What does ASME A17.1 cover?

Hoistway construction, clearances, pit and overhead space; Car and counterweight, guide rails, ropes and buffers; Safeties, governor, and the interlocks on hoistway doors; Machine room, controller and the disconnect serving it; The acceptance test regime the licensed mechanic and AHJ carry out.

What does a field inspection against ASME A17.1 look at?

Hoistway and pit conditions photographed: clearances, cleanliness and no foreign piping run through the shaft. Machine-room access, lighting and disconnect photographed, with the room kept to its dedicated use. Door interlocks and the pit stop observed operating, documented as observed rather than certified. The acceptance test left to the licensed mechanic and the AHJ; the field record notes the date witnessed, not a result RTI is not permitted to give. Any deficiency around the equipment photographed and handed to the licensed mechanic for correction before the test.

Which checklists verify work against ASME A17.1?

5 free checklists in the RTI library reference this family. Each is listed on this page with the photo evidence every item needs before it can be submitted.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME A17.1

ASME A17.1 is the safety code for elevators and escalators: it governs the hoistway, the car and counterweight, the safety devices and the tests the equipment has to pass before it carries anyone. The acceptance test is run by the licensed elevator mechanic and witnessed by the authority having jurisdiction; RTI never certifies an elevator. The field role is to observe and document the install and the conditions around it so the licensed test has a clean record to build on.

Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.

What it covers

Hoistway construction, clearances, pit and overhead space
Car and counterweight, guide rails, ropes and buffers
Safeties, governor, and the interlocks on hoistway doors
Machine room, controller and the disconnect serving it
The acceptance test regime the licensed mechanic and AHJ carry out

What the evidence looks like

Hoistway and pit conditions photographed: clearances, cleanliness and no foreign piping run through the shaft.
Machine-room access, lighting and disconnect photographed, with the room kept to its dedicated use.
Door interlocks and the pit stop observed operating, documented as observed rather than certified.
The acceptance test left to the licensed mechanic and the AHJ; the field record notes the date witnessed, not a result RTI is not permitted to give.
Any deficiency around the equipment photographed and handed to the licensed mechanic for correction before the test.

Checklists that verify work against ASME A17.1

5 free checklists, each with the photo every item needs before it can be submitted.

Elevator installation Rough-in· Elevator installationElevator installation rough-in inspection checklistHoistway rails, clearances, entrance framing and machine-room rough observed before the shaft is enclosed4 items8 photos Elevator installation Final· Elevator installationElevator installation final inspection checklistInstalled car, doors, leveling and reopening devices observed, and the acceptance test witnessed with the AHJ5 items10 photos Elevator installation Punch· Elevator installationElevator installation punch checklistCloseout callbacks for fixture, leveling and door-tuning items on the installed elevator3 items5 photos Escalator QuarterlyEscalator quarterly maintenance checklistComb plates, step and skirt gaps, handrails and the emergency stops observed on the quarterly escalator round8 items12 photos Escalator AnnualEscalator annual maintenance checklistPit, machine space and safety-device condition observed alongside the licensed elevator contractor's annual service5 items7 photos

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Common questions

What is ASME A17.1?: Elevator and escalator safety code: hoistway, car and counterweight, safeties and the acceptance test. It is published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. ASME A17.1 is the safety code for elevators and escalators: it governs the hoistway, the car and counterweight, the safety devices and the tests the equipment has to pass before it carries anyone. The acceptance test is run by the licensed elevator mechanic and witnessed by the authority having jurisdiction; RTI never certifies an elevator. The field role is to observe and document the install and the conditions around it so the licensed test has a clean record to build on.
What does ASME A17.1 cover?: Hoistway construction, clearances, pit and overhead space; Car and counterweight, guide rails, ropes and buffers; Safeties, governor, and the interlocks on hoistway doors; Machine room, controller and the disconnect serving it; The acceptance test regime the licensed mechanic and AHJ carry out.
What does a field inspection against ASME A17.1 look at?: Hoistway and pit conditions photographed: clearances, cleanliness and no foreign piping run through the shaft. Machine-room access, lighting and disconnect photographed, with the room kept to its dedicated use. Door interlocks and the pit stop observed operating, documented as observed rather than certified. The acceptance test left to the licensed mechanic and the AHJ; the field record notes the date witnessed, not a result RTI is not permitted to give. Any deficiency around the equipment photographed and handed to the licensed mechanic for correction before the test.
Which edition of ASME A17.1 applies to my project?: Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
Which checklists verify work against ASME A17.1?: 5 free checklists in the RTI library reference this family. Each is listed on this page with the photo evidence every item needs before it can be submitted.

A standard is only met if the evidence exists

RTI holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and the photos are attached, then chains the record so it can be proven untouched later.

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