Pennsylvania’s New Elevator Code Is Here: What Every Building Owner Needs to Know About Annual Category 1 Testing
For years, many Pennsylvania building owners have operated under one of the oldest elevator safety codes in the United States.
That is changing.
Pennsylvania’s adoption of the newer ASME A17.1 standards represents the most significant change to elevator inspection and testing requirements in decades. While there are numerous technical updates throughout the code, one change stands above the rest in terms of its impact on building owners:
Annual Category 1 (CAT1) Testing and Reporting
If you own or manage elevators or other lifting devices in Pennsylvania, this is the requirement you need to understand.
More importantly, it’s one you need to plan for now.
Why This Is Such a Significant Change
Historically, many building owners thought about elevator compliance in simple terms:
“The annual inspection is scheduled. We’re covered.”
Under Pennsylvania’s updated requirements, that mindset is no longer enough.
In addition to routine inspections, annual Category 1 testing and documentation become a much more prominent part of demonstrating compliance. This testing is intended to verify that critical safety systems continue to function as designed—not just that the elevator appears to operate normally.
For many owners, this will mean:
- More planning
- More coordination
- More documentation
- Greater attention to compliance throughout the year
What Is Category 1 Testing?
Think of Category 1 testing as the annual “health check” for your elevator’s safety systems.
Unlike a standard ride inspection, Category 1 testing evaluates the operation of safety-critical components under prescribed test procedures.
Depending on the type of equipment, testing may include items such as:
- Brake operation
- Door protective devices
- Door locking systems
- Governors (where applicable)
- Safety circuits
- Firefighters’ Emergency Operation
- Emergency communication systems
- Electrical protective devices
- Pressure testing of hydraulic system
The goal is to verify that these systems continue to operate as intended—not just during normal passenger use, but when they’re needed most.
It Doesn’t Just Affect Passenger Elevators
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the new requirements is that they apply only to passenger elevators.
In reality, Pennsylvania regulates a broad range of lifting devices under the Uniform Construction Code, including equipment beyond traditional passenger elevators. Depending on the type of equipment in your building, annual testing and documentation requirements may also apply. Owners should review their equipment inventory and confirm applicable testing requirements with qualified professionals.
Many owners don’t realize how many regulated lifting devices they actually have until they begin reviewing their compliance obligations.
Why Documentation Is Becoming More Important
The test itself is only part of the process.
Documentation matters.
Building owners should maintain organized records of:
- Annual inspections
- Category 1 testing
- Category 5 testing (where required)
- Maintenance records
- Corrective actions
- Violation reports
- Maintenance Control Program (MCP) documentation
If an inspector, insurance carrier, or attorney ever asks what was tested—and when—you should be able to answer with confidence.
Good documentation isn’t just good practice.
It’s part of good risk management.
What Owners Should Do Right Now
Don’t wait until your next inspection notice arrives.
Start preparing today.
1. Create an Inventory
Identify every regulated lifting device in your building or portfolio.
Many owners are surprised to discover they have more regulated equipment than they realized.
2. Verify Your Testing Schedule
Determine:
- Which devices require annual Category 1 testing.
- Which require Category 5 testing.
- When each test is due.
Managing these dates proactively helps avoid scheduling conflicts and last-minute surprises.
3. Review Your Maintenance Contract
Ask your maintenance provider:
- Is Category 1 testing included?
- Is test coordination included?
- Is reporting included?
- Are there additional charges?
- Who is responsible for scheduling?
- Who maintains the records?
Never assume these responsibilities are automatically included.
4. Organize Your Documentation
Create a compliance file for every device.
Keep:
- Inspection reports
- Test reports
- Maintenance records
- Repair history
- Code violation correspondence
When everything is organized, inspections become much easier to manage.
5. Develop a Long-Term Compliance Strategy
Compliance should not be treated as a once-a-year event.
Successful owners develop annual compliance calendars that include:
- Inspection due dates
- Category 1 testing
- Category 5 testing
- Maintenance reviews
- Capital planning
- Equipment assessments
This proactive approach reduces risk and improves budgeting.
This Is Also an Opportunity
Many owners view the new code simply as another regulatory requirement.
I see it differently.
Annual Category 1 testing gives owners an opportunity to better understand the condition of their equipment.
Questions worth asking include:
- Are we seeing recurring deficiencies?
- Are repairs increasing each year?
- Is modernization approaching?
- Is our maintenance program effective?
- Are we investing strategically—or simply reacting to failures?
Compliance can become one of your best management tools.
How an Independent Elevator Consultant Can Help
Navigating a major code transition can be challenging, especially for organizations with multiple buildings or a variety of lifting devices.
An independent elevator consultant can help:
- Identify which devices are subject to testing
- Review compliance responsibilities
- Audit maintenance documentation
- Coordinate long-term compliance planning
- Evaluate recurring deficiencies
- Develop capital plans based on inspection findings
- Represent the owner’s interests during inspections and testing
The goal isn’t simply to pass an inspection.
It’s to build a compliance program that supports safer, more reliable, and more cost-effective elevator ownership.
The Bottom Line
Pennsylvania’s updated elevator code represents one of the most significant regulatory changes in decades. It needed to happen. Pennsylvania is just catching up to the rest of the country.
While there are many technical revisions, the expanded emphasis on annual Category 1 testing and reporting is likely to have the greatest day-to-day impact on building owners.
Those who prepare now will experience a much smoother transition than those who wait until an inspection or testing deadline arrives.
The best compliance strategy isn’t reactive.
It’s planned.
Need Help Preparing for Pennsylvania’s New Elevator Code Requirements?
KDA Elevator Consultants helps building owners, property managers, healthcare facilities, schools, HOAs, and commercial real estate owners navigate Pennsylvania’s changing elevator regulations through independent inspections, testing oversight, compliance audits, and long-term planning.
📞 484-995-3642
📧 john@kdaelevatorconsultants.com