and is expected to be finished at the end of 2021/beginning of 2022.
On EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean Route in Turkey, 58 km of new cycle paths are under construction in the Izmir Provence.
On EuroVelo 9 – Baltic-Adriatic in Poland, 100 km of new cycle paths in the Pomeranian Voivodeship have been constructed.
On EuroVelo 11 – East Europe Route in Hungary, the cycle path around Lake Tisza including a bridge crossing the lake has been completed.
New signage along the EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route
A central part to the quality of the EuroVelo routes, and indeed any national or regional cycle route network, is signage. In 2020, NECC/Cs continued signing the EuroVelo network with the official EuroVelo route information panels. The easily recognisable signs allow cyclists to follow the itineraries across national borders without missing a turn. Here are a selection of the updates in this category:
EuroVelo 5 – Via Romea (Francigena) has been fully signposted along its section in Wallonia.
EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean Route in Spain has received new signage along its itinerary. Over 100 kilometres have been signed in Andalusia and in Catalonia respectively. New EuroVelo 8 - Mediterranean Route signs also went up in Koper in Slovenia.
EuroVelo 12 – North Sea Cycle Route is now fully signed along the Belgian and Dutch section of the route.
Websites and webtools
Screenshot of new Croatian EuroVelo 8 website
In 2020, NECC/Cs also worked on improving their online infrastructure offering cyclists all sorts of information about the EuroVelo routes on a national level.
For EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean Route in Croatia, a brand-new website has been developed offering a range of useful tools and information in one place.
EuroVelo.hu was launched to offer detailed information and news about the EuroVelo routes crossing Hungary: EuroVelo 6 – Atlantic-Black Sea, EuroVelo 11 – East Europe Route, EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail and the new EuroVelo 14 – Waters of Central Europe.
An interactive map providing all sorts of information on the three EuroVelo routes running through Spain (EuroVelo 1 – Atlantic Coast Route, EuroVelo 3 – Pilgrims Route and EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean Route).
More creative and sometimes necessary activities to further enrich and improve touring the EuroVelo network have been undergone in the last year. Here are a few examples:
On EuroVelo 6 – Atlantic-Black Sea in Hungary, a pilot project of a solar-charged glowing bike path has started near Esztergom.
Along EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean Route in Turkey, several bike pumps and other cycling tools have been installed.
To secure travelling EuroVelo 12 – North Sea Cycle Route in the Netherlands, special bicycle buses have been made available over the Afsluitdijk, a major dam and causeway along the route which is closed for cyclists due to construction works.
Along with countless other activities elsewhere along the network, these NECC/Cs' efforts have made a real difference and will be appreciated by users. ECF is grateful for the rich and fruitful collaboration with our national partners and is looking forward to following their developments over the coming twelve months.
Author: Jonathan Hirschhäuser
NECC/Cs Application Form


text:
The Adventures of Captain Slow and Scooter Boy
Words by : Benjamin Gracias Photography by : Roshni Manghani 45 Dec 18, 2021
Our very own dynamic duo head out in search of adventure... And find it!
Last month Ishan and Roshni headed out to the outskirts of Pune for a weekend of proper camping. Despite wanting to accompany the duo, I had to take a rain check, due to prior commitments. But then listening to their experiences and checking out the images they came back with, it did not take long for FOMO to set in. I've had my share of camping though. It was the first edition of the RFC and we were in the deep jungles of Goa, at the peak of the monsoons, for two days. But the said experience felt more like a survival boot camp. This time I was in the mood for something more sedate. And the arrival of my new long termer, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 compelled me to consider camping. After all, the Classic name is synonymous with Ladakh. Surely it can spend a night in the wilderness. I have the dream, I have the motorcycle. Now I just need a scapegoat to accompany me. And in walks Ishan!
Most of you do not know this about Ishan. In a previous life he used to organise motorcycle tours, in India and abroad. A dyed in the wool outdoorsy guy, Ishan seemed to be the perfect companion. But he seems less than impressed about spending the weekend out executing my adventure, so I do what needs to be done. Threats of overtime and washing cars for a month do the trick. Now to get my sidekick an appropriate mode of transport. Ishan loves adventure motorcycles and our long term Himalayan would be best suited for the job, so I toss him the keys to the Aprilia SXR 160. We don't want to make it easy for him, do we?
Our adventure starts on a lazy Saturday afternoon. The Royal Enfield's saddlebags are filled with camping essentials like mosquito repellent, toothbrush and a bar of soap. Ishan shows up on the scooter with a tent and spare underwear. Clearly, we are taking this camping plan seriously.
Our destination is 100km out of Pune and the route is a mix of well surfaced highways and B-roads. The Classic 350 and SXR 160 are both adept at touring and sustaining highway speeds. My Classic 350 comes with Royal Enfield's GMA accessories such as a large windshield, wide footpegs, touring seats with a backrest and mirrors. The windshield helps keep the wind off your chest but is quite close to you. My favourite bit though is the plush touring seat, which made the ride quite comfortable with its supportive cushioning. The upright riding position works, though I would prefer a slightly taller handlebar. Ishan seems happy with the Aprilia SXR 160 too. We have taken the SXR touring before and its wide seat and overall size coupled with the 12-inch wheels make long rides comfortable.
The smooth, four lane highway soon turns into a two lane cement road and further into a broken, single lane road. While the Classic takes the ruts and potholes well, I can see Ishan bouncing on his SXR given the firm suspension. A few kilometres in, Ishan motions me to turn right into a thicket of trees. I look at him quizzically, as he rides into said trees and disappears like a bunny rabbit. I follow him and see a narrow path meant for walking. We ride through overgrown brush and navigate fallen logs to reach a clearing. The view ahead looks like the African Savannah I grew up watching on National Geographic. Vast plains with swaying grass tall enough to hide an elephant, let alone a lion. Thankfully we have neither.
Knowing the trail, Ishan rides blindly into the bush and I have no choice but to trust and follow him. There are two problems while standing up and riding the Classic. The handlebar needs to be taller but the bigger issue is the windscreen which is too close to your neck and can hurt you if you go over a large rut. As we head up and down a hillock, the path ahead has been carved due to rains and hardened now. I have a tough time keeping the Classic's front wheel in check as it jumps in and out of the natural channel. Is this Ishan's way of getting back at me for forcing him to take a scooter touring? The Classic 350 surprises Ishan too though, with its 350cc motor chugging through the steep climbs without the need to slip the clutch and the large wheels finding traction despite the road biased tyres. There is no getting around its weight though and it is a proper workout on trails.
Our 'Scooter Boy' seems at ease on the trails while I am wheezing and drenched inside my helmet and gear. This is my hardest workout in two years! I call for a break, to also take in the view. It's a beautiful location and it would be a shame if we didn't sit back and enjoy our surroundings.
Nature can be harsh and get back at you in ways you cannot imagine. Riding through the brush has tiny twigs the size of thorns get inside my riding gear and socks, through waterproof boots! They are no worse than thorns and poke in the most inconvenient of places. Finally, we reach a clearing, post sunset and an hour later I figure out the correct way to pitch my tent. Ishan goes in search of firewood and I tell him to look out for wild animals. He laughs and says we only need to worry about rodents and snakes. That's reassuring. A dinner of noodles later I call it a day, exhausted.
I am woken up sooner than I like though, by a loud, bratty exhaust note and one that sounds familiar. I peek outside to see a white Himalayan slide past, followed by Ishan. ON MY CLASSIC 350! Scooter Boy has suckered me into an adventure of his own! I'm too tired to get out though. I zip up my tent, try going back to sleep, muttering to myself, "This shall not go unpunished!"
Benjamin Gracias
An engineer by profession, but a hardcore motorcyclist by passion, Ben has been a road tester for over four years and an automotive journalist for seven years! Ben looks at motorcycles from a perspective the normal human doesn't and he is one of the best storytellers we've come across. Oh also, Ben is one of the biggest animal lovers we know!


* a symbol of the old magic & ancient wisdom.
Because the ancients believed the spirit of the Cypress was eternal, they were traditionally planted in graveyards as GUARDIANS of the dead. And their roots went deep, and so absorbed the knowledge and wisdom of all those buried there. The Cypress stands for deep, accumulated wisdom over time.
"I must admit I am both captivated and fascinated by the Cypress Tree... as beautiful of line and proportion as any Egyptian obelisk. It is a splash of black in a sunny landscape, but is one of the most interesting black notes, and the most difficult to paint exactly that I can imagine."
The name comes from Greek Mythology: The story of Cyparissus, tells the tale of a young man who was Apollo's lover; as the result of a hunting accident, he was transformed into a tree which would always guard the Underworld. Through this story, Cyparissus has come to symbolize eternal guardianship and knowledge.
Cypress (Latin), Yew (Old English), Ioho (Ancient Welsh), are evergreen trees, a relative of the Cedar/Redwood/Juniper family of pines. Cypresses are the oldest living things on Earth; they live thousands of years, and the oldest one known is 'Old Tjikko,' at 9,550 years.


Potential Long Swing Trading Opportunity WEC Stock.
We used our Elliott Wave Indicator Suite to set this potential swing trading opportunity up on the WEC Stock. Above all, Paul used a Signal from our Swing Trading Membership for this setup on the WEC Stock.


text:
Wang Gangfeng 王刚锋 is credited as being the first freelance photographer in China. In 1981 equipped with a second-hand camera and expired film, he set out to capture the everyday images of China that surrounded him. The scenes that he captured represent the daily ebbs and flows of life in China. The subjects of those first photos were the people who lived in his neighborhood. Wang would explore, catching street life, in only the way someone who lived and grew up in the neighborhood could. He was an insider looking in. His success and recognition would start with the publication of his work in the People's Daily.
As he continued to sell his work and receive private commissions he was able to establish his Gang of One photography studio and thrive in this new environment. Over the next decade his work began to gain international attention. His work became recognized for its ability to document the diversity of the human experience in China. The prestigious Musee de l'Elysee in Switzerland selected 18 of his photos for their permanent collection. Photo Life magazine described him as one of the top 25 photographers. And of particular note, was having his photo selected out of 12 000 other entries to win the Ballantine's First International Photography Award.
All images © Wang Gangfeng 王刚锋


text:
Junie (Paperback)
By Chelene Knight
NOT ON OUR SHELVES- available for order, usually ships in 1-5 days
A riveting exploration of the complexity within mother-daughter relationships and the dynamic vitality of Vancouver's former Hogan's Alley neighbourhood.
1930s, Hogan's Alley—a thriving Black and immigrant community located in Vancouver's East End. Junie is a creative, observant child who moves to the alley with her mother, Maddie: a jazz singer with a growing alcohol dependency. Junie quickly makes meaningful relationships with two mentors and a girl her own age, Estelle, whose resilient and entrepreneurial mother is grappling with white scrutiny and the fact that she never really wanted a child.
As Junie finds adulthood, exploring her artistic talents and burgeoning sexuality, her mother sinks further into the bottle while the thriving neighbourhood—once gushing with potential—begins to change. As her world opens, Junie intuits the opposite for the community she loves.
Told through the fascinating lens of a bright woman in an oft-disquieting world, this book is intimate and urgent—not just an unflinching look at the destruction of a vibrant community, but a celebration of the Black lives within.
Vancouver-born Chelene Knight is the author of Braided Skin and the memoir Dear Current Occupant, winner of the 2018 Vancouver Book Award. Her essays have appeared in multiple Canadian and American literary journals and newspapers, including The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and The Walrus and her work has been widely anthologized. Her poem 'Welwitschia' won the 2020 Contemporary Verse 2's Editor's Choice award. She was shortlisted for PRISM's 2021 Short Forms contest. Chelene is the founder of her own literary studio, Breathing Space Creative, through which she has launched The Forever Writers Club, whose members are writers focused on creative sustainability. Chelene works as a literary agent with the Transatlantic Agency. She lives in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia.
Publisher: Book*hug Press
Fiction / African American & Black / Women
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Exclusive Golden Color Designer Sherwani.
Simple and Elegant Golden Color Silk Sherwani With Matching Anarkali Kurta With Churidar Pajama And Zari,Embroidery,Zardozi Work.
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Dupion Art Silk with Red Color Readymade Kurta Pajama.
Red Color Indian Kurta Pajama.


New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) The central government Saturday decided to seek amnesty till January from the Supreme Court for the capital's traders, facing sealing of their shops for operating illegally from residential areas, after a trade delegation met the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi here Saturday.
A Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil that met to discuss the issue decided to file a review petition in the apex court seeking relief for 44,000 traders, who had submitted affidavits in the court saying they will close their shops by the court's deadline.
The government move is expected to exempt their shops from the sealing drive, which is scheduled to begin again on Nov 1.
The Supreme Court had ordered that the shops operating illegally from residential areas be sealed from Nov 1. The Delhi government has already appealed to a court-appointed monitoring committee that the sealing drive be postponed till Jan 31, 2007.
The GoM also decided to finalise the Delhi Master Plan 2021 by January.
Earlier in the day, thousands of traders sought Gandhi's intervention in the issue.
The representative of traders' organisations held a 45-minute meeting with Gandhi at her residence and submitted a memorandum seeking a comprehensive policy on the sealing of shops in residential areas and the demolition of illegal constructions.
The Delhi government has requested the central government to approach the Supreme Court to seek an extension of the suspension of the sealing drive beyond Oct 31. The court had suspended the sealing due to the festival season.
Patil, who chaired the GoM meet, met both Delhi Lt. Gov. B.L. Joshi and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Friday to discuss the issue.
The Delhi government said Friday that it would try to pass a resolution in the assembly that begins its session Monday that the sealing drive be stopped till the finalisation of the Master Plan 2021.
The Confederation of All India Traders has called for a three-day traders' shutdown from Monday to protest the sealing drive.
The protest against sealing drive had turned violent last month resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to hundreds in Seelumpur area of east Delhi.
The civic authority had launched its sealing and demolition drive in April.


text:
Kingshill, King's Hill or Kings Hill may refer to:
Kingshill, U.S. Virgin Islands, a town on Saint Croix
Cirencester Kingshill School, Gloucestershire, England
King's Hill, Hampshire, a hill in England
King's Hill, Walsall, an area of Wednesbury, West Midlands, England
King's Hill Historic District, Portland, Oregon
Kings Hill, village and parish in Kent, England
Kings Hill, Rutland, a hill in England
Kings Hill Pass, Montana

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


A. Singh singled through the right side.
A. Rente singled to right field; A. Singh advanced to second.
A. Rente stole second; A. Singh stole third.
B. Moor reached first on an error by ss; A. Rente advanced to third; A. Singh scored, unearned.
C. Bridges singled to center field, RBI; B. Moor advanced to third; A. Rente scored, unearned.
A. Singh reached on a fielder's choice; E. Mart advanced to second on an error by 3b, advanced to third.
A. Acos doubled to center field, RBI; A. Singh advanced to third; E. Mart scored, unearned.
Dawson Beutler singled to right center.
Dawson Beutler advanced to second on a wild pitch.
P. Walsh doubled to left center; E. Mart advanced to third.
A. Singh singled to left center, RBI; P. Walsh advanced to third; E. Mart scored.
A. Acos tripled to center field, 2 RBI; A. Singh scored; P. Walsh scored.
A. Rente singled through the left side, RBI; A. Acos scored.
E. Mart singled through the right side; A. Olague advanced to second.
A. Acos singled up the middle, RBI; E. Mart advanced to third; A. Olague scored.
A. Rente walked; A. Acos advanced to second.
B. Moor reached first on an error by 3b; A. Rente advanced to second; A. Acos advanced to third; E. Mart scored, unearned.
S. Diaz reached on a fielder's choice; B. Moor advanced to second; A. Rente out at third 3b unassisted.
William Cook singled up the middle.
Mark Burleson singled to left field; William Cook advanced to second.
A. Acos stole second; A. Singh stole third.
Corado doubled down the rf line; Dawson Beutler advanced to third.
Dillon Holder singled up the middle, 2 RBI; Corado scored; Dawson Beutler scored.
N. Hammel to p for C. Fousek.
E. Mart walked; A. Olague advanced to second.
E. Mart advanced to second on a wild pitch; A. Olague advanced to third.
P. Walsh advanced to second on a wild pitch; E. Mart advanced to third; A. Olague scored.
A. Acos singled to left field, 2 RBI; P. Walsh scored; E. Mart scored.
B. Moor doubled to left center; A. Acos advanced to third.
S. Diaz doubled, RBI; B. Moor advanced to third; A. Acos scored.
C. Bridges advanced to second on a wild pitch; S. Diaz advanced to third; B. Moor scored.
B. Carr pinch hit for E. Mart.
Max Popken doubled to right center.


text:
'use strict';

module.exports = function(template, variables)
{
	return function(req, res)
	{
		var vars = {user:{name:'guest', rights:''}};
		for(var x in variables) vars[x] = variables[x];
		if(req.isAuthenticated())
		{
			vars.user.name = req.user.name;
			vars.user.rights = 'save';
		}
		res.render(template, vars);
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Annapolis Mayor Michael J. Pantelides announced all Annapolis parking meter rates will be lowered from $2 to $1, effective Wednesday, January 15.
The City understands there may be a possible loss in revenue during this trial period, involving its 384 meters, but is also aware that lowering the parking meter rates to $1 an hour may in turn increase meter use.
The bill sponsors include Mayor Pantelides, Alderman Budge, Alderman Fred Paone, and Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles.
The trial period began on January 15th and will continue through March 31, 2014.


"Twelve Days of Fun Ending Labor Day" Every year, the state fair is the unofficial end of summer vacation in Minnesota. What to do at the fair is the topic of many conversations across the state, including the list below.
1. Eat food. Choose from pronto pups, deep fried cheese curds, roasted corn on the cob, Sweet Martha's chocolate chip cookies, ice cream from the dairy building, mini donuts, just about anything on a stick, and meals from different dining halls. *tip-share food whenever possible so you can taste more of these treats.
2. Visit the barns and see the horses, cows, sheep, pigs, and other farm animals. You can also visit the Miracle of Birth center to see animals giving birth. *tip-visit the barns early in the day when they smell the freshest.
3. The Coliseum has horse shows, bull riding and a rodeo.
4. Watch Police K-9 unit demonstrations and pet surgeries at the Pet Center. Purebred dogs are also showcased; you can see them up close and ask the owners questions about the different breeds.
5. Walk through the DNR (department of natural resources) building and visit the fish pond to see what fish can be found in Minnesota lakes.
6. Learn something new in the Agriculture/Horticulture, Education, and Progress Center buildings.
7. Appreciate arts and crafts in the Fine Arts and Creative Activities Buildings. I like to see the amazing quilts that people make.
8. Go on carnival rides and try your skill at carnival games on the Mighty Midway. *tip-buy discount tickets at local Cub grocery stores before the fair starts.
9. Enjoy the talent shows and free concerts scattered throughout the fairgrounds.
10. Attend a concert in the bandstand.
These are just a few of the things you can do at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. If you have any other suggestions, please add them in the comments. For more information and other activities, visit the Minnesota State Fair website.


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Operation Snowcap (1987–1995), launched in the spring of 1987, was a counter-narcotics operation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), BORTAC (U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit) and military/police forces in nine Latin American countries. Operation Snowcap followed Operation Blast Furnace, a four month operation that started in July 1986, which deployed 160 Army personnel and six Blackhawk helicopters to assist Bolivia in operations against cocaine laboratories in the Beni and Santa Cruz regions of Bolivia. At an annual cost to the DEA of $80 million, and involving approximately 140 agents at its onset, Snowcap was the largest counter-narcotics operation that had been launched in Latin America. The U.S. Department of Defense leased 6 UH-1 Huey helicopters, and provided flight training to Bolivian air force pilots and Special Forces training for UMOPAR and DEA agents.  Operation Snowcap recruited U.S. Army infantry officers attending the Army Infantry Officer's advanced course in the late 1980s.  Senior lieutenants and captains attending the course were given classified briefings attempting to recruit them from the Army to participate for operations in Bolivia and Peru.

In late 1987, Clandestine Laboratory and Chemical Program Czar, Gene R. Haislip, Deputy Assistant Administrator of DEA and Douglas A. Snyder, frequent Snowcap operative, convinced high level DEA officials that change was needed in the Snowcap program. They successfully lobbied DEA brass, David Westrate, Terry Burke and Chuck Guttenson, for Frank E. White, Chief of DEA Special Training, to become the new head of Snowcap because of his breadth of military experience and no-nonsense law enforcement perspective. The top brass accepted their recommendations. In one incident in a remote jungle location, DEA Operatives White and Snyder, and Navy Seals R. Gonzales and Red Hernandez were cornered by several dozen local campesinos wielding machetes and the team barely escaped harm by boarding an air transport provided by DEAs Addison Air Wing. In a 1988 memo, White, as new head of Snowcap, charged that agents were not being given adequate support for their mission, warning that without immediate changes, "DEA agents are going to agonize along through an excruciating death on an isolated jungle floor." DEA brass supported his request for more U.S. Military special forces assistance to field DEA agents deployed under Snowcap, with the additional deployment of  Navy SEALS/medics.  However, Frank White never thought the level of support was adequate to protect deployed DEA agents in such remote jungle locations, but trudged forward.

On May 20, 1989, tragedy struck when a US or Peruvian-owned Cessna 208 Caravan that had left Tingo María, in the Peruvian Amazonian highlands, on a DEA coca eradication mission taking place in the context of Operation Snowcap, crashed into Mount Huacranacro, 100 km (62.5 mls) east of Huaral. The nine occupants, six Americans and three Peruvians, were killed. The plane may have suffered an engine failure.
After Operation Just Cause U.S. Army added an additional element of soldiers from an Airborne Unit in Panama to assist in helping with this mission. A small group of soldiers were sent to areas in Columbia and Peru to recon and help target drug facilities. They also acted in supporting roles as security for agents when engaging in their narcotic stings. This unit provided this additional support until mid-1990 when it was deemed that their engagement was overtaxing the unit's other mission in the region.

By the end of 1990, Colombian National Police participating in Operation Snowcap had seized 53 metric tons of cocaine, arrested about 7,000 suspected traffickers, destroyed over 300 processing facilities, and seized over 700,000 gallons of precursor chemicals. Snowcap was successful in temporarily reducing the amount of Colombian cocaine entering the United States, however, it ended up handing control of narco-trafficking from the powerful Medellín and Cali cartels over to the smaller Mexican cartels. According to the SAC who was in charge of Operation Snowcap, Tony Laza, the DEA's "success with Medellín and Cali essentially set the Mexicans up in business, at a time when they were already cash-rich thanks to the budding methamphetamine trade in Southern California."

On 27 August 1994, tragedy struck again when a DEA CASA 212 Aviocar light transport aircraft (reg. N119CA) crashed into a mountain (or at the end of a box canyon) north of Puerto Pizana, in the Amazonian jungle department of San Martín, Peru. The crash reportedly happened while on a flight from Santa Lucia to Pucallpa, in the Huallaga River Valley region, and apparently owed to bad weather and low visibility (rainy and foggy) conditions during a reconnaissance operation. The plane's five occupants, DEA Special Agents Frank S. Wallace, Jay W. Seale, Juan C. Vars, Meredith Thompson, and Frank Fernandez Jr., were killed. This crash, plus a new focus in the Andean counter-narcotics strategy by the newly inaugurated Clinton administration (supported by Congress), and reduced funding by the new DEA administration of Thomas A. Constantine, eventually led to the end of Operation Snowcap in 1995.

See also
 Colombian conflict (1964–present)
 Mexican Drug War

References

Bibliography

Drug Enforcement Administration operations
Operations against organized crime


Putting the right coverage in place can save your business and protect personal financial health.
If you're a small business owner, you have a lot to think every day. You're in business to generate revenue that supports you and your family. But, more than that, it's an essential wealth-building pillar.
So, the last thing you need to worry about is the safety of your business from a catastrophe or a lawsuit. That's why no matter where and how you conduct your business, you'll need insurance protecting your business activities and property.
Whether you work from home, rent an office location and have employees, are a consultant or work in the field as a contractor or sales professional, the right business insurance coverage is critical. Business insurance protection is an important part of your business' risk-management strategy. And, in the long-run, it protects your wealth.
The constant threat of lawsuits makes the need for business insurance protection more necessary than ever. According to a 2005 SBA study, between 36-53% of small businesses owners can expect to face litigation sometime during any year. One of the most important benefits proper insurance protection provides your small business is legal and financial protection in a covered lawsuit.
In simplest terms, in exchange for paying regular premiums, the insurer agrees to fight a lawsuit for your business. Also, throughout the suit, they cover all associated legal fees and costs up to the policy limit. How that applies to your business depends on the legal language of your insurance contract, however. That's why you must understand exactly what you're getting with your business coverage.
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A second reason business owners need the correct types and levels of business insurance protection is in the case of catastrophes. Natural disasters, fires, vandalism, major thefts, and other calamities jeopardize business operations and continuity daily. Business insurance can mitigate losses in those situations.
Nonetheless, most small businesses owners haven't obtained and maintained adequate business insurance protection. Frequently, that includes employer small businesses.
But, failing to keep the right insurance coverage could leave you defenseless if you have legal issues or experience a catastrophe that causes considerable damage to your business or worse, prevents you from continuing operations.
Coverage products and levels of protection your small business should have depends on what business it conducts, its size, age, stage, and revenue and other elements. Also, whether you have employees and substantial business property, including structures, is important to consider. In unique situations, as with high-risk business offerings or businesses using large numbers of seasonal or temporary workers, insurers consider other factors.
Contingent on those basic factors, here are nine key business insurance products your small business may need. As you read this post, don't think about ways to skimp on these coverages because of the price. It can cost you much more not to have insurance in place.
Often called general liability insurance, this covers your business when someone files a claim alleging something your business did hurt them or their property. A common example is a slip and fall or other injury caused on your premises, whether you conduct business at home or in another place. This coverage also includes product liability coverage for cases where a someone alleges a defective product caused them harm and your business was the source of the product.
Other protections provided are for libel, slander and defamation claims; damage by you or an employee of a third-party's property or equipment; and, copyright infringement claims. If you're counting on the liability coverage that's part of a homeowner's or renter's policy to protect your home-based business, make sure you tell your insurance carrier. Otherwise, your homeowner's or renter's policy may provide little or no coverage for business done at home and lawsuits or losses related to business won't be covered.
Losing your business property can damage your business operations significantly or cause their complete cessation. That's why your business needs property insurance coverage for both your buildings and structures and business personal property.
"Business personal property" includes office furnishings and equipment, including computers; inventory, raw materials, tools and machinery critical to operating your business. Obtaining and maintaining this coverage at proper levels makes it possible for you to replace structures and business personal property after a covered event.
If you get the right policy or add specific endorsements to a policy, it can cover clean up after a catastrophe (including the breakdown and removal of broken equipment and debris) and cover operating expenses while you're trying to restore your business operations.
Created in 1985 just for small businesses, this product can offer the best overall insurance protection available to most small enterprises. BOP combines general liability and property insurance into one package for less than buying them separately.
Often, BOP also provides business interruption or BI insurance. BI insurance covers business income, including profits, after an event covered by your property insurance makes you unable to sustain business operations.
For up to 12 months while you rebuild your business, it can cover employee payroll, taxes, licensing fees, rental of more business equipment and other ongoing business expenses during recovery. That's especially important if you must run from a temporary site.
In addition to being certain your BOP provides BI, you should decide what riders or endorsements are necessary to protect what your BOP doesn't automatically cover, like outdoor signs. You may want to get extra expense coverage to extend BI payments. Or, you might consider a separate business umbrella policy to enhance your BOP with up to $1 million in added liability coverage.
Consultants, architects, accountants, real estate agents, financial advisors and others are at constant risk of being sued for the way you provide your professional services. Consequently, you'll want to investigate errors and omissions or E&O insurance. Designed with experts in mind, this coverage protects you where general liability doesn't.
Customers might sue you for making a mistake that costs them money, failing to protect their best interests, failing to meet professional standards of service, missing a deadline, giving poor advice or recommendations or just falling short of their business expectations with your services. This policy offers protection when that happens.
For physicians or lawyers, this would be called malpractice insurance. E&O insurance is "malpractice coverage" for other types of professionals who provide advice and certain professional services.
Maybe you've begun driving your personal vehicle primarily for business purposes—like using it to run customer errands in the gig economy. Or you have one or more vehicles you and your employees use exclusively in your business.
If so, you'll need this important coverage. Commercial auto insurance is not unlike personal auto insurance in what it covers. The difference is personal auto insurance isn't likely to cover you in an event related to business use of your personal auto.
For vehicles owned by your business, it would pay any costs related to bodily injury or property damage caused while operating your business vehicle up to the policy limits. You may want to get enhanced coverage for repairs or replacement of your business vehicle caused by theft, fire, vandalism, flood and other events.
If you have employees, in all states except Texas you must keep this coverage or face severe penalties or uncovered employee lawsuits. If you're an incorporated contractor with no employees and the sole officer in your company, an exemption might be available. Generally, however, states require worker's comp for companies with two or more employees.
Workers comp pays medical costs and replaces some an employee's wages when they're injured on the job, even they're conducting off-site duties related to your business. That is regardless of who is at fault for the injury. If an employee dies as a result of a work-related accident or injury, this insurance compensates their family.
Lawsuits against employers by prospective, current and former employees are increasingly common, even for employer small business owners. These suits can allege discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination among other charges against managers, officers, directors or other employees of your small enterprise.
Moreover, regulations under the Family Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act define specific practices for employers to follow. If you violate those regulations, even unintentionally, your small business could face litigation. These suits are expensive to fight, can hobble business operations and settlements can run into the millions, even if your firm is found not liable.
That's why employment practices liability insurance or EPLI is important. It protects your business against those claims and provides resources to fight the lawsuits effectively. It takes effect after a person or group alleging unfair employment practices, violation of their civil rights, or the inability to complete their work in a fair and acceptable employment environment files a claim.
These executives are highly trained and experienced professionals who serve on private and nonprofit boards of directors or have officer roles in a company. They are hard to recruit in part because others can sue them for actions or decisions related to their role.
Plaintiffs in these lawsuits may attempt to hold them personally liable for those actions. Those claims include disgruntled employees alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, invasion of privacy, breach of conflict and related emotional distress.
Third-parties, like regulatory agencies or customers, can bring claims against your officers or directors for alleged violations of fiduciary trust or mishandling of your organization's funds. Of course, competitors might bring claims of unfair competition, intellectual property theft or defamation and libel against your organization and its top leadership.
Directors and Officers or D&O coverage protects your directors and officers against personal financial and reputation losses in such suits, except in the case of criminal acts. While EPLI does, D&O doesn't cover managers in roles below director or company officer. And, it's not just for large companies, either.
With this type of litigation being more common and costly than most believe, this coverage likely is critical for your company, especially to recruit and keep top officers and directors.
You see the data breach stories in the news regularly and related losses for firms if sometimes millions. However, they are not unique to large businesses and big law firms. They happen with small enterprises regularly, too.
If you have IT infrastructure that's critical to business operations or your business collects and keeps sensitive customer financial or other data, you need this coverage. Your small business can't afford to work without its key technology for even a short time or to fight a lawsuit if there's a customer data breach, especially when criminals share the information.
Cyber liability insurance can protect your business with two major types of coverage, first-party coverage, and third-party defense liability coverage. First-party coverage offers financial compensation so your small business can address immediate business and client needs if your in-house computer systems fail.
Third-party defense liability coverage protects your business if a partner or customer sues related to an alleged data breach caused by your small business's negligence or actions. Business owners also can ask for policies offering consulting services and other tools.
Those extras can help your business assess the size of the security breach and get back up quickly afterward while restoring your business standing. You can use those services to thwart future breaches, too. You may want to consider one or both depending on your business's needs as well as any add-on services.
Business owners can start by doing research online. There are a number of resources, including the Insurance Information Institute and state and local agencies offering significant resources and information about small business insurance.
Then, get ready to talk with an agent or broker. Organize documents and know what your business does and how it conducts each aspect of its daily operations. Make sure you talk to key employees, partners, and supply chain vendors to decide what their loss during a catastrophe might mean to your business.
Naturally, self-employed people will have different concerns and insurance needs from employer small business. The latter must have specific insurance in force to prevent legal liability and government fines. The larger you are (or riskier your business operations) the more kinds of insurance you'll need and there will be extra requirements to get coverage.
Home-based business owners may not need what employer small businesses or some consultants do. But you likely need more than your homeowner's policy covers.
All small business owners, regardless of size or type, should work with an agent who specializes in businesses of your size and type in your industry. By working with the right local agent, it's possible to get all necessary business insurance coverage, even products not identified above.
The right business insurance products can keep your small business safe from disasters, including legal ones. You'll also have the peace of mind that comes with being covered in those situations.
This post is written for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for any legal, financial, accounting or other business or personal advice that should be provided by qualified professionals in those areas. Before taking any action based on the information contained here that could have legal, financial, or any other important consequences, consult with qualified professionals who can provide guidance that considers your unique circumstances. Please also carefully review this website's Content Disclaimer.