Passenger and freight elevators are powered by either electricity or a hydraulic pump. Because they are used to transport people, elevators must be strictly maintained and in working order. Elevator maintenance should be performed by certified personnel at least every six months. An elevator maintenance checklist should be comprehensive and cover the elevator car, the operational machinery and the cabling system.

Car Interior

One of the first items to inspect on an elevator maintenance checklist is the doors. The doors should open and close smoothly and with appropriate force. In addition, the "Stop Elevator" button should be fully functional. The elevator should accurately stop at each of the floors. Internal lights should be checked and replaced if necessary. In addition, the "Emergency Exit" button must be checked and operational. If the elevator is equipped with an emergency phone line, it should also be checked that it connects promptly with the local fire department or 911 operator.

Machine Room

The second part of the elevator maintenance checklist should focus on the machine room. It is important that there is appropriate access to the room and that no equipment interferes with adequate headroom in the area. The lighting must be checked and any lights replaced if necessary. In addition, the machine room should be properly heated and ventilated and equipped with fire extinguishers. The stop switch and control panel should be tested. The electric motor or hydraulic pump must be tested as well.

Ceiling and Roof of Car

The mechanical equipment on the top of the car must be inspected, including the wiring and pipes. The top emergency exit in the interior of the car should be inspected for proper ingress and egress, and lights should be checked to ensure proper functioning. In addition, the stopping devices on the top of the car need to be tested.

Hoist Way and Pit

The hoist way door and elevator parking devices should be tested. The emergency doors in the hoist way must also be tested. The pit should be inspected for proper access, lighting and clearance. The cables, terminal stopping device and other machinery must be tested. The car frame and platform are also examined.