A maintenance checklist is not bureaucracy — it is the technical specification of what was inspected, tested, and verified during a service visit. Done well, it protects the technician, the company, the building owner, and ultimately the elevator users.
This guide covers what a monthly elevator maintenance checklist must include, how to structure it for practical field use, and how to ensure it meets the documentation requirements of TS EN 13015.
Why the Checklist Matters
Legal Protection
If an accident occurs and the maintenance logbook is missing or incomplete, the maintenance company's liability increases significantly. A complete, dated, signed checklist showing that all safety systems were verified provides the foundation for a defensible position.
Consistency Across Technicians
Without a structured checklist, each technician performs maintenance according to their training and habits — which may vary. A standardized checklist ensures every visit covers the same ground regardless of who performs it.
Audit Readiness
Municipal inspectors and building managers may request maintenance records at any time. A well-maintained digital checklist archive means records are available in seconds, not after a search through paper files.
Monthly Elevator Maintenance Checklist — Core Elements
1. Pre-Inspection Documentation
Before starting the inspection:
- [ ] Elevator identification (building name, elevator number, serial number)
- [ ] Date and time of visit
- [ ] Technician name and signature
- [ ] Last maintenance date (cross-reference)
- [ ] Any open issues from previous visit
2. Machine Room / Drive Unit
- [ ] Motor: visual inspection for overheating, unusual noise, vibration
- [ ] Brake: adjustment, wear inspection, release test
- [ ] Drive sheave: groove condition, rope centering
- [ ] Gearbox / gearless drive: oil level (geared), bearing condition
- [ ] Control panel: visual inspection for loose connections, component condition
- [ ] Safety circuit: continuity check
- [ ] Ventilation: adequate airflow in machine room
3. Overspeed Governor and Safety Gear
- [ ] Overspeed governor: rope tension, pulley condition
- [ ] Governor trip test (at reduced speed or manual trigger per manufacturer protocol)
- [ ] Safety gear: clean, lubricated, free movement
- [ ] Governor rope: tension, wear, strand condition
4. Suspension Ropes / Belts
- [ ] Visual inspection along accessible rope length
- [ ] Count and document any broken wires per rope (track against replacement threshold)
- [ ] Lubrication condition
- [ ] Tension equalization (where applicable)
5. Guide Rails and Rollers
- [ ] Rail cleanliness and lubrication
- [ ] Rail bracket and fastener tightness
- [ ] Roller guide shoe condition (if applicable)
- [ ] Slide shoe wear (if applicable)
6. Doors — Landing and Cabin
- [ ] Door opening and closing time measurement (record in seconds)
- [ ] Door reversal device: test with door obstruction
- [ ] Door interlock: each landing door — verify mechanical lock engagement
- [ ] Cabin door coupling: engagement and disengagement
- [ ] Door drive: belt or motor condition
- [ ] Door sill and threshold: clear of obstruction
7. Cabin Interior
- [ ] Emergency lighting: functional
- [ ] Emergency alarm: audible and connected
- [ ] Ventilation: operational
- [ ] Cabin floor level with landing at each floor (leveling accuracy)
- [ ] Emergency phone or communication device: functional
- [ ] Certificate display: current periodic inspection certificate visible
8. Pit
- [ ] Pit ladder: secure and accessible
- [ ] Pit lighting: functional
- [ ] Pit stop switch: operational
- [ ] Buffer: intact, no deformation
- [ ] Pit floor: free of water or debris
- [ ] Compensation rope (if fitted): condition
9. Lubrication
- [ ] Guide rails: lubricated to specification
- [ ] Rope sheaves: lubricated
- [ ] Drive components: per manufacturer specification
- [ ] Door mechanisms: appropriate lubricant applied
10. Post-Inspection
- [ ] Full operational test run: up, down, all floors
- [ ] Emergency stop test: from car operating panel
- [ ] Summary of findings (normal / observations / action required)
- [ ] Items requiring follow-up action — listed with priority
- [ ] Customer representative signature (where present)
- [ ] Technician signature
Customizing for Elevator Type
A standard residential passenger elevator checklist is the baseline. Adjust for:
Freight elevators: Add load test protocol, door sill condition for heavy traffic, buffer condition under rated load.
Hydraulic elevators: Add hydraulic fluid level and condition, cylinder and piston seal inspection, pump unit noise check.
MRL (Machine Room Less) elevators: Machine room checks replaced by control unit in landing — adjust location of electrical inspection items.
High-rise elevators: Rope inspection length is greater; compensation rope condition more critical; buffer clearances may differ.
Digital Checklist Best Practices
Use conditional logic where possible. If "Governor trip test" is marked "fail," the system should prompt for a fault report. Blind checklists produce compliance theatre; active checklists surface real problems.
Capture photos at key points. A photograph of a worn rope, a loose fastener, or a missing component is more compelling evidence than a written note — for customer communication and for legal protection.
Record the exact completion time, not just the date. Time stamps matter in SLA disputes and accident investigations.
Get customer confirmation. A building representative signature — even a digital tap on a tablet — documents that the service was performed and acknowledged.
LiftGrid Checklist Module
LiftGrid allows you to configure maintenance checklists per elevator type. Technicians complete the checklist on the Android app, attach photos, and collect customer signatures — offline if needed, with automatic sync.
Completed checklists are stored with timestamps and are immediately available from the building's digital card for inspection readiness.
Turkey Elevator Maintenance Regulations Guide →