Safety and Buildings Division - Information about Permits to Operate (PTO) 

Amusement Rides || Anhydrous Ammonia || Elevators (not stair chairs) || Elevators (stair chairs) || Heating Boilers || Passenger Ropeways || Power/High Pressure Boilers || Refrigeration - Classes A2, B2, A3, and B3 || Refrigeration - Classes A1 and B1 || Unfired Pressure Vessels

Amusement Rides

Plans and specifications for all custom-built, site-specific amusement rides not used in a portable mode shall be submitted to the Safety and Buildings Division for plan review before construction begins. Portable amusement rides do not require plan review. Before operation of any amusement ride, site-specific or portable, the ride must be registered and registration stickers affixed. These stickers are not termed a Permit to Operate (PTO), however they are similar. The Amusement Ride Code is Comm 34. See index of online codes.

Who processes the registration and inspection? The Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce administers the amusement ride sytem in Wisconsin. Contact Kelly Kalscheur, kelly.kalsheur@wisconsin.gov, 608-266-9374.

Who does inspections? All amusement rides are inspected annually by S&B staff.

Forms? See S&B forms online.

Anhydrous Ammonia NH3

Before starting construction of any new or additional permanent storage installation for anhydrous ammonia, you should obtain plan approval from the Safety and Buildings Division. See additional plan review information. After an initial or periodic inspection, a Permit to Operate (PTO) may be issued. Permanent storage tanks for anhydrous ammonia exceeding 2,000 gallons water capacity and all anhydrous ammonia nurse tanks located at storage facilities shall be inspected at least once every 3 years.

Who obtains the PTO? Per Comm 43.15(1), (see index of online codes), the owner of the installation is responsible for maintaining the system and for obtaining the PTO. The PTO must be posted onsite.

Who issues the PTO? The Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce issues a PTO. S&B inspection support may be contacted by email, boilertech@commerce.state.wi.us.

Who does inspections? Inspections may be done by S&B staff or by City of Milwaukee staff within that city.

Forms? Plan submitter must complete Gas System Installation Registration Notice, SBD-6038, and submit it to S&B. See S&B forms online. (See Gas Systems group of forms, which includes a plan review explanation document.)

Elevators (all except Stair Chair)

Safety and Buildings Division plan approval shall be obtained before commencing construction of any elevator system. See additional plan review information. After an initial or annual inspection, a Permit to Operate (PTO) may be issued.

Who obtains the PTO? Per Comm 18.12, (see index of online codes), the owner of the elevator is responsible for maintaining the system and for obtaining the PTO. The PTO must be posted onsite.

Who issues the PTO? The Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce issues a PTO. S&B inspection support may be contacted by email, boilertech@commerce.state.wi.us.

Who does inspections? Initial inspections are by Safety and Buildings Division elevator staff or City of Milwaukee staff. Subsequent annual inspections may be done by S&B staff, or City of Milwaukee staff within that city, or certified inspection agencies.

Forms? See S&B forms online.

Before commencing construction of any elevator system, a plan approval should be obtained from the Safety and Buildings Division. See additional plan review information. After an initial or annual inspection, a Permit to Operate (PTO) may be issued.

Who obtains the PTO? Per Comm 18.12, (see index of online codes), the owner of the stair chair is responsible for maintaining the system and for obtaining the PTO. The PTO must be posted onsite.

Who issues the PTO? The Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce issues a PTO. S&B inspection support may be contacted by email, boilertech@commerce.state.wi.us.

Who does inspections? Initial inspections are by Safety and Buildings Division elevator staff or City of Milwaukee staff. Subsequent 3-year inspections may be done by S&B staff, or City of Milwaukee staff within that city, or certified inspection agencies.

Forms? See S&B forms online.

Heating Boilers are inspected before being put into operation and then may be issued a Permit to Operate (PTO). These boilers must be inspected every 36 months and the PTO re-issued. The relevant code is Comm 41, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. See index of online codes.

Who obtains the PTO? Per Comm 41.24, (see index of online codes), the owner of the boiler is responsible for maintaining the boiler and for obtaining the PTO. The PTO must be posted onsite.

Who issues the PTO? The Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce issues a PTO for heating boilers for 36 months. S&B inspection support may be contacted by email, boilertech@commerce.state.wi.us.

Who does inspections? Inspections may be done by S&B staff, by City of Milwaukee staff within that city, or state-certified inspectors working (usually) for insurance companies.

Forms? Installing contractors must prepare boiler installation registration SBD-6314 and submit it to S&B. See S&B forms online.

A passenger ropeway is defined as a device that carries, pulls, or pushes passengers along a level or inclined path (excluding elevators) by means of a haul rope or other flexible element that is driven by a power unit remaining essentially at a single location. See Comm 33, Passenger Ropeways. (See index of online codes)

Before starting construction, installation or relocation of or addition to a passenger ropeway, plans and specifications for the proposed passenger ropeway shall be submitted to the Safety and Buildings Division for review and approval.

Prior to operation, the reviewed installation shall be inspected, and a Permit to Operate (PTO) may be issued. Subsequent annual inspections are required for re-issuance of the PTO.

Who obtains the PTO? Per Comm 33.13, (see index of online codes), the owner of the ropeway is responsible for maintaining the system and for obtaining the PTO.

Who issues the PTO? The Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce issues a PTO for a ropeway. Contact Kelly Kalscheur, kelly.kalsheur@wisconsin.gov, 608-266-9374.

Who does inspections? Inspections may be done by S&B staff or by third party independent inspectors.

Forms? Installing contractors must prepare plan review information per Comm 33.10 and submit it to S&B. (See index of online codes)

Power/High Pressure Boiler

Power/High Pressure Boilers are inspected before being put into operation and then may be issued a Permit to Operate (PTO). These boilers must be inspected annually and the PTO re-issued. The relevant code is Comm 41, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. See index of online codes.

Who obtains the PTO? Per Comm 41.24, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (see index of online codes), the owner of the boiler is responsible for maintaining the boiler and for obtaining the PTO. The PTO must be posted onsite.

Who issues the PTO? The Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce issues a PTO for power/high pressure boilers for one year. S&B inspection support may be contacted by email, boilertech@commerce.state.wi.us.

Who does inspections? Inspections may be done by S&B staff, by City of Milwaukee staff within that city, or state-certified inspectors working (usually) for insurance companies.

Forms? Installing contractors must prepare boiler installation notice SBD-6314 and submit it to S&B. See S&B forms online.

An installer shall register with Safety and Building Division the installation of new, used or additional mechanical refrigerating systems of the following classifications: Any system using a Group A2, B2, A3 or B3 refrigerant and having a capacity rated at or greater than 10 horsepower, 10 tons or 10,000 volt-amperes. After inspection of the installation, a Permit to Operate (PTO) may be issued. Inspection of refrigeration systems must occur every 12 months and the PTO may be re-issued.

Who obtains the PTO? Per Comm 45.09, (see index of online codes), the owner of the mechanical refrigeration system is responsible for maintaining the refrigerant system and for obtaining the PTO. The PTO must be posted onsite. The owner or user shall notify the department before reactivating a mechanical refrigerating system at any time after the expiration date on the permit to operate. The system shall be re-inspected by the department and a new permit to operate shall be obtained before the system may be reactivated.

Who issues the PTO? The Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce issues a one-year PTO for these classifications of refrigerant systems. S&B inspection support may be contacted by email, boilertech@commerce.state.wi.us.

Who does inspections? Inspections may be done by S&B staff or by City of Milwaukee staff within that city.

Forms? Installing contractors must prepare Mechanical Refrigeration Installation Registration form, SBD-34, and submit it to S&B. See S&B forms online.

Refrigeration Systems - Classifications A1 and B1

An installer shall register with the Safety and Building Division of the Department of Commerce the installation of new, used or additional mechanical refrigerating systems of the following classifications: Any mechanical refrigerating system using a Group A1 or B1 refrigerant and having a capacity rated at or greater than 50 horsepower, 50 tons or 50,000 volt-amperes. After inspection of the installation, a Permit to Operate (PTO) may be issued. Inspection of refrigeration systems of these classification must occur every 36 months (3 years) and the PTO may be re-issued.

Groups A1 and B1 systems located outdoors with the discharge located at least 20 feet from any building opening and used only for air-conditioning for human comfort are exempt from periodic inspections.

Who obtains the PTO? Per Comm 45.09, (see index of online codes), the owner of the boiler is responsible for maintaining the mechanical refrigeration system and for obtaining the PTO. The PTO must be posted onsite. The owner or user shall notify the department before reactivating a mechanical refrigeration system at any time after the expiration date on the permit to operate. The system shall be re-inspected by the department and a new permit to operate shall be obtained before the system may be reactivated.

Who issues the PTO? The Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce issues a PTO for these classifications of refrigerant systems are issued for 36 months. S&B inspection support may be contacted by email, boilertech@commerce.state.wi.us.

Who does inspections? Inspections may be done by S&B staff or by City of Milwaukee staff within that city.

Forms? Installing contractors must prepare Mechanical Refrigeration Installation Registration form, SBD-34, and submit it to S&B. See S&B forms online.

Unfired Pressure Vessel

Unfired pressure vessels are inspected before being put into operation and then may be issued a Permit to Operate (PTO). These unfired pressure vessels must be inspected every 36 months (3 years) and the PTO re-issued. The relevant code is Comm 41, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. See index of online codes.

Who obtains the PTO? Per Comm 41.24, see index of online codes, the owner of the vessel is responsible for maintaining the vessel and for obtaining the PTO. The PTO must be posted onsite.

Who issues the PTO? The Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce issues a PTO for unfired pressure vessels for 36 months. S&B inspection support may be contacted by email, boilertech@commerce.state.wi.us.

Who does inspections? Inspections may be done by S&B staff or by City of Milwaukee staff within that city.

Forms? Installing contractors must prepare boiler installation form SBD-6314 and submit it to S&B. See S&B forms online.

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Email or call this page's manager, Norma Sampson at norma.sampson@wisconsin.gov or 608-267-7907.

The Department of Commerce Safety and Buildings Division is an equal opportunity service provider and employer. If you need assistance to access services or need material in an alternate format, please contact us at 608-266-3151 or norma.sampson@wisconsin.gov.