What Is Category 1 Elevator Testing—and Why Is It Now Required Every Year in Pennsylvania?
If you’ve heard about Pennsylvania’s new elevator code requirements, you’ve probably also heard the term “Category 1 Testing” (often called CAT1 Testing).
For many building owners and property managers, it’s one of the most confusing—and important—parts of the Commonwealth’s adoption of ASME A17.1-2016.
The good news is that Category 1 testing isn’t something to fear. It’s actually been in the ASME A17.1 Code for decades and now Pennsylvania is catching up to the rest of the country.
It’s something to understand.
In fact, when properly managed, annual Category 1 testing can become one of the most valuable tools you have for improving elevator reliability, reducing risk, and planning future capital expenditures.
Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Category 1 Testing?
Category 1 testing is an annual code-required performance test of an elevator’s critical safety systems.
Unlike a routine maintenance visit or a periodic inspection, Category 1 testing verifies that specific safety-related components continue to function as required by the ASME A17.1 Safety Code.
Think of it this way:
Maintenance keeps your elevator operating.
Category 1 testing confirms that its critical safety systems are still performing as designed.
These tests are conducted under prescribed procedures and documented as part of the building’s compliance records. In Pennsylvania, this was previously a Category 3 (CAT-3) pressure test for hydraulic elevators (now a CAT-1). For electric elevators the Category 5 (CAT-5) test remains unchanged, but this introduces a new CAT-1 requirement.
Why Is Pennsylvania Now Requiring It Every Year?
For many years, Pennsylvania operated under one of the oldest elevator codes in the United States.
As the Commonwealth updates its regulations to adopt ASME A17.1-2016, one of the most significant operational changes is the requirement for annual Category 1 testing and reporting for regulated lifting devices. The goal is to align Pennsylvania with current industry safety practices and provide more consistent verification of safety-critical components throughout the life of the equipment.
This represents a shift from viewing compliance as a once-a-year inspection toward maintaining an ongoing, documented safety program.
Why Was This Change Made?
Elevators are mechanical systems that operate thousands—or even millions—of times each year.
Components wear.
Adjustments drift.
Electrical devices age.
Safety systems that worked perfectly five years ago may no longer perform exactly as intended today.
Annual Category 1 testing helps identify these issues before they contribute to:
- Unexpected shutdowns
- Safety concerns
- Costly emergency repairs
- Extended downtime
Rather than waiting for a failure, the Code now requires routine verification of many active safety functions.
What Does Category 1 Testing Include?
The exact scope depends on the type of lifting device and its configuration.
For many passenger elevators, Category 1 testing may include verification of systems such as:
- Pressure testing
- Governor
- Safety
- Brake performance
- Door protective devices
- Door locking systems
- Safety circuits
- Firefighters’ Emergency Operation
- Emergency communication systems
- Electrical protective devices
The purpose is not simply to see whether the elevator runs.
The purpose is to verify that the systems responsible for protecting passengers continue to operate correctly.
Is Category 1 Testing the Same as an Annual Inspection?
No.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions.
A periodic inspection evaluates the overall condition and code compliance of the equipment and is performed at intervals that do not exceed 6-months.
Category 1 testing is a performance test of specific safety systems.
Both are important.
One does not replace the other.
Think of it like your automobile.
An annual safety inspection checks that the vehicle complies with applicable requirements.
Category 1 testing is more like performing specific performance checks on the vehicle’s critical safety systems to ensure they function properly under prescribed conditions.
Which Equipment Is Affected?
Another common misunderstanding is that Category 1 testing only applies to passenger elevators.
Pennsylvania regulates many different types of lifting devices.
Depending on your building, annual Category 1 testing requirements may apply to:
- Passenger elevators
- Freight elevators
- Limited-use/limited-application (LULA) elevators
- Dumbwaiters
- Platform lifts
- Other regulated conveyances
If you manage multiple buildings, it’s worth developing an inventory of every regulated lifting device in your portfolio.
Who Is Responsible?
Your elevator contractor will typically perform the testing.
A qualified inspector will witness or verify testing as required by Pennsylvania’s regulations.
But here’s the important point:
The building owner is ultimately responsible for ensuring the required testing is completed and properly documented.
Many owners assume their maintenance company automatically handles everything.
Never assume.
Ask.
What Documentation Should Owners Keep?
Every building should maintain organized records of:
- Category 1 test reports
- Annual inspection reports
- Category 5 test reports
- Maintenance records
- Corrective action documentation
- Maintenance Control Program (MCP)
Good documentation demonstrates compliance, supports insurance claims, assists with future budgeting, and can become invaluable if questions arise after an incident.
Why This Is Actually Good News for Building Owners
Many people view Category 1 testing as “one more requirement.”
I see it differently.
Annual testing creates an opportunity to track your elevator’s health over time.
That isn’t just compliance.
That’s proactive asset management.
Instead of reacting to unexpected failures, owners can begin planning repairs and budgeting years in advance.
Questions Every Building Owner Should Ask
As Pennsylvania’s new requirements take effect, ask your maintenance provider:
- Is every lifting device in my building scheduled for annual Category 1 testing?
- Who is responsible for scheduling the test?
- Is the testing included in my maintenance agreement?
- Will I receive copies of all test reports?
- What deficiencies have been identified during previous tests?
- Are recurring issues beginning to develop?
- How should these findings influence our capital planning?
If those questions can’t be answered easily, it’s time to have a conversation.
How an Independent Elevator Consultant Can Help
An independent elevator consultant can help owners:
- Review Category 1 test reports
- Verify testing requirements
- Interpret deficiencies in plain language
- Identify recurring trends
- Evaluate repair recommendations
- Develop long-term capital plans
- Audit compliance documentation
The goal isn’t simply to complete another annual test.
It’s to use the information from that test to make smarter ownership decisions.
The Bottom Line
Category 1 testing represents one of the most significant changes resulting from Pennsylvania’s adoption of ASME A17.1-2016.
While it introduces new annual testing and documentation requirements, it also provides building owners with a valuable opportunity to better understand the condition of their equipment, improve long-term reliability, and reduce costly surprises.
The most successful owners won’t view Category 1 testing as another regulatory burden.
They’ll use it as one of the most effective tools for managing one of the most important assets in their building.
Need Help Preparing for Annual Category 1 Testing?
KDA Elevator Consultants helps building owners, property managers, healthcare facilities, schools, HOAs, and commercial real estate owners understand Pennsylvania’s new elevator code requirements through independent compliance reviews, testing oversight, maintenance audits, and long-term asset planning.
📞 484-995-3642
📧 john@kdaelevatorconsultants.com