Maintaining, inspecting, and testing your passenger lift system on a regular basis is fundamental to lowering the danger of a serious incident, malfunction, or even potential harm, while also guaranteeing the efficiency and safety of your lift. 

When doing said elevator maintenance inspection, keep a checklist of the vital components that need to be inspected on hand, and our elevator service technicians have highlighted the most important examinations worth performing below.

To avoid the risk of accidents and costly repairs, here is your essential passenger lift inspection checklist for 2023:

What is a passenger lift inspection checklist?

A passenger lift inspection checklist is a comprehensive guide used by technicians to ensure the safety, efficiency, and reliability of lift systems. It outlines the key areas within the lift car, machine room, and shaft that need regular checks to maintain optimal functionality.

The checklist covers everything from the condition of lift doors and safety equipment to the inspection process for emergency evacuation procedures. By adhering to a structured lift maintenance checklist, potential hazards can be identified early, ensuring the safety of all passengers while also preventing costly repairs.

See Also: How Much Does a Passenger Lift Cost?

16 point passenger lift inspection checklist

A lift engineer should do regular maintenance checks that include extensive inspections of the interior and outside of the passenger cabin, as well as maintenance logs on the machine room, shaft, and pit. Here is a comprehensive passenger lift safety checklist:

Passenger cabin maintenance

  1. Examine and replace the external call button lights.
  2. Examine the elevator door panels and clearance.
  3. Examine the firefighter lift controls.
  4. Test the lift’s acceleration, deceleration, and levelling to ensure smooth and accurate operation.
  5. Inspect the lift door to make sure it doesn’t bang or bounce while shutting and that the door restrictor is working properly.
  6. Inspect position indicators and replace any burned-out lights.
  7. Inspect the interior of the cabin for damage or wear and tear to the ceiling, handrail, floor, and walls.

Machine room inspection

  1. Make certain that the machine room is clean and that any prohibited materials are removed.
  2. Inspect all components for signs of wear, unusual vibration, or leakage.
  3. Examine all electrical wiring for failure, wear and tear, or overheating.
  4. Check the oil level.
  5. Elevator components lubrication should be performed as needed.

Pit maintenance

  1. Examine the lift cable for snags or evidence of wear.
  2. Inspect the condition of the guide rails, rollers, and switches.
  3. Check and clean the sump pump.
  4. Check that the spring buffers are securely attached. Check for proper alignment and corrosion.

Read More: 13 Passenger Lift Safety Rules Your Building Needs

Why is an elevator maintenance inspection important?

A defective elevator part may go undiscovered until a substantial repair is required if there is no maintenance plan in place. This substantial repair can be costly and inconvenient, especially in buildings where elderly or ailing residents must travel above the first floor to their residences.

The value of an elevator is proportional to how effectively it is maintained over its lifecycle. A comprehensive elevator maintenance plan reduces the hazards that elevator/building owners and users may encounter.

If an elevator is not properly maintained, the building owner may suffer financial risk, liability difficulties, and irate tenants.

Read More: Here’s How To Fix Elevators When They’re Faulty

How often are lift inspections required?

Lifts and lifting equipment (whether passenger, cargo, or load bearing) are governed by the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 in the United Kingdom.

All forms of lifting equipment must be thoroughly inspected by a qualified individual. When conducting a complete examination, the equipment and the most critical components in terms of safety equipment must be checked; this should be done at regular intervals, and the findings documented in a comprehensive report.

Unless otherwise specified, an examination should be performed at the following intervals:

  • Every 6 months for lifting equipment and any other equipment used to lift people/passengers.
  • Every 6 months for lifting attachments.
  • Every 12 months for all other lifting equipment.

The competent person inspecting the lift or lifting equipment will complete the examination using industry standard criteria, which, along with the person’s professional judgement, will assure the equipment’s continuous safety and advise a plan for any necessary lift maintenance or preventive maintenance.

Find Out More: How Often Should a Passenger Lift Be Inspected?

How do elevator service technicians conduct an inspection?

Lifting equipment may also need to be inspected at appropriate intervals between complete exams under LOLER. The competent person should determine the scope and regularity of inspection requirements according to the risk assessment.

  • Potential concerns that an inspection regime may detect include:
  • Fast wear caused by use in a harsh environment
  • Failure due to frequent operation
  • Malfunction
  • Interfering with safety devices.

A thorough examination regime may check for and identify areas of poor maintenance, but it is not meant to replace or be mistaken with scheduled maintenance regimes.

Preventive maintenance seeks to guarantee that lifting equipment continues to function as intended while avoiding dangers associated with wear or degradation. Duty holders should “not wait for the findings of a complete examination before carrying out maintenance” on lifting equipment, according to the HSE.

The goal of the aforementioned regimens is to ensure that passenger elevators remain safe during operational usage. Both the competent person and the duty holder are responsible for ensuring that adequate paperwork and records are available, which can subsequently be analysed to confirm that the regimes are accomplishing this purpose.

Expert lift inspections from Future Lifts…

A well-defined elevator inspection checklist and maintenance plan reduces safety hazards, reduces the cost of costly repairs, and assures the elevator is operating in accordance with standards.

It is critical to include vital components that a technician should examine inside, outside, and at the top of the car, as well as in the pit and machine room, while building your own elevator inspection checklist.

We offer first-rate installation and maintenance services for lifts in workspaces, public buildings, and other commercial structures. 

If your company utilises platform lifts, passenger lifts, or other types of access equipment that elevates passengers, we can also assist with leading LOLER testing and certification.

Book your free, no-obligation quote today!

Passenger lift inspection checklist FAQs

How often should a passenger lift be serviced in the UK?

It is advised that lifts be serviced six to twelve times per year. Your particular timetable should be discussed with your maintenance provider.

What is a LOLER lift inspection?

LOLER is an abbreviation for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (1998); it is a lifting equipment inspection checklist that ensures the proper operation and safety of lifting equipment for enterprises.

Who is responsible for checking lifting equipment?

Lifting equipment must be inspected at intervals stated by the manufacturer or by the qualified competent person.