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.

What should I do if a defect is found during a quarterly service?

Record the defect on the service report with a clear description, severity rating and photographic evidence. Critical defects affecting passenger safety, such as a failed safety edge, inoperative emergency phone or non-functional fire recall, must be addressed before the elevator is returned to service. Major defects should be scheduled for repair within 28 days. Minor defects can be monitored and addressed at the next service interval. Notify building management of all defects and the planned corrective action.

Is this elevator quarterly service checklist free to download?

Yes, this elevator quarterly service checklist is completely free to download as a PDF. No account or signup is required. The checklist covers door systems, safety devices, guide rails, controller inspection and pit checks. For teams wanting to go digital, MapTrack automates scheduling, sends overdue alerts and stores completed records in the cloud for instant retrieval during regulatory inspections and compliance audits.

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Free elevator quarterly service checklist (PDF-ready). Doors, safety systems, guide rails, pit inspection and controller checks. Download free.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a elevator / lift quarterly service procedure?

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.

Elevators are classified as registrable plant under the WHS Regulations 2011, Chapter 5, and must be maintained in accordance with AS 1735 (Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks). The quarterly service is the primary interval for catching wear on door operators, landing door interlocks and guide shoes before they progress to passenger entrapments or ride quality complaints. In commercial buildings, elevator availability directly affects tenant satisfaction, lease compliance and building reputation. Facility managers who maintain a consistent quarterly service history are better positioned to demonstrate compliance during regulatory inspections, defend insurance claims and forecast capital expenditure for modernisation programmes based on observed component condition rather than arbitrary age-based replacement schedules.

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Benefits of using this elevator / lift quarterly service procedure

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 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 quarterly service procedure

This elevator / lift quarterly service procedure covers 8 key 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.

How to use this elevator / lift quarterly service procedure

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.: Coordinate the service window with building management. Post signs on every landing door and disable hall call buttons if possible. Switch to inspection mode from the car top operating panel to allow controlled low-speed travel.
Record the equipment details (make, model, type, serial number, floors served) and service date at the top of the form.: Capture the lift registration number, installation date, rated load, rated speed, number of stops and the controller type. Cross-reference with the previous quarterly service report for continuity.
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.: Test the safety edge or light curtain by placing an obstruction in the door path at multiple heights. Verify doors reopen within 1 second. Check nudging mode engages after the correct hold-open timeout. Verify the door restrictor prevents opening unless the car is within the landing zone.
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).: Measure levelling accuracy at three representative floors. The car floor should be within 10 mm of the landing floor at each stop. Check that all car lighting is functional and the ventilation fan operates correctly.
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).: Verify the emergency phone connects to the monitoring centre within 30 seconds. Simulate a power failure to test emergency lighting duration. Trigger Phase 1 fire recall via the fire panel interface and confirm the car returns to the designated floor with doors open. Test Phase 2 firefighter operation from the car.
Access the controller: download or review the fault log, inspect relays and contactors for signs of arcing, overheating or wear.: Print or download the fault log from the controller. Review for recurring faults such as door faults, levelling errors or safety circuit trips. Inspect relay contacts for pitting or burn marks. Check contactor tips for excessive wear and replace if heavily pitted.
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.: Travel the full shaft on inspection mode, checking guide rails for alignment, surface condition and bracket tightness. Apply lubricant to T-section rails using the approved applicator. Check ropes for broken wires, birdcaging or uneven wear. Verify limit switch operation at both terminal floors.
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.: Check buffer springs for corrosion and correct compression. For oil buffers, verify oil level and check for leaks. Ensure the pit is clean, dry and free of debris. Test the pit lighting and sump pump. Verify the pit ladder is securely mounted.
Return the elevator to normal service, remove out-of-service signs, set the next service due date and sign off.: Switch from inspection mode back to normal operation. Perform a final test run across all floors. Remove out-of-service signs from all landing doors. Record the next quarterly service date (3 months) and sign off with technician licence number.

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How often should you complete this service procedure?

Quarterly services should be performed every three months. This is the baseline maintenance frequency for most commercial and residential elevators under AS 1735. Between quarterly services, monthly callback checks may be performed on high-traffic elevators to address specific complaints or ride quality issues. The annual service, which includes load testing, safety gear testing and compliance certification, is performed once every 12 months and is the point at which the compliance certificate is renewed. High-traffic elevators in hospitals, transport hubs and large commercial buildings may benefit from monthly servicing to reduce callback rates. In MapTrack, set up quarterly and annual schedules for each elevator with automatic reminders and a compliance dashboard showing certification status.

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
EN 81
WHS Regulations 2011

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