Elevators are among the most heavily regulated components in any multi-story building—and for good reason. They move hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people safely every day. Despite that, we regularly see elevator certificates fail inspections across residential towers, commercial properties, and HOAs.
At Confirmed Life Safety, we help property managers stay ahead of these costly and disruptive failures. Here’s a breakdown of the most common causes, the consequences of non-compliance, and how you can ensure your elevator certifications pass the first time, every time.
1. Lapsed Inspection Intervals
The most straightforward—and avoidable—reason certificates fail is due to expired inspections. In most jurisdictions, elevators must be inspected annually, and a lapsed certificate can lead to a red tag, public exposure, and potential shutdowns.
Our Recommendation: Use a centralized inspection calendar that flags upcoming expiration dates. Our platform tracks elevator inspection intervals and alerts you well in advance of any lapses.
2. Improper Documentation
We routinely see inspection reports that are incomplete, missing technician signatures, lack equipment serial numbers, or are formatted in a way that won’t be accepted by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Even if the equipment passes mechanically, incorrect paperwork can still result in a failed certification.
How We Help: Confirmed Life Safety standardizes vendor submissions and audits documentation quality before it becomes an issue during state review.
3. Code Violations or Deferred Maintenance
Code requirements evolve, and what passed five years ago may no longer meet today’s standards. Common mechanical failures include:
Non-functional emergency alarms or phones
Damaged cab interiors or lighting
Door obstructions or misalignment
Inoperable emergency stop switches
These issues often stem from deferred maintenance or relying on outdated service protocols.
Best Practice: Don’t wait until the annual inspection. Integrate quarterly internal elevator checks into your facility maintenance program and request pre-inspection tune-ups from your elevator vendor.
4. Unauthorized Modifications
Modifying elevator systems without the proper permits or code review—such as installing cameras, modifying finishes, or changing operating systems—can trigger automatic failures. Even well-intentioned upgrades may not meet the required safety standards.
What to Avoid: Never assume aesthetic or software changes are exempt from review. Always consult your service provider and local elevator authority before modifying equipment.
5. Non-Responsive Vendors
Another silent failure point is vendor unresponsiveness. If your vendor fails to upload results to the regulatory portal or neglects to schedule inspections on time, the property—not the vendor—bears the legal liability.
Our Solution: We work only with approved vendors and provide a verification layer to confirm inspection completion, documentation delivery, and jurisdictional submission.
Why This Matters
An expired or failed elevator certificate isn’t just an inconvenience—it can lead to:
Fines and citations
Tenant complaints or lease violations
Liability exposure in the event of an incident
Insurance and underwriting issues
More importantly, it undermines trust in the safety of your property.
Let’s Get It Right—Together
At Confirmed Life Safety, our platform and services ensure elevator inspections are timely, accurate, and compliant. From notification tracking to vendor oversight and document verification, we’re here to simplify compliance and prevent failures before they happen.
Need to audit your elevator certifications?
Contact our team today and get a proactive plan to maintain elevator compliance without the guesswork.