Services
Annual Inspections
With few exceptions, the State of Texas requires all elevators to be inspected annually. The inspection is performed by a licensed elevator contractor and witnessed by a licensed elevator inspector. There is no “grace period” where the elevator is allowed to inspected later than the inspection due date without being in violation of State Law. It is the owner’s responsibility to have the elevator inspected on or before the anniversary of the last annual inspection date. It is always wise to contact the inspector and the elevator service company in advance of the inspection date in order to get on the elevator company’s schedule. The elevator inspector works in tandem with the elevator company to get the inspection done. As a side note, all elevator inspectors are licensed by the State of Texas and are not State employees. As such, inspectors have no authority over the elevator companies.
Five Year Inspections
All traction elevators are required to have a “full load” test performed every 5 years. This entails loading 125% of the capacity onto the elevator and testing the braking system and safeties (100% load only). There are a few other tests related to the governor that do not occur on annual inspections. The five year inspections typically take at least twice as long as an annual, during which time the elevator will be out of service during most of this time.
Escalators and Moving Walks
Do to the complexity and tight clearances of escalators and moving walks, the inspections, whether final or annual, require multiple hours for all the specialized tests that are required. Special equipment, provided by the elevator company, will take critical measurements regarding the step clearances in relation to the escalator body, comb plate impact settings as well as brake torque. The frame of the escalator (“truss”) is inspected for any cracks or abnormal conditions. There are also many safety devices on an escalator that must be tested to ensure safe operation. Each is tested individually and, if necessary and possible, adjusted by the elevator contractor on the spot for proper operation.
Final Acceptance
The final acceptance inspection is the last construction inspection the elevator has before the the elevator is turned over by the elevator company to the building owner. All the interrelated systems will be checked to see if they adhere to the current elevator, electrical, fire alarm, building and plumbing codes. The elevator inspector will then certify that the elevator meets the Elevator and Escalator Safety Code and will “tag” it ready for passenger use.
Pre Inspections
AAA Elevator Inspections will, on request, perform a pre inspection during the construction phase of your new elevator installation. The inspection will survey the elevator shaft and machine/control room or space. The report will go to the General Contractor and the elevator company. This ensures that any delays are avoided before the final inspection. This saves time and money.
Re Inspections
Not all violations require an immediate re inspection once the violation has been corrected. If the violation is a repeat violation from the previous year, only that particular violation will need to be verified by an elevator inspector as having been corrected. This may or may not require the elevator contractor to be present for the re inspection.
Questions? – call or email
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do elevators need to be inspected?
The owner of the elevator or related equipment must obtain an inspection every 12 months and submit the inspection report, all required documents, and applicable fees to the Department in order to obtain a Certificate of Compliance.
What happens if the inspection is late?
There is a late filing fee associated with late inspections, as well as possible civil penalties. It is the owner’s responsibility, not the elevator company or inspector, to ensure the elevator is inspected on time
Can the elevator inspector do the inspection without an elevator company?
No. An elevator contractor must perform the inspection as witnessed by the inspector. The Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators states that only “persons qualified to perform such service in the presence of an inspector” can do the inspection.
Are elevator inspectors State employees?
No. Elevator inspectors are licensed by the State.
What if the elevator inspection is done in a late, or in a negligent manner? Who is responsible?
The owner is responsible. The following is an excerpt from the TDLR FAQs page regarding owner responsibilities:
12. If the power to select the elevator inspector is delegated to an elevator contractor and the inspection is performed late, not at all or in a negligent manner, is the owner still responsible?
Yes. An owner may not lawfully delegate the responsibility for safely maintaining the building and equipment or for compliance with the applicable statute(s) to another party.
What does the inspector do with the inspection report? What does the owner do with the inspection report?
The inspector will complete the elevator inspection report and send it to the owner or owner’s agent. The inspector does not send the report to TDLR. Sending the report to TDLR is the owner’s responsibility.
The building owner must submit to TDLR the following:
- A copy of the signed report that certifies that any listed violations have been corrected or are under contract to be corrected.
- All required fees.
What are the responsibilities and duties of the owner?
For a complete list of owner responsibilities, see the TDLR FAQ, Elevator Safety Admin Rules, and Elevator Safety Law pages.
Where do I find the rules governing elevator inspections?
These rules can be found on the TDLR Administrative Rules page.
If there is a violation, does the elevator have to be re inspected?
No, unless either of the following two conditions exists:
- If the violation is a repeat of the same violation from the year before, it has to be re inspected by an elevator inspector before the Certificate of Compliance is issued for that elevator. The inspector will verify and report to TDLR that the repeat violation has been corrected.
2. If the violation is a “reportable condition” – a violation that necessitated the owner to shut off the elevator due to safety concerns – then an inspector would also have to return, this time with the elevator contractor, to ascertain that the violation has been corrected. The inspector would then inform TDLR. The elevator can be returned to service, and the Certificate will be released by TDLR.
If the elevator never runs, or is in a shut-down building, or is scheduled to be removed, does it have to be inspected?
Yes, unless a unit is “out of service”, as defined by the Safety Code for Elevator and Escalators, Rule 8.11.1.4. It is not simply a matter of turning off the power to the unit. Certain mechanical features will have to be removed or modified which will make it impossible for the unit to run. The unit will then be reported to TDLR and removed from the list of active elevators.
Is there a grace period if the inspection is late?
No. Inspections are to be performed in a 12-month period. Past communications by the Chief Elevator Inspector have reiterated that there is no grace period for late inspections. Inspections are due on or before the anniversary date of the last inspection.
Do I have to use the current elevator service company to do the inspection?
No, but an elevator contractor must perform the inspection as witnessed by the inspector. The Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators states that only “persons qualified to perform such service in the presence of an inspector” can do the inspection.
Where do I find an elevator inspector?
To find an elevator inspector registered with the Department, use the TDLR License Data Search, or contact Customer Service at (800) 803-9202 or (512) 463-6599.
Who gets to choose the elevator inspector?
The building owner or owner representative. The following is an excerpt from the TDLR FAQs regarding building owners responsibilities:
11. My elevator contractor told me that they will select the inspector and that the owner must not choose the inspector. Is that correct?
No. The owner has the sole right to select the inspector who enters upon the property. An owner may delegate that power to the elevator contractor but may withdraw that power at any time. The owner has the sole power to determine who enters into their building, including which inspector and elevator contractor. Unauthorized entry onto property may be considered trespassing.
How much does it cost to have an elevator inspected?
Rates vary depending on the base fee charged by the inspector, the type of equipment (hydraulic, traction, escalator, etc), the type of inspection (annual, five year, final acceptance, pre inspection, re inspection, etc.) and the location. Contact AAA Elevator Inspections for a custom quote of the units you would like to be inspected.
What is the Certificate of Compliance, and how do I get one?
The Certificate of Compliance states that the elevator has been inspected and is in compliance with the Elevator Safety Code, Administrative Rules, and the Elevator Safety law.
After the elevator has been inspected, the elevator inspector will give the building owner/representative the inspection report. By signing the report at the bottom, the owner/representative states that any violations have been taken care of or will be taken care of. When the report is sent in with the $20/elevator fee, TDLR will send the Certificate of Complaince. The exception is if there are repeat violations. The violations will need to be corrected and verified complete by an elevator inspector before the Certificate is issued.
What do all these boxes on the inspection form mean?
Please see the page “Elevator Inspection Form”
Elevator Inspection Form 1
Elevator Inspection Form 1Elevator Inspection Form 2
Elevator Inspection Form 2When is an elevator required to be turned off?
- If there is a “reportable condition” (see “If there is a violation, does the elevator have to be re inspected?”)
- If there has been an accident.
- If, in the opinion of the elevator inspector, there is a defective part directly affecting the safety of the operation of the equipment.
Where do I file a complaint?
Complaints can be filed on the TDLR website.