Elevator inspection questions, answered

No. IEI has no ownership, referral or financial ties to any elevator contractor. We work for the building.

We have offices in Miami, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Delray Beach and serve Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Call (484) 844-2762, email office@ieinspection.com or use the contact form on this website. We reply within one business day.

Pricing depends on the number and type of units and the services you need. Send us your property details and we will send a clear proposal.

Every year. Florida requires a routine inspection and Category 1 periodic test annually for each elevator, plus a Category 5 test every five years for traction elevators. Your local authority having jurisdiction issues or renews the certificate of operation after a passing inspection and payment of fees.

A licensed technician from your registered elevator company performs the tests. The Certified Elevator Inspector inspects the equipment, witnesses the tests, records the results and files the report with the authority having jurisdiction.

It depends on the number and type of units. A single hydraulic elevator can often be completed in under an hour; larger traction groups, fire service and emergency power tests take longer. We give you a time estimate when we schedule.

Florida generally gives owners 90 days to correct cited violations. A call-back (re-inspection) then documents the corrections. Our pre-inspection survey is designed to catch those items before inspection day.

No. The five-year Category 5 test applies to traction (electric) elevators. Hydraulic elevators have their own periodic tests, including the annual Category 1 test and, for certain hydraulic systems, a three-year Category 3 test.

A certified elevator inspector witnesses the test performed by the elevator company. Some jurisdictions add requirements; for example, Miami Beach requires a Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) to witness third-party tests and a technician with a Certificate of Competency on site.

Your prior inspection reports and test tags show the test history for each unit. Send us your last report and we will confirm which tests are due and when.

Yes. Escalators and moving walks are regulated conveyances under Chapter 399, Florida Statutes, and need a current certificate of operation renewed after a passing inspection.

Yes, lifts in commercial and multifamily buildings are regulated conveyances and need a current certificate of operation. Private residential lifts in single-family homes are handled differently and may fall under the local building department.

Generally 90 days from the inspection that cited them (section 399.105, Florida Statutes). A call-back inspection by a certified inspector documents the corrections. If more time is needed, ask your AHJ about a variance before the deadline.

It depends on the address. The City of Miami, City of Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County Office of Elevator Safety and Broward County are state-contracted jurisdictions. Palm Beach County and other non-contracted counties are handled by the Florida DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety.

It varies by jurisdiction. State (DBPR) and Broward County certificates expire July 31 each year. Miami Beach uses an anniversary date based on the last inspection. Miami-Dade mails renewal notices at the end of May.

Operating a regulated conveyance without a current certificate of operation can lead to fines and administrative action. Some local AHJs, such as Broward County, can fine up to $1,000 per occurrence. Renew before expiration to avoid penalties.

In plain view in or on the conveyance, typically inside the elevator car, so passengers and inspectors can see it is current.

The elevator company performs the tests, but the inspection must be performed and filed by a certified elevator inspector. Choosing an inspector who is independent of your elevator company avoids a conflict of interest.

No. The Category 5 full-load test applies to traction (electric) elevators. Hydraulic elevators have annual Category 1 tests and, for certain systems, a three-year Category 3 test.

Yes. Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Bal Harbour, Coral Gables, Doral, Key Biscayne, Homestead and other Miami-Dade municipalities fall under the Miami-Dade County Office of Elevator Safety.

Schedule the annual inspection well before the expiration date, at least 60 days ahead, and assign someone to confirm the filing and payment. IEI's Integrity Certificate Program does this for you every year.

They vary by AHJ. The City of Miami can fine up to $1,000 per violation per elevator, and Miami Beach up to $500 for each 30-day period a violation stays uncorrected.

Firefighters' emergency operation tests require smoke detectors in the lobby, machine room and hoistway to trigger elevator recall. Your fire alarm vendor activates those detectors and restores the panel afterward.

Not necessarily. When the elevator company brings the inspector, the cost is still passed to the building. Hiring directly lets you see the price and choose the service level.

QEI stands for Qualified Elevator Inspector, a certification based on the ASME QEI-1 standard. Some jurisdictions, such as Miami Beach, require a QEI to witness third-party tests.

At least 12 months before the renewal date, so there is time to review terms, document performance and run a bid if needed before the notice window closes.

It is strongly recommended. Without one, each contractor proposes a different scope, which makes price comparisons misleading. A specification makes every bid comparable and becomes part of the signed contract.

At least a year before the renewal or termination notice window, and any time invoices or callbacks rise unexpectedly. Many contracts renew automatically if notice is not given on time.

Look for current maintenance records on site, clean machine rooms and pits, and steady callback numbers. An independent evaluation compares the actual condition of the equipment to what the contract requires.

Rising callbacks, obsolete or unavailable parts, poor leveling and ride quality, and repeated code violations are common signs. Most controllers are considered for modernization after 20 to 25 years, but condition matters more than age.

Never. Bid pricing stays confidential between IEI and the owner. That is one of the commitments behind our name.

Modernizations are large, disruptive projects. An owner's representative catches scope gaps, unjustified change orders and quality issues while they can still be fixed, and protects the building through closeout.

Yes. Elevators are a major building component with a predictable replacement cycle. A condition assessment gives your reserve study provider realistic timing and costs.

It depends on the number of units and access, but we work to your closing timeline. Tell us your deadline when you request a proposal.

Uncorrected violations can lead to fines and keep your certificate from being issued. We follow up with your contractor, document delays and, if necessary, help you request a variance from the AHJ.

Often, yes. Most AHJs offer a variance or corrective action plan. Broward County, for example, accepts a Temporary Petition for Variance with a corrective action plan, signed inspection reports and a contractor proposal.

Common causes include worn guide rollers or shoes, rail alignment, rope or belt tension, and controller tuning. Measured analysis pinpoints the source so you pay for the right fix.

Accidents involving regulated conveyances must be reported to the authority having jurisdiction. Broward County, for example, requires an accident report within five working days. Contact your AHJ promptly and preserve records.

Typically the incident details, equipment condition, maintenance and callback records, inspection history, contracts and the codes in effect. The expert explains the findings in plain language for the court.

Remove the elevator from service, have your elevator company assess it before restoring power, photograph everything and notify your insurer. An independent evaluation helps document the full scope of damage.

Usually, but only on the terms in the contract. Many agreements renew automatically for multiple years unless notice is given in a narrow window. Documented performance failures can also matter. Have the contract reviewed before acting.