The secretary of a housing society in Faridabad is asked by a resident whether the lifts are actually inspected, and by whom. The honest answer has three parts: what staff can watch every day, what the service technician checks each month, and what the state inspector verifies on a longer cycle. This checklist separates the three, so every lift owner knows who is responsible for what.
A lift that runs smoothly can still be unsafe, and a lift that is a little noisy can still be sound. The difference is found by checking the right things at the right interval, and by the right person. This guide gives owners, facility managers and housing society committees a practical lift inspection and safety checklist. It is general information based on public sources, not legal advice, so confirm the rules that apply to your state before you act on any single point.
Three Layers of Lift Checking
Lift safety rests on three layers that do not replace each other:
- Observation by building staff and users, every day
- Service and inspection by a qualified maintenance agency, on a regular schedule
- Statutory inspection and certification by the state, on the cycle its law sets
Staff are not expected to open shaft doors, climb on the car roof or test safety gear. Their job is to notice, record and report. The technician and the state inspector do the technical work.
Daily and Weekly Observation Checklist
Security staff, lift attendants or a nominated caretaker can run through this list in a few minutes. Anything that looks wrong goes in the log book, and a serious fault means the lift is taken out of use.
- The car stops level with each floor, with no step up or down at the doorway
- Doors open and close smoothly, reverse when blocked, and do not slam
- Cabin lights and the emergency light work, and the fan runs
- Floor buttons, the alarm button and the intercom respond
- The floor indicator and arrival signal work correctly
- There is no unusual noise, vibration or burning smell
- The cabin floor, walls and handrail are free from damage or loose panels
- The inspection certificate, emergency instructions and any notices are displayed
- Landing areas are clear, and no one stores material against the doors
Test the alarm and intercom weekly, because they are the only way a trapped passenger can reach help.
Monthly Service Checklist
This work belongs to a registered technician. A typical monthly visit covers:
- Door operator, rollers, hangers and sill tracks, cleaned and adjusted
- Door interlocks and sensors, tested so the lift cannot run with a door unlocked
- Machine and brake, checked for wear, heat and correct holding
- Ropes or belts, checked for wear and tension
- Controller and safety circuit, checked for loose connections and fault records
- Pit, checked for water, dirt and oil
- Overload device, alarm, intercom and emergency light, tested
- Travelling cable, guide shoes and buffers, inspected
- The automatic rescue device and its battery, tested
After the visit the technician should make an entry in the log book and issue a record of what was checked and repaired. If your agency cannot show such records, ask why. Our elevator parts guide explains what these components do, which helps when you read a service report.
Periodic and Annual Checks
Some checks are done less often because they require more time or special equipment. Depending on the lift and the agreement, these usually include:
- Testing the overspeed governor and the safety gear
- Checking buffers, final limit switches and the machine brake under load
- Measuring insulation resistance and confirming earthing of the lift's electrical system
- Examining rope condition in detail and the sheave grooves
- Load testing where the lift's age or use calls for it
- A full review of the log book and the faults recorded over the year
These tests should be done by someone competent and independent of the person who sells you parts. Ask for a written report, not only a verbal assurance.
What the Law Expects of Lift Owners
Lift safety law in India is made by the states, so the details differ. Haryana, where our head office stands, is a useful example. According to the PRS Legislative Research summary of the Haryana Lifts and Escalators Act, 2008, as amended in 2020:
| Requirement | What the summary says |
|---|---|
| Registration | Owner applies within one month of completing erection |
| Annual papers | Owner submits the maintenance contract and an annual safety certificate each year |
| Inspection | Registered lifts are inspected once every three years |
| Log book | Owner keeps a log book of operation, breakdowns and accidents |
| Accidents | Owner reports any injury-causing accident within 24 hours |
| Insurance | Owner holds third-party insurance covering passengers |
| Life of a lift | Lifts are replaced after 20 years, with fresh registration |
The same summary notes rescue device requirements for taller buildings and a backup supply arrangement. The summary itself warns that it may not reflect the latest official text, so check the gazette or the state department before you rely on it.
Other states have their own rules. Uttar Pradesh, for example, introduced registration and monthly maintenance duties in 2024, and our UP Lift Act licence guide explains them in plain language.
Keeping the Records That Matter
An inspector or an insurer will ask for documents, so keep one file for each lift:
- The registration certificate or number
- The log book with dated entries
- The maintenance contract and the technician's visit records
- Inspection reports and the annual safety certificate
- The insurance certificate for passengers
- Records of repairs, parts replaced and drills carried out
Writing entries on the day, in ink, with a name and signature, is worth the small effort. A lift with a clean record is easier to insure, sell or defend after an incident.
Red Flags That Mean Stop Using the Lift
Take the lift out of service and call your agency if you see any of these:
- The car does not level, or drifts after stopping
- The doors close on people, stay open, or open between floors
- The lift moves with a door open
- A grinding noise, a burning smell or smoke
- The alarm or intercom does not work
- The lift stops between floors more than once
- Water has entered the pit or the car
Display a visible out-of-use notice and keep passengers away. Do not try to repair the lift yourself.
What to Do If Someone Is Trapped
Passengers should stay calm, press the alarm and use the intercom. They should not try to pry the doors open or climb out. Staff should call the maintenance agency and the building emergency contact, and only a trained technician or rescue team should release the car. An automatic rescue device, where fitted, brings the car to the nearest landing on its own when the power fails.
Choosing Who Inspects and Services Your Lift
A checklist is only as good as the person who carries it out. Ask any agency for its registration where your state requires one, the qualifications of the technicians, a sample of its service record, and its response time for breakdowns. A comprehensive annual maintenance contract covers parts and labour, while a non-comprehensive one covers labour only, and you should know which one you are signing. Our page on lift maintenance services explains how we approach servicing.
We recommend servicing a lift at least once a year, and lifts with heavy daily use, such as hospital and commercial lifts, usually need more frequent visits. Carrymax Lifts repairs, modernizes and maintains lifts for homes, hospitals, hotels, showrooms and factories, and our team can walk through this checklist with you during a free site survey.