Successfully bringing a new elevator into service comes down to a single milestone: passing the official acceptance testing. As specialists who guide building owners, developers, and contractors through this process at Kaiser Elevator, we know the scrutiny and precision required at every step. Acceptance testing—and the paperwork that supports it—is what determines whether your elevator receives its Certificate of Operation and can legally serve riders. Missing critical paperwork, overlooking a test, or failing to meet even a minor code requirement can delay occupancy and disrupt project schedules.
This guide breaks down the entire process, from initial documentation to field testing and certification, using industry standards and firsthand experience as elevator experts. We’ll demystify the paperwork, explain what inspectors are looking for during field tests, and share strategies to help you secure your Certificate of Operation quickly and efficiently.
Definition: What Is Elevator Acceptance Testing?
Elevator acceptance testing is a comprehensive validation process carried out on all newly installed or modernized elevator systems before they can be used by the public. This process verifies both the safety and performance of the elevator, ensuring full adherence to applicable codes (such as ASME A17.1) and local regulations. It is the point when a witnessing elevator inspector, unaffiliated with the installer, independently certifies code compliance and system readiness for everyday use.
The Two Pillars of Acceptance: Paperwork & Field Testing
1. The Paperwork: Building a Complete Documentation Package
Accurate, thorough documentation is a prerequisite for every elevator acceptance test. At Kaiser Elevator, our engineering team provides clients with a comprehensive documentation set, which includes:
- Final elevator design drawings with code references
- Test and inspection forms (such as ELV44 in NYC)
- Manufacturer startup checklists and signed commissioning documents
- Material certificates for load-bearing and safety-critical components
- Control programming and safety functionality records
- Emergency system verification reports
Every jurisdiction may have specific paperwork requirements, so leveraging Kaiser Elevator’s experience with local authorities streamlines submission and approval.
2. Field Testing: What Inspectors Look For
Field testing is a hands-on, stepwise evaluation performed before the elevator is released for general use. A licensed inspector—independent from the installation contractor—witnesses the entire process. Here’s what’s typically involved:
- Visual Inspections: Hardware, cab interiors, doors, lighting, and all emergency features are examined for compliance and physical condition.
- Operational Tests: Start, stop, acceleration, leveling at each floor (within 1/8 inch), door operation, and response to all control signals.
- Load Tests: The elevator is fully loaded to its rated capacity (often between 100 and 125%) and run through its full range of motion repeatedly, verifying performance under stress.
- Safety System Checks: Emergency brakes, fire service features (Phase 1 and 2), door interlocks, and communication systems are tested thoroughly.
- Energy Efficiency Functions: Occupancy-based lighting and ventilation controls are observed for proper activation and shutdown during vacancy.
The Players: Who Does What?
- Installation Agency: Typically the elevator contractor (like Kaiser Elevator), responsible for preparing the elevator, collecting documentation, and arranging pre-tests.
- Witnessing Agency: A third-party, certified and unaffiliated from the installation team. They validate test results.
- Inspector: A licensed professional who signs off on compliance and provides final certification statements to the municipal authority.
- Local Authority (AHJ): Issues the Certificate of Operation upon satisfactory review of both paperwork and testing results.
Step-by-Step: From Startup to Certification
- Complete Manufacturer Startup
Elevator systems are commissioned and all startup procedures (mechanical and electronic) are signed off.
Quality contractors like Kaiser Elevator run detailed pretests and correct issues before scheduling the formal inspection. - Prepare and Submit Required Paperwork
All design specs, commissioning records, and third-party forms are compiled and reviewed for completeness. - Schedule the Witnessing Agency
Coordination is key. Top agencies (and experienced project managers) like ours lock in inspection dates well ahead of substantial completion. - Conduct Field Test
Inspector follows a prepared checklist: visual walkthrough, operational cycles, functional and code-specific testing, safety feature validation, and live load tests. - Resolve Any Deficiencies
If the inspector finds deficiencies, corrections are made. Retesting may be required only for affected systems, but re-inspection can be costly and disruptive to project turnover. - File Results and Obtain Certificate of Operation
Once all paperwork is finalized and tests are passed, forms are submitted to the Department of Buildings (or relevant AHJ) for review and formal certification.
Special Considerations for Different Elevator Types
Kaiser Elevator prepares unique acceptance test protocols for specialized systems:
- Panoramic and Glass Cab Elevators: Added focus on glass integrity, sealing against elements, and visibility hazard checks.
- Hospital and Medical Elevators: Extra criteria for carrying medical equipment, stretcher accessibility, antimicrobial finishes, and integration with emergency power and controls.
- Car Stackers and Automated Parking Lifts: Rigorous testing of vehicle positioning algorithms, safety interlocks, and load management. Manual override processes are checked as part of the acceptance exam.
Common Roadblocks and How to Avoid Them
Based on years of acceptance test preparation, these are the most frequent issues that can delay certification:
- Door timing and partial closes (often remedied by fine-tuning operator settings).
- Leveling errors outside specification—Kaiser Elevator uses precision sensors and double-checks calibration.
- Non-compliant ADA communication systems (for example, missing hands-free or malfunctioning audio units).
- Brake performance under live load—thorough pre-tests minimize risk of surprise failures in front of the inspector.
- Occupancy or lighting controls that do not respond as required (sensor alignment is critical).
- Paperwork omissions, outdated forms, or incomplete field data entries. Our project managers maintain real-time digital documentation to prevent oversights.
Comparison: Why Early Coordination Changes Everything
Not all contractors approach acceptance prep with the same rigor. We’ve seen projects falter when:
- Documentation is collected piecemeal or late, resulting in back-and-forth after the field test.
- Inspectors discover avoidable punch-list items, postponing the Certificate of Operation.
- Key stakeholders (GC, owner’s rep, fire marshal) are not aligned on dates and expectations.
In contrast, Kaiser Elevator assigns a dedicated project manager who maintains a clear timeline, proactively manages all stakeholders, and coordinates every step. This approach is outlined further in our blog on repeatable elevator install playbooks for GCs, where consistency and early coordination means fewer late-stage surprises.
What Experts Recommend: Proven Steps to Streamline Acceptance
- Choose a specialist contractor with a strong first-time pass rate. Kaiser Elevator’s value-engineered, code-compliant packages are designed with acceptance in mind.
- Collect and review all documentation well before field testing. This allows for corrections, updates, and last-minute clarifications without schedule risk.
- Conduct a realistic pretest. Simulate the inspector’s checklist internally (we routinely run these dry runs with ownership and management present).
- Engage stakeholders early. Bring in fire marshals and AHJ representatives for projects with special requirements (high-rise, healthcare, or hospitality verticals).
- Keep communication open. A single point of contact—like the project lead at Kaiser Elevator—reduces the chance of procedural or scheduling errors.
FAQs: Elevator Acceptance Testing & Certification
What is the typical timeline from installation to Certificate of Operation?
A smooth process—from completion of manufacturer startup to final certification—typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. This can extend if deficiencies are found or if paperwork is incomplete.
Who can serve as the independent witnessing agency?
Regulations require that this agency is certified and unaffiliated with the installation team. In many major cities, approved lists are published by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
What paperwork is required before scheduling the field test?
You’ll need finalized drawings, commissioning records, signed forms like the ELV44 (where applicable), safety system certificates, and any documents required by local code amendments.
Are deficiencies common during acceptance?
They can be, especially if acceptance procedures were not rehearsed or documents were incomplete. Kaiser Elevator’s process minimizes risk by identifying and fixing issues before the formal inspection.
What happens once the Certificate of Operation is issued?
The elevator enters public service, but periodic maintenance and annual safety checks must begin immediately. Kaiser Elevator recommends monthly service as part of a comprehensive maintenance plan to ensure long-term reliability and code compliance.
Can issues with paperwork alone delay the certificate, even if the physical test is perfect?
Absolutely. Municipal authorities will not issue the Certificate of Operation if forms are missing, have errors, or do not reflect a deficiency-free field test. Both elements must be complete and accurate.
Beyond Testing: Start Strong, Operate for Decades
Securing a Certificate of Operation marks the start of your elevator’s lifecycle. Ongoing reliability, safety, and compliance rely on proactive maintenance, timely modernization, and expert partnership. Kaiser Elevator delivers precision servicing, modernization, and upgrades to keep your systems performing well beyond day one. For more detailed planning advice, see our post on how to improve elevator performance on day one.
Your Next Steps: Partner With a Proven Elevator Acceptance Expert
At Kaiser Elevator, we drive projects from design to Certificate of Operation by blending technical rigor with responsive client service. Whether your project involves a commercial elevator installation, modernization, or a specialized car stacker, our team ensures code compliance and field test readiness at every phase. Ready for a smoother path to certification or want a consult for your next build? Contact us for a straightforward project assessment. Experience firsthand why so many of the region’s top developers, general contractors, and property managers trust us to get their elevators into service—on schedule, without surprises, and always code-compliant.
