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Testing of Conveyances

Subject of Revision

Updates include the following

Current code numbers and latest edition of Wisconsin Administrative Code ch. SPS 318 Elevators, Escalators and Lift Devices. Link to SPS 318
License or registration of personnel performing tests
Filing and reviewing of test forms
Reduced testing of dumbwaiters
Conveyances covered by ASME A18.1

Requirements and Purpose of Testing

The adopted ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators (2016) requires periodic testing of many components of elevators, escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters and other conveyances.

The adopted ASME A18.1 Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts (2017) requires 5-year testing of slack rope and overspeed safety devices. Note: tests of safety nuts for screw drive platform lifts are not required if such a test would be destructive to the safety nut. All other types of safety devices for A18.1, conveyances require 5-year testing.

Completed up-to-date test forms must show the correct performance of all tests applicable to the conveyance.

Completed forms must include the date of the tests, the name and firm of the person performing the tests and their valid license or registration number.

Properly completed tests performed at the required intervals are critical to ensure all components will function as intended to safeguard users of conveyances, buildings and sites.

Test Forms

Test forms may be accessed on the DSPS web page here: Conveyance Program Documents. Select “Forms” from the list.

For elevators within the city of Madison, please use the forms provided by the Madison Fire Department.

Persons Performing Tests

See SPS 305 Subchapter X for requirements for licensing of elevator mechanics, elevator mechanics-restricted and lift mechanics as well as registration of other elevator and lift personnel.

Link to SPS 305

License or registration holders with current “elevator” credentials may perform tests of any conveyance within the scope of SPS 318.

License or registration holders with current “lift” credentials may perform tests of any conveyance within the scope of ASME A18.1 and ASME A17.1 sections 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.8.

The licenses or registrations of personnel performing conveyance testing must be current. Tests performed by persons with expired credentials are invalid and must be performed again by personnel having current licenses.

Exception

The required quarterly checks of hydraulic elevator oil usage [SPS 318.17086(11)(a) 1.] and firefighters emergency operation (FEO) key switches [SPS 318.17086(11)(b)] may be performed by licensed or registered elevator personnel, the conveyance owner or an owner's representative. The results of these checks are to be part of the maintenance record as required by A17.1, 8.6.1.4.1(c)(1) and (2) and SPS 318.17086(11)(a) 2.

Note: Agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) may require the FEO key switch test to be performed monthly instead of quarterly in facilities licensed by DHS.

Witnessing of Tests

The licensed elevator inspector responsible for the inspection of a conveyance may request witnessing of the tests for that conveyance according to SPS 318.17086(4).

Also see SPS 318.170811(2)

Test Procedures, Methods, and Devices

ASME A17.1 Conveyances

The procedures, methods, and devices necessary to perform all required tests must be provided to the conveyance owner as required by SPS 318.17086(2)(a) 2. and A17.1, 8.6.1.2.2(b)(1) - (5). For new conveyances, the procedures, methods, and devices are to be provided by the elevator contractor performing the installation of the equipment.

When any alteration, repair or replacement is made to existing conveyance components, all applicable updates to the procedures, methods, or devices necessary for testing must be provided by the elevator contractor performing the alteration, repair or replacement.

See SPS 318.17086(2)(b)

The procedures, methods, and devices necessary to perform tests are to be included in the maintenance control program (MCP) as required by A17.1, 8.6.1.2.2(b). The MCP must be located as required by SPS 318.17086(2)(c) and available to elevator personnel at the time of the testing.

An elevator inspector may fail an acceptance inspection of a new installation or an alteration, repair or replacement or may fail an annual inspection if any of the procedures, methods, and devices necessary to perform tests are not in the MCP at the time of the inspection.

All contents of the MCP are the property of the conveyance owner. Any part of the MCP may be removed only with the permission of the conveyance owner according to SPS 318.17086(2)(a) 2. Removal without expressed permission of the owner may be considered criminal theft of property.

Note: Test frequency for dumbwaiters has been changed so Category 1 testing of dumbwaiters may occur every 5 years (at the same time as any 5-year testing that may apply to the dumbwaiter) instead of annually per SPS 318.170811(8).

ASME A18.1 Conveyances

Conveyances within the scope of ASME A18.1 are subject to one-year and three-year inspections and tests only when an annual inspection finds a need for such a test due to wear, damage, corrosion, or other changes. Category 1 test forms do not include A18.1 conveyances because this is expected to be rare.

Conveyances with safety devices actuated by slackening of suspension members or by overspeed governors are subject to the 5-year safety device test therefore these conveyances appear on the 5-year safety test form.

Note: Inspection (not test) frequency for stairway chairlifts has changed from annual to every 3 years per SPS 318.1810(4).

Location of Completed Test Forms

A record of the periodic tests shall be included in the conveyance Maintenance Record.

See SPS 318.17086(5) for details.

Applicability of Test Results to an Annual Inspection and Permit to Operate

Per SPS 318.17087(14), test results may only be applied to one permit-to-operate (PTO). Tests results may only apply for the renewal of the past (expired) PTO or if the PTO is not expired, the tests may only apply to the next PTO.

One set of test results may not be used to satisfy the requirements of an inspection failed due to expired tests and also be used to satisfy for the testing at the time of the next annual inspection.

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