of FAIDsf


(Fire Alarm Initiating Devices) which affect an


elevator must be witnessed by a licensed elevator inspector. Knowing and understanding these tests helps managers, board members and homeowners become better educated on the equipment. This article will elaborate on testing requirements and their frequency.


Exercising fireman’s recall is one of an elevator’s required monthly tests.


Monthly Tests


• Checking the elevator’s emergency phone and exercising the fireman’s recall phase I & II are required each month. If an elevator contract stipulates quarterly or “as needed, periodic, or systematic” visits, the building owner must complete these tasks. Checking the elevator phone consists of pushingf


the call button or, on older


elevators, using the phone handset, to verify two-way communication. To exercise fireman’s recall phase I & phase II, an elevator maintenance company can train representatives of thef its functionality.


building on the proper way to test


Testing must be documented in the log chart in the elevator’s machine room. To simplify their lives, building owners and/or community associations enter into monthly elevator maintenance agreements so the elevator company will complete and document these tasks.


Annual Tests


• Category 1y Test – A category 1 (CAT1) test is performed annually to check thek


ensure they can stop the car in the event of anf


safeties on traction elevators and overspeed


situation. On hydraulic elevators, the test can also be referred to as a pressure relief testf


(PRT). It tests the


valve, piping, seals, packing and several other items related to the elevator’s hydraulic system. For a majority of elevators, the CAT 1 is part of the elevator maintenance program and performed by the elevator mechanic. CAT 1 testing in many municipalities needs to be witnessed by a licensed 3rd party which is referred to as the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The city of Chicago does not require a third-party witness.


10 | COMMON INTEREST®


• Annual Inspections – Though not technically a test, the elevator’s annual inspection is required to renew its certificate of operation.f the safety of af


particular component of thef


While the CAT1 test ensures elevator’s


operating system, the annual inspection is more all- encompassing. It includes theinspection of the emergency lighting, emergency phone, the top of the elevator’s car, stop switches, the hoistway and pit among other items. The inspection is done between the AHJ and the building directly; the elevator company may ormay not be present when it occurs.


Five-Year Tests


• Category 5y Test - A Category 5 (CAT5) is performed on traction elevators and hydraulic elevators which have safeties or certain safety devices (such as a Life Jacket). Since only 5% of hydraulicf


examines the brakes and multiple other processes. • FAID Test – As of 2021,f


cars have them, this test is


primarily for traction cars. The test involves putting the full rated load on the elevator and making sure the safeties stop it in the event of overf


devices which put the elevator into recall must be witnessed by a licensed elevator inspector once every five years. Elevators which do not have these devices connected, as well as elevators located within the city of Chicago, are exempt from this test.


Typically, there are fire recall devices at each landing and in the machine room, but they can also be in the elevator pit and at the top of thef


are not required to be tested during a FAID test. Hydraulic elevators are required to have a successful FAID test completed by 12/31/23 and traction elevators are required to have their FAID during the next CAT 5 test after 1/1/24. At the time of thisf


writing, there is reason to believe that there will be a one-year extension granted by the state. Witnessing The Tests


Several municipalities have contracts with elevator inspection firms and require they be used for all witnessing. Towns without these agreements are referred to as “open territory” and may hire any licensed elevator inspection company.


For a full list of municipality agreements,y go to


https://sfm.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/sfm/ sfmdocuments/documents/reports/elevator-safety/ municipalityagreement-list.pdf or scan the QR code.


Third party inspection firms per municipality. If a town is not listed, it is considered “open territory.”


• Winter 2023 • A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter hoistway. Heat detectors/shunt trips speeding. The test also testing any fire alarm initiating


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60