Free elevator / lift annual service procedure
Free elevator annual service checklist (PDF-ready). Traction and hydraulic inspection, load tests, safety gear and AS 1735 compliance. Download free.
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Updated 26 Oct 2026
Elevator Annual Service Procedure
Annual service - traction and hydraulic elevator / lift (per AS 1735)
Traction System (Traction Lifts)
Hydraulic System (Hydraulic Lifts)
Door Operator Service
Electrical Tests
Load and Speed Tests
Safety Gear and Governor
Compensation and Clearances
Compliance
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Short answer
An elevator annual service procedure records the yearly lift service: quarterly items plus traction or hydraulic system inspection, door operator service, electrical tests, safety gear and governor tests, clearances and load tests. Lift technicians complete it once a year as common practice. Lifts are registrable plant under Schedule 5 of the WHS Regulations, and regulation 237 requires records of their tests, inspections and maintenance.
Checked against Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack elevator / lift annual service procedure contains 19 checks across 8 sections. Sections covered: Traction System (Traction Lifts), Hydraulic System (Hydraulic Lifts), Door Operator Service, Electrical Tests, Load and Speed Tests, Safety Gear and Governor, Compensation and Clearances, Compliance.
- The annual service runs every quarterly item first, then adds rope and brake inspection, door operator servicing, electrical tests, load and speed tests and safety gear testing.
- Measure car speed in both directions against rated speed under the load the test procedure specifies, then load the car beyond rated capacity to confirm the overload device triggers.
- On traction lifts, measure wire rope diameter at several points and count broken wires per lay. On hydraulic lifts, measure cylinder drift over 10 minutes at rated load.
- Trip the overspeed governor at its set speed, confirm the safety gear stops the car, then reset the governor and check that it resets correctly.
- Agree the out-of-service window with the lift contractor in advance, post signs on every landing door and arrange other access for occupants with limited mobility.
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What is an elevator / lift annual service procedure?
An elevator annual service is a comprehensive preventive maintenance and compliance inspection performed once every 12 months. It includes all quarterly service items (doors, safety systems, guide rails, controller, pit) plus additional tasks that are only performed annually: full traction or hydraulic system inspection, door operator servicing, electrical insulation and earth continuity testing, load testing at rated capacity and 110% overload, speed testing in both directions, safety gear and overspeed governor testing, compensation inspection, car and counterweight clearance verification, and a compliance inspection per AS 1735. The annual service is the point at which the compliance certificate is renewed. It is performed by a licensed elevator technician and may require coordination with a third-party inspector or regulator.
In Australia, elevators are classified as registrable plant under the WHS Regulations 2011, Chapter 5, and each registration lasts 5 years (regulation 272). A lift must be maintained and inspected by a competent person following the manufacturer recommendations (regulation 213), with records of tests, inspections and maintenance kept (regulation 237), and AS 1735 (Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks) is the technical standard. Some states and territories add their own inspection or certificate requirements, so check with your regulator. Building owners and facility managers who fail to maintain current compliance certificates face enforcement action, insurance claim rejection and potential liability for injuries arising from elevator malfunctions. The annual service also generates the detailed maintenance record that supports asset lifecycle planning, informs capital budgeting for modernisation programmes and provides the evidence trail needed during coroner inquiries or WorkSafe investigations following elevator incidents.
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Benefits of using this elevator / lift annual service procedure
- Compliance certification: the annual service is typically required for renewal of the compliance certificate under AS 1735. Without it, the elevator may be ordered out of service by the regulator.
- Safety assurance: load testing, safety gear testing and governor testing verify that the most critical safety systems are functioning to specification.
- Early detection of major wear: wire rope measurement, sheave groove inspection and brake lining assessment catch high-cost replacements before they become emergencies.
- Reduced long-term costs: replacing a door operator belt during a scheduled annual service is far cheaper than an emergency call-out for a stuck door.
- Insurance and liability: documented annual service records and a current compliance certificate protect building owners and facilities managers from liability.
- Asset longevity: a well-maintained elevator with complete annual service history will operate reliably for decades longer than a neglected one.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you digitise elevator service procedures in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Email the right people when a form is submitted, with an automation you set up.
- File every completed form against the asset, location or person it covers.
- Download any completed form as a PDF, with failed answers listed at the top.
- Fill in forms offline; they upload when the device is back online.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Set who can view, fill in or edit forms with user roles.
- Upload a paper form (PDF, Word, Excel or a photo) and MapTrack's AI builds a digital version for you to check.
- Raise a work order from a submitted form with an automation you set up.
- Track service intervals by hours, kilometres or calendar date in one place.
- Attach supplier invoices and parts receipts to each maintenance record.
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What to include in an elevator / lift annual service procedure
This elevator / lift annual service procedure covers 8 key areas:
- Traction system (traction lifts): inspect wire ropes (measure diameter, count broken wires per lay), inspect sheave grooves for wear and cracks, inspect machine brake (reline if needed), check and change gearbox oil.
- Hydraulic system (hydraulic lifts): check cylinder for drift, check oil level and condition, inspect control valves and hoses.
- Door operator service: service motor, belt or chain, rollers, clutch and speed adjustment.
- Electrical tests: insulation resistance test on motor, earth continuity test.
- Load and speed tests: rated capacity load test, 110% overload test, speed test (up and down, compare to rated).
- Safety gear and governor: safety gear test (overspeed governor trip), governor test and reset.
- Compensation and clearances: inspect compensation (ropes, chain or tape), check car and counterweight clearances (pit and overhead).
- Compliance: compliance inspection per AS 1735, update compliance certificate.
How to use this elevator / lift annual service procedure
- Notify building management and schedule the elevator out of service for the duration (4-8 hours). Post out-of-service signs on all landing doors.: Coordinate the shutdown timing with building management to minimise disruption. Post clear out-of-service signs on every landing door and arrange alternative access for mobility-impaired occupants if required.
- Complete all quarterly service items first (doors, safety systems, guide rails, controller, pit inspection). Use the quarterly service procedure as a checklist.: Run through every item on the quarterly checklist and record results. Any quarterly defects must be documented before proceeding to annual-specific tasks to ensure traceability.
- Access the machine room. Inspect the traction system (wire ropes, sheave grooves, machine brake, gearbox oil) or the hydraulic system (cylinder drift, oil level, control valves, hoses) depending on elevator type.: For traction lifts, measure wire rope diameter at multiple points and count broken wires per lay length. Inspect sheave grooves for uneven wear or cracking. Check machine brake lining thickness and gearbox oil level and condition. For hydraulic lifts, measure cylinder drift over 10 minutes at rated load and check oil for discolouration or contamination.
- Service the door operator: check motor, belt or chain, rollers, clutch and speed adjustment. Replace the belt if worn.: Inspect the door motor brushes, belt tension and roller bearings. Adjust door open and close speed to within the manufacturer specification, typically 0.3 to 0.5 m/s. Replace worn belts or chains and lubricate roller tracks as required.
- Perform electrical tests: insulation resistance on the motor and earth continuity. Record readings.: Use a 500V megger for the traction motor or hydraulic pump motor. Record insulation resistance in megaohms and compare to previous annual readings. Perform earth continuity testing on all exposed metalwork and record results in ohms.
- Conduct load tests: rated capacity test and 110% overload test. Measure speed in both directions and compare to rated speed. Record all results.: Use calibrated test weights to load the car to rated capacity. Run the car full travel and record up and down speed. Then load to 110% and verify the overload device triggers correctly. Speed should be within 5% of rated. Record all measurements on the annual test certificate.
- Test safety gear (overspeed governor trip) and reset the governor. Inspect compensation (ropes, chain or tape). Check car and counterweight clearances in the pit and overhead.: Trigger the overspeed governor at the set speed and verify the safety gear engages and stops the car. Reset the governor and verify it resets correctly. Measure car and counterweight buffer clearances in the pit and overhead, comparing to AS 1735 minimum requirements.
- Complete the compliance inspection per AS 1735. Update the compliance certificate. Record any defects, recommendations or parts replaced in the notes section.: Work through the AS 1735 compliance checklist covering safety systems, structural integrity, electrical testing and performance. Issue the annual compliance certificate and affix it in the machine room. Record all parts replaced and any outstanding defects requiring follow-up.
- Return the elevator to normal service, remove out-of-service signs, set the next quarterly and annual service due dates and sign off.: Perform a final test run before returning to normal service. Remove all out-of-service signs from landing doors. Record the next quarterly service date (3 months) and next annual service date (12 months). Sign off with technician licence number.
In MapTrack, you can schedule and track maintenance digitally, by date or meter reading. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full elevator / lift annual service procedure as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this service procedure?
This template sets the elevator annual service once every 12 months. Check the manufacturer recommendations, AS 1735 and your state or territory registration conditions for the intervals that apply. The annual service is typically the point at which the compliance certificate is renewed by the regulator or accredited inspector. Between annual services, quarterly services maintain the elevator in safe operating condition and catch developing faults before they affect safety or availability. High-traffic elevators in commercial buildings, hospitals and public infrastructure may benefit from monthly inspections of high-wear components such as door operators, landing door interlocks and car ride quality. In MapTrack, set up annual and quarterly service schedules for each elevator with automatic reminders and compliance certificate expiry tracking.
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Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The template alone does not establish compliance.
| Standard | Edition | Clauses this template relies on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Work Health and Safety RegulationsModel Schedule 5 lists lifts, escalators and moving walkways as items of plant requiring registration, and records of tests and maintenance are kept. | Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011) |
| Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee) |
| Lifts, escalators and moving walks (AS 1735 series)Australian lift standards series. Requirements sit in its numbered parts, so check which part applies to the installation. | Multi-part series. Current parts at check date: AS 1735.1.1:2022, AS 1735.1.2:2021, AS 1735.1.3:2021, AS 1735.1.4:2021, AS 1735.4:2020, AS 1735.5.1:2019, AS 1735.5.2:2019, AS 1735.5.3:2019, AS 1735.5.4:2019, AS 1735.7-1998, AS 1735.8-1986, AS 1735.8.1:2020, AS 1735.9-1994, AS 1735.11-1986, AS 1735.12:2020, AS 1735.14-1998, AS 1735.15:2021, AS/NZS 1735.18:2002, AS 1735.19:2019, AS 1735.20:2020 | Whole instrument | Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
| Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)Victoria: inspection and maintenance records for specified plant, including lifts. | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), version 018 (in force from 20 October 2026) |
| Victorian Government (Victorian Legislation) |
| Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplaceGuidance on plant registration and the records kept for registered plant. | November 2024 version (reviewed May 2018; amended 2021, 2023 and 2024) |
| Safe Work Australia |
| A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and EscalatorsUS elevator safety code, adopted state by state, often at an earlier edition. | ASME A17.1-2025 | Whole instrument | ASMESold by the publisher |
| Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 20: Passenger and goods passenger liftsEuropean standard for passenger and goods passenger lifts. | EN 81-20:2020 | Whole instrument | European Committee for Standardization (CEN); listed by BSISold by the publisher |
Model Work Health and Safety Regulations
Edition: Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011)
Model Schedule 5 lists lifts, escalators and moving walkways as items of plant requiring registration, and records of tests and maintenance are kept.
- Schedule 5: Plant requiring registration: plant designs (Part 1) and items of plant (Part 2), such as boilers and tower cranes.
- Part 5.2: Additional duties for registered plant and plant designs, including major crane inspections and records.
- reg 237: Records of tests, inspections, maintenance and alterations must be kept for plant required to be registered.
- reg 213: Plant must be maintained, inspected and, if necessary, tested by a competent person, following manufacturer or competent person recommendations; annual inspection applies only if neither is practicable.
Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)
Lifts, escalators and moving walks (AS 1735 series)
Edition: Multi-part series. Current parts at check date: AS 1735.1.1:2022, AS 1735.1.2:2021, AS 1735.1.3:2021, AS 1735.1.4:2021, AS 1735.4:2020, AS 1735.5.1:2019, AS 1735.5.2:2019, AS 1735.5.3:2019, AS 1735.5.4:2019, AS 1735.7-1998, AS 1735.8-1986, AS 1735.8.1:2020, AS 1735.9-1994, AS 1735.11-1986, AS 1735.12:2020, AS 1735.14-1998, AS 1735.15:2021, AS/NZS 1735.18:2002, AS 1735.19:2019, AS 1735.20:2020
Australian lift standards series. Requirements sit in its numbered parts, so check which part applies to the installation.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)
Edition: Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), version 018 (in force from 20 October 2026)
Victoria: inspection and maintenance records for specified plant, including lifts.
- reg 106: Requires records of inspection and maintenance to be kept for specified plant such as lifts, tower cranes, boilers and pressure vessels.
Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace
Edition: November 2024 version (reviewed May 2018; amended 2021, 2023 and 2024)
Guidance on plant registration and the records kept for registered plant.
- Section 5: Plant registration: design registration and item registration of plant.
- Section 6: Record keeping for plant: the records required for registered plant and plant with presence-sensing safeguarding.
A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
Edition: ASME A17.1-2025
US elevator safety code, adopted state by state, often at an earlier edition.
ASMESold by the publisher
Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 20: Passenger and goods passenger lifts
Edition: EN 81-20:2020
European standard for passenger and goods passenger lifts.
European Committee for Standardization (CEN); listed by BSISold by the publisher
Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.
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<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Elevator / lift annual service procedure</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Traction system (traction lifts): inspect wire ropes (measure diameter, count broken wires per lay), inspect sheave grooves for wear and cracks, inspect machine brake (reline if needed), check and change gearbox oil.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Hydraulic system (hydraulic lifts): check cylinder for drift, check oil level and condition, inspect control valves and hoses.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Door operator service: service motor, belt or chain, rollers, clutch and speed adjustment.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Electrical tests: insulation resistance test on motor, earth continuity test.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Load and speed tests: rated capacity load test, 110% overload test, speed test (up and down, compare to rated).</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Safety gear and governor: safety gear test (overspeed governor trip), governor test and reset.</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/elevator-annual-service" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Elevator / lift annual service procedure</a> by MapTrack</p>
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The MapTrack elevator / lift annual service procedure contains 19 checks across 8 sections.
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- MapTrack Elevator / lift annual service procedure, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/elevator-annual-service
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- MapTrack. (2026). Elevator / lift annual service procedure [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/elevator-annual-service
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