Elevator and lift safety inspections are required by law to ensure that lifting systems remain safe and reliable for users.
Each inspection has one main goal: to make sure that the elevator continues to meet the safety and performance standards defined by current regulations. These activities are carried out by authorized inspection bodies through detailed and accurate technical assessments.
For these inspections to be trustworthy, it’s essential that the measuring instruments used are also properly calibrated. Regular calibration guarantees accurate results and minimizes the risk of errors that could compromise the overall evaluation of the system.
That’s why, in the field of elevator quality control, the combination of high-performing measuring tools and qualified inspection professionals is what truly keeps safety and compliance standards at their highest level.
Although elevators and lifts are part of our everyday lives, behind their apparent simplicity lies a complex system of maintenance, inspections, and safety checks.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how elevator inspections are performed, why calibration plays such a key role, and how the experience of Sidelmed S.p.A. highlights the importance of certified instruments and reliable procedures in protecting people and systems every day.
Elevators and lifts differ widely depending on their intended use — some are designed for passengers, others for goods, and some for specific environments or building needs.
Among the most common types are:
- Passenger elevators
- Elevators for people with disabilities
- Freight elevators
- Construction hoists
- Facade elevators
- Hydraulic lifts
- Cable-operated lifts
Each type must comply with specific operational and safety standards — and this is where inspection and certification come into play, ensuring that every system works exactly as it should.
What Does an Elevator Inspection Involve?
An elevator inspection includes a series of technical activities aimed at verifying the condition of the system and certifying that it functions as intended, in full compliance with operational, safety, and health regulations.
These activities include pre-installation site inspections, checking systems that are already operating, and performing additional evaluations, such as environmental impact assessments.
How is an elevator inspection carried out?
Performing an inspection properly requires the use of various measuring instruments, and the selection of the right ones depends on the system being tested.
Some parts of the inspection are carried out visually, to assess the general condition of the elevator’s components.
However, for specific systems such as the power supply, measuring tools — like our SAMA Tools AC/DC clamp meters — are essential.
The goal is to compare the system’s operating parameters with the expected reference values to confirm that it is functioning safely and efficiently. That’s why it’s so important to always use high-quality and properly calibrated instruments.
A Complete Kit for Elevator and Lift Inspections
One of the most popular solutions by SAMA Tools is the Complete Kit for the Lifts Directive.
This kit fully meets the requirements of Directive 2014/33/EU and includes calibration reports that are traceable to primary standards.
Why is instrument calibration so important?
In addition to compliance with the UNI EN ISO 9001 standard, which in section 7.6 deals with the management of measuring instruments, the calibration of the instrument guarantees reliable results.
Therefore, the information collected during the inspection can be used to certify the proper operation of the lift or to identify any possible malfunction of it and take the corresponding measures.
Using uncalibrated instruments can lead to inaccurate results, which might allow a faulty system to remain in service — creating potential safety risks and costly consequences, such as:
- Accidents or injuries
- Damage to company reputation
- Higher maintenance and repair costs
- Legal and financial repercussions
These may seem like extreme consequences, but unfortunately, they can happen.
Elevator and Lift Inspections at Sidelmed S.P.A.
A positive example in this sector is Sidelmed S.p.A., one of our long-standing clients.
As stated on their website, Sidelmed is a company that operates mainly in the certification of products and systems.
In the elevator and lift sector, they hold three important authorizations issued by Italian ministries:
- Elevator and lift inspections authorized by the Ministry of Economic Development
- Grounding system inspections authorized by the Ministry of Economic Development
- Work-related equipment inspections authorized by the Ministry of Labor
These authorizations, combined with more than 20 years of experience and hundreds of technical experts, make Sidelmed S.p.A. the leading inspection and certification body in Italy, serving approximately 27,000 clients in both public and private sectors.
Being highly experienced in their field, Sidelmed makes sure that every inspection is carried out with high-quality measuring instruments to guarantee accurate and reliable results.
Among the instruments they regularly use are:
- AC/DC clamp meters
- Insulation testers
- Tachometers
- Pressure gauges
This is only a partial list, but it gives an idea of the variety of instruments required to perform elevator safety inspections effectively.
What really matters, however, is the accuracy and reliability of the information and certifications provided.
How Sidelmed S.p.A. Ensures Maximum Reliability
When it comes to reliability, elevator inspection and instrument calibration go hand in hand. To ensure their instruments are suitable for inspection activities, Sidelmed S.P.A. relies on SAMA Tools for the required calibrations and periodic reviews.
Since 2015, we have supported Sidelmed in managing and verifying their instruments, building a strong, long-term collaboration founded on professionalism and trust — the same approach we apply to all our partners.
We offer a comprehensive service that can be provided on-site or by sending the equipment directly to us.
The service includes laboratory test reports and/or ACCREDIA calibration certificates for SAMA Tools instruments or equipment from other brands, already owned by our clients.
You can get more information about this service by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Periodic Elevator and Lift Inspections
We’ve already seen how crucial regular inspections are to maintain safety and compliance standards.
Here’s a quick summary of the most frequently asked questions about obligations, timing, and responsibilities related to elevator and lift inspections.
Scroll right to see the complete answers in the table below:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are periodic elevator inspections? | Legally required inspections to make sure that the system continues to meet safety standards. |
| How often must they be carried out? | Every two years, under the responsibility of the building owner or administrator |
| Who can perform them? | Only inspection bodies authorized by MIMIT, ASL, or ARPA — not maintenance companies. |
| Difference between maintenance and inspection | Maintenance is routine and semiannual; inspection is biennial and performed by a third party. |
| What happens if the elevator fails the inspection? | A non-compliance report is issued, and the elevator may be shut down until the issues are resolved. A follow-up inspection is then required. |
| Reference regulations | D.P.R. 162/1999, D.P.R. 214/2010, D.Lgs. 106/2017, Directive 2014/33/EU |
| When is an extraordinary inspection required? | After a failed inspection, structural modifications, replacement of essential components, or serious incidents. |
| Who pays for the inspection? | The owner of the system; in condominiums, costs are shared based on ownership shares. |
| Main goal | Ensuring user safety and regulatory compliance of the system. |
Final thoughts
In the field of elevator and lift safety, the accuracy of measuring instruments determines the quality of every evaluation.
That’s why at S.A.M.A. Italia, we work alongside companies like Sidelmed S.p.A. every day, providing certified measuring instruments, accurate calibration services, and tailored quality control solutions.
Partnering with us means having access to technical expertise, prompt support, and equipment that meets every regulatory standard.
If you’re responsible for elevator and lift inspections or maintenance, contact us — our technical team will help you choose the right instruments and ensure they’re perfectly calibrated.
📞 0584 392342 – 0584 392453
💻 Or fill in our online contact form to receive personalized assistance.
