Free elevator quarterly service checklist
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A step-by-step quarterly service procedure for traction and hydraulic elevators (lifts). Covers door operation checks, safety edge and light curtain testing, car interior inspection, levelling accuracy, emergency phone and lighting tests, fire recall mode (Phase 1 and Phase 2), controller inspection with fault log review, guide rail and guide shoe inspection, car top inspection, pit inspection (buffers, sump pump, ladder) and call-back data logging. Includes lubricant specifications, parts list and technician sign-off. This page explains what the service involves, how to perform it, and offers a free PDF-ready form you can download straight away.
Last updated: 2026-03-26 · MapTrack
Commercial Director
How to use: Fill equipment details (make, model, type, floors served), then work through each service action. Tick Done as each task is completed. Record any defects in notes. Set the next service due date and sign off.
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See the first part of the service procedure below. Enter your email above to download the full elevator quarterly service procedure (PDF-ready).
What is an elevator quarterly service?
An elevator quarterly service is a routine preventive maintenance procedure performed every three months on traction and hydraulic elevators (lifts). It is the baseline scheduled service interval for most commercial and residential elevators and is designed to identify wear, faults and safety issues before they lead to breakdowns or entrapments. The procedure covers mechanical components (doors, guide rails, sheaves, ropes), safety systems (emergency phone, fire recall, emergency lighting), the controller (fault log, relays, contactors) and the pit (buffers, sump pump, cleanliness). Unlike a monthly call-back check (which focuses on specific complaints), the quarterly service is a systematic inspection of all major systems. It is typically performed by a licensed elevator technician with the car on inspection mode.
Benefits of scheduled elevator servicing
- Reduced entrapments: regular door and safety system checks prevent the most common cause of passenger entrapment in elevators.
- Extended component life: lubricated guide rails, properly tensioned ropes and serviced door operators last significantly longer than neglected components.
- Lower repair costs: a quarterly service costs a fraction of an emergency call-out for a stuck elevator. Catching worn sheave grooves or fraying ropes early prevents major replacements.
- Tenant and occupant safety: testing fire recall, emergency phone and emergency lighting ensures these critical safety features work when needed.
- Compliance: documented service records demonstrate that the elevator is maintained to AS 1735 standards, supporting annual compliance certification.
- Building value: a well-maintained elevator with complete service history supports building valuations and reduces liability for building owners and facilities managers.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you move from paper or static PDFs to digital forms in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
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- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
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- 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).
Book a demo to see digital service procedures and compliance scheduling in MapTrack.
Service actions included in the quarterly procedure
This service procedure covers 14 service actions across 8 system areas:
- Doors: check car and landing door operation (open, close, nudging), test safety edge / light curtain / door reopening device, check door restrictor.
- Car interior: inspect lighting, floor, handrails, mirror and ventilation; check levelling accuracy at each floor.
- Safety systems: test emergency phone / intercom, check emergency lighting, test fire recall mode (Phase 1 and Phase 2).
- Controller: inspect controller, check fault log, inspect relay condition and contactors.
- Guide rails and mechanical: inspect guide rails and guide shoes for lubrication and wear.
- Car top inspection: sheave condition, deflector sheave, rope or chain condition, limit switches.
- Pit inspection: check buffer springs or oil buffers, inspect pit cleanliness, lighting, sump pump and ladder.
- Records: log call-back data and fault history.
Lubricant specifications
General lubricant specifications for traction and hydraulic elevators. Products and grades vary by manufacturer.
| System | Type / Grade | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Guide rail lubricant | Elevator rail oil or light machine oil | Apply to T-section rails |
| Door track lubricant | Dry silicone spray or PTFE lubricant | Landing and car door tracks |
| Hydraulic oil (hydraulic lifts) | ISO VG 32 or VG 46 (AW type) | Check level and condition |
| Gearbox oil (geared traction) | ISO VG 220 or manufacturer spec | Check level at quarterly |
Specifications are general guidelines. Always refer to the manufacturer's service manual for your specific make and model.
Parts and consumables
Have the following parts and consumables ready before starting the quarterly service:
- Guide rail lubricant (elevator rail oil or light machine oil)
- Door track lubricant (dry silicone spray or PTFE lubricant)
- Hydraulic oil (hydraulic lifts only) - as required for top-up
- Gearbox oil (geared traction only) - as required for top-up
- Cleaning cloths, inspection mirror and torch
Look up part numbers in the manufacturer's parts manual for your specific make and model before ordering.
How to perform an elevator quarterly service
- Notify building management and post out-of-service signs on all landing doors. Place the elevator on inspection mode from the car top or machine room.
- Record the equipment details (make, model, type, serial number, floors served) and service date at the top of the form.
- Start with door checks: ride each floor, observe car and landing door open/close operation, nudging behaviour, safety edge and light curtain response. Check the door restrictor if fitted.
- Inspect the car interior: check lighting, floor condition, handrails, mirror and ventilation. Test levelling accuracy at each floor (car floor should be flush with landing floor).
- Test all safety systems: call the emergency phone from inside the car, check emergency lighting in the car and on landings, and test fire recall mode Phase 1 (recall to designated floor) and Phase 2 (firefighter operation).
- Access the controller: download or review the fault log, inspect relays and contactors for signs of arcing, overheating or wear.
- Inspect guide rails and guide shoes from the car top. Lubricate T-section rails if required. Check sheave condition, deflector sheave, rope or chain condition and limit switches.
- Descend to the pit: check buffer springs or oil buffers, inspect pit cleanliness, lighting, sump pump operation and ladder condition. Log all call-back data and fault history.
- Return the elevator to normal service, remove out-of-service signs, set the next service due date and sign off.
In MapTrack, you can schedule quarterly and annual services, complete procedures on mobile and link every record to the elevator. Book a demo to see how.
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Back to download formElevator service interval hierarchy
Elevator maintenance follows a tiered schedule where the annual service includes all tasks from the quarterly service. This is called carry-forward or cumulative servicing.
Quarterly - Routine service (you are here)
Doors, safety systems, guide rails, controller, pit inspection, call-back data. Estimated 2-3 hours.
Annual - Comprehensive service
All quarterly tasks plus traction/hydraulic system inspection, load and speed tests, safety gear and governor tests, electrical insulation tests, compliance inspection per AS 1735. Estimated 4-8 hours.
In MapTrack, you can configure quarterly and annual service schedules and receive automatic alerts when each interval is due.
Frequently asked questions
- What is included in an elevator quarterly service?
- An elevator quarterly service covers door operation checks (car and landing doors, safety edges, light curtains), car interior inspection (lighting, floor, handrails, mirror, ventilation), levelling accuracy at each floor, emergency phone and lighting tests, fire recall mode testing (Phase 1 and Phase 2), controller inspection with fault log review, guide rail and guide shoe inspection, car top inspection (sheaves, ropes or chains, limit switches), pit inspection (buffers, cleanliness, lighting, sump pump, ladder) and call-back data logging. It takes approximately 2 to 3 hours for a standard traction or hydraulic elevator.
- How often should an elevator be serviced?
- Elevators typically follow a quarterly and annual service schedule. Quarterly services cover routine inspections of doors, safety systems, guide rails, the controller and the pit. Annual services include all quarterly items plus full traction or hydraulic system inspection, load and speed testing, safety gear and governor testing, electrical insulation tests and a compliance inspection per AS 1735. Monthly call-back checks may also be performed between quarterly services. Always follow the maintenance schedule specified in AS 1735 and the manufacturer service manual.
- What standard governs elevator maintenance in Australia?
- Elevator maintenance in Australia is governed by AS 1735 (Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks). This standard sets requirements for routine servicing, safety testing, compliance inspections and documentation. State and territory regulations may impose additional requirements. Annual compliance certificates are typically required by the building authority or regulator.
- Is the template free to use without MapTrack?
- Yes. Download and use the elevator quarterly service procedure for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital service procedures linked to each elevator with scheduling, compliance tracking and alerts, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.
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