Pittsburgh Building Owners: What Pennsylvania’s Elevator Code Changes Mean for You
Pittsburgh is no stranger to keeping its people moving. From the historic inclines that carried passengers up and down the city’s hillsides to the bridges that connect its neighborhoods across three rivers, getting people where they need to go has always been part of Pittsburgh’s story.
That same legacy of keeping people moving carries into Pittsburgh’s buildings, where elevators and escalators play an essential role in moving people safely and reliably. That makes them critical infrastructure for offices, hospitals, universities, hotels, and other properties across the region. It also means regular testing and maintenance aren’t just essential, but required.
Now, Pennsylvania is changing the requirements for how that equipment is tested.
What Are the New Pennsylvania Elevator Testing Requirements?
Effective December 20, 2026, Pennsylvania state code will require annual CAT 1 testing for hydraulic elevators and escalators, rather than every three years. Traction elevators, which previously had CAT 1 bundled with their five-year CAT 5 test, also move to an annual testing requirement. For Pittsburgh-area building owners and facilities teams, that means changes to testing schedules, coordination, and budgets.
Existing periodic inspections aren’t going away, and CAT 5 testing remains on its five-year cycle.
Which Elevators Are Affected by the New Pennsylvania Requirements?
The updated code applies to covered hydraulic and traction elevators, as well as escalators. That means you need to understand what type of equipment you have, when CAT 1 testing is currently scheduled, and how the new annual requirement will affect your testing calendar.
Why Annual CAT 1 Testing Requires More Coordination
CAT 1 testing verifies that critical life-safety functions operate as intended—including fire-service operation, emergency power, and emergency communications. The elevator service provider must perform the test while a Pennsylvania-certified third-party inspector witnesses it, and depending on the building, fire alarm and emergency power personnel may also need to participate. That expanded scope means more coordination, more frequent testing, and potentially higher testing costs.
How Should Pittsburgh Building Owners Prepare for the New Requirements?
Start by reviewing your elevator records and service agreements. Confirm which units are covered, when annual CAT 1 testing will be due, what your current agreement includes, and who is responsible for coordinating the necessary parties.
ATIS has Pennsylvania-certified elevator inspection experts who can help you understand what the new requirements mean for your equipment, review existing records, and prepare for annual testing in 2027. As an independent third-party inspection provider, we’ll help you navigate the requirements with objective expertise.
Pittsburgh has a long history of keeping people moving. As Pennsylvania’s elevator testing requirements change, keeping equipment compliant helps preserve the city’s legacy of safe, reliable transit for years to come.