Free elevator / lift annual service procedure
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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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See the first part of the elevator / lift annual service procedure below. Download the full version above.
What is a 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 must be inspected and maintained in accordance with AS 1735 (Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks). State and territory regulators require annual compliance inspections, and the compliance certificate issued at the annual service is the legal document that permits continued operation. 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.
Learn more about maintenance and work orders in MapTrack.
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.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- 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.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
- Trigger work orders automatically when a fault is logged during an inspection.
- 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 a 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. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
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Back to download formHow often should you complete this service procedure?
An elevator annual service must be performed once every 12 months. This frequency aligns with AS 1735 compliance certification requirements. 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.
Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:
- AS 1735 (Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks)
- ASME A17.1 (Safety Code for Elevators)
- EN 81 (Safety Rules for Lifts)
- WHS Regulations 2011
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