Elevator inspection, testing, and audit sound interchangeable, but they are three different things. An inspection is a code-required safety check tied to your building’s safety inspection by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Testing an actual test performed based on the equipment and the requirements by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. An audit is a voluntary, independent deep-dive into how well your elevators are actually maintained, how they are performing, are they require any upgrades, and whether you are getting what you pay for. Here is how the three differ, who performs each, and when your building needs them.
In the elevator and escalator industry, “inspection,” “testing” and “audit” are terms commonly used interchangeably yet, in reality, they are quite different.
Understanding the Terms: Inspection, Testing, and Audit in the Elevator and Escalator Industry
Quick Comparison: Inspection vs Testing vs Audit
| Inspection | Testing | Audit | |
| Purpose | Verify the equipment meets current safety code | Confirm specific safety functions work, as part of an inspection | Assess how well the equipment is maintained, serviced, and performing |
| Who performs it | The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) | The elevator service provider | An independent consultant, hired by the building |
| Required by code? | Yes | Yes | No, voluntary |
| Typical frequency | Usually annual, sometimes more often by jurisdiction | Category 1, Category 5, Category 3 and sometimes others | Every 2 to 3 years, or as needed |
| What it tells you | Whether you pass and can keep operating legally | Whether required safety device’s function | Whether you are overpaying, under-served, or facing hidden deferred maintenance |
In short: an inspection and its testing keep you legal. An audit tells you whether you are being treated fairly and protects your bottom line.
Elevator Inspections
An elevator inspection or escalator inspection is typically performed by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
The purpose of an inspection is to evaluate whether or not all elevator equipment. Its related counterparts meet the current State and Municipal elevator codes to ensure the safety of all equipment for use. Elevator testing or escalator testing is a component of an elevator inspection. An elevator or escalator cannot pass inspection without the proper testing being completed.
Elevator Testing
The type of test mandated by ASME A17.1 depends on whether the unit is hydraulic, traction, escalator, dumbwaiter or other vertical transportation conveyances regulated by the AHJ. Some examples of testing are Category 1 (annual) tests and Category 5 (every 5 years) for traction elevators. Hydraulic elevators require an annual pressure test, and escalators must be tested annually or when the AHJ requires.
Testing is conducted by the Elevator Service Provider. Code mandates that testing documents and testing tags (which give the date and type of test) be present in the machine room. During an inspection, the inspector checks that the required testing has been completed.
Elevator Audits
Also, an elevator audit assesses the safety, performance, and maintenance of the vertical transportation equipment. Unlike a test or inspection, an audit is not required by code. An audit is a service that is pursued by the building owner or property manager to get a snapshot of the condition of the elevator or escalator units and the service it is receiving.
Audits document how the building’s equipment is being serviced and maintained by thoroughly reviewing the building’s current elevator maintenance plan and existing service contracts while cross-referencing them with the elevator equipment’s current condition and performance. Performing an audit consistently results in performance and service improvements from the elevator service provider. Elevator audits usually uncover deferred maintenance and missed services needed to fulfill the equipment’s life cycle. An audit can be performed to facilitate the equipment to pass inspection. It is common to use the terms “elevator audit,” “elevator assessment” and “elevator survey” to refer to the same service.
Other Vertical Transportation Equipment
The word “elevator” is commonly used to reference all vertical transportation including escalators, LULA, dumbwaiters, and other types of equipment.
Which One Does Your Building Need?
Inspections and testing are not optional, your AHJ requires them. But passing an inspection only means your elevator will not hurt anyone today. It says nothing about whether you are overpaying, whether your provider is actually doing the work, or whether deferred maintenance is quietly building toward an expensive failure. That is what an audit is for, and it is the one of the three that protects your money, not just your permit.
Not sure what your elevators are really getting? We perform an independent elevator audit that shows you exactly how your equipment is being maintained and where you are losing money. Schedule a no-obligation consultation or call (312) 519-9949.
Frequently Asked Questions (new)
What is the difference between an elevator inspection and an elevator audit?
An inspection is a code-required safety check performed by the Authority Having Jurisdiction to confirm your equipment meets minimum safety standards. An audit is a voluntary, independent review hired by the building that goes much deeper, examining maintenance quality, contract terms, equipment condition, and cost. Inspections keep you legal. Audits tell you whether you are being served and billed fairly.
Is an elevator audit required by code?
No. Unlike inspections and testing, an audit is not required by any jurisdiction. Building owners and property managers choose to have one done to get an unbiased picture of their equipment’s condition and the service it is receiving, usually to control costs, resolve service problems, or plan capital spending.
Who performs elevator testing?
Elevator testing is conducted by the elevator service provider as a component of the code inspection. The type and frequency depend on the equipment, for example Category 1, Category 3, and Category 5 and others pending authority having jurisdiction. The AHJ inspector then verifies the testing was completed.
How often does an elevator need to be inspected?
Most jurisdictions require an inspection annually, though some states and municipalities require a more frequent schedule. Your AHJ sets the requirement. By contrast, a voluntary audit is typically done every two to three years, or whenever a building is seeing service problems, rising costs, or planning a sale or modernization.
What is the difference between an elevator audit, an elevator assessment, and an elevator survey?
An elevator audit, an elevator assessment, and an elevator survey are all used in the same manner however people may call them these three different names.