Short answer: To prepare for an elevator inspection, confirm one date with your elevator company, inspector, fire alarm vendor and generator vendor; reserve the elevators and notify residents; give access to machine rooms, pits, the roof and fire control room; and have last year's report and open violations ready.
60 to 90 days before
- Confirm the certificate expiration date and the AHJ
- Review last year's report for open violations
- Find out whether any unit is due for a Category 3 or 5 test
- Consider a pre-inspection survey to catch issues early
2 to 4 weeks before
- Lock one date that works for every vendor
- Fire alarm vendor on site for firefighters' recall tests
- Generator vendor on site for emergency power tests, if the building has one
- Elevator company confirms technician, helper and test weights (Category 5)
Inspection day
- Notify residents or tenants and post elevator outage notices
- Keys and access to machine rooms, pits, roof and fire control room
- Someone authorized to sign reports where wet signatures are required (City of Miami)
- In Miami Beach, a technician with a Certificate of Competency must be on site
Frequently asked questions
Why does my elevator inspection need the fire alarm company?
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.
Sources
Last reviewed November 3, 2026 by Integrity Elevator Inspections. Codes and fees change; confirm current requirements with your authority having jurisdiction.