Pennsylvania's 2026 Elevator Code Change: What Property Owners Need to Know
Pennsylvania's elevator code change for 2026 is the most significant update to elevator safety standards in more than 20 years. If you own or manage a commercial building with elevators, escalators, or moving walks in Pennsylvania, here's what you need to know—and what you should start planning for now.
At a glance: Pennsylvania has adopted ASME A17.1-2016, effective December 20, 2026. For most buildings, this means a shift to annual Category 1 (CAT1) testing — with 2027 expected to be the first full year under the new schedule.
WHAT IS CHANGING UNDER PENNSYLVANIA'S 2026 ELEVATOR REGULATION?
Pennsylvania published Regulation #12-123 on June 20, 2026, adopting ASME A17.1-2016 for newly permitted and altered equipment. The regulation replaces the ASME A17.1-2000 with the 2002 addenda. For owners of existing equipment, the most significant change is the move to annual Category 1 testing.
Annual CAT1 testing is now required. Hydraulic elevators and escalators move from a three-year CAT1 cycle to an annual one. Traction elevators, which previously had CAT1 bundled with their five-year CAT5 test, also move to an annual requirement.
CAT1 testing may require additional coordination. Category 1 testing addresses life-safety functions involving systems such as fire service operation, fire alarm activation, and emergency power, where applicable. Building owners may need to coordinate the elevator contractor, inspector, fire alarm provider, and emergency power provider.
WHAT PENNSYLVANIA ELEVATOR REQUIREMENTS ARE STAYING THE SAME?
Several things stay exactly as they are:
Your two annual routine inspections for electric elevators, hydraulic elevators, and escalators continue unchanged.
Category 5 (CAT5) testing remains on a five-year cycle.
Existing elevators are generally not required to be modernized or upgraded. Pennsylvania has not adopted A17.3 (the existing installations code), so the 2026 regulation is not a broad modernization mandate. If your elevator is not being altered or replaced, you are not expected to upgrade it to 2016 code compliance. The new annual CAT1 requirement still applies to existing equipment.
HYDRAULIC VS. TRACTION ELEVATORS: DOES IT MATTER?
Yes. The annual CAT1 test works differently depending on your equipment type:
Hydraulic elevators and escalators: Moving from a three-year to an annual CAT1 cycle.
Traction elevators: Previously, traction elevator CAT1 testing was bundled with the five-year CAT5 requirement—meaning it occurred every five years. Under the new regulation, traction elevators also require annual CAT1 testing, and that annual test is a no-load test, not a full-load test. Full-load testing continues as part of the five-year CAT5 requirement.
Dumbwaiters, wheelchair lifts, and specialty equipment: Requirements depend on the specific equipment and what has historically applied. Testing and inspection requirements vary by equipment type. Confirm the applicable schedule with a certified Pennsylvania elevator inspector.
For a full overview of CAT1, CAT3, and CAT5 testing requirements, see our elevator inspection guide.
WHO NEEDS TO BE PRESENT FOR CAT1 TESTING?
CAT1 testing requires two parties to be there at the same time:
Your elevator service provider performs the test.
A certified third-party inspector witnesses it.
Pennsylvania requires independent third-party witnessing to eliminate conflicts of interest; the person witnessing the test cannot be the same company performing it or servicing the equipment. Confirm with your inspection provider which parties must be involved based on your equipment and service arrangement.
Learn more about how test witnessing and independent oversight work: What Are the Required Elevator Inspections?
Depending on your building systems, you may also need to coordinate with your fire alarm company and the qualified person responsible for generator or emergency power testing. Getting everyone scheduled in the same window takes planning. Begin coordinating these parties well before your first annual CAT1 test is due.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW?
Review your maintenance contract. Determine whether annual CAT1 testing, contractor participation, inspector witnessing, and related coordination are included in your current agreement, or whether they will result in additional charges. Many contracts written under the old three-year or five-year cycle do not account for annual CAT1, so confirm before you receive a surprise invoice in 2027.
Ask about 2027 proposals early. If you are evaluating a new service agreement or receiving a renewal proposal, make sure it explicitly accounts for the annual CAT1 requirement. Proposals that do not reflect the new testing cadence may understate the true cost of compliance.
Inventory your building systems. If your elevators have fire alarm recall or are connected to emergency power systems, your CAT1 test will likely require coordination with your fire alarm company and the qualified person responsible for generator support. Identifying these parties now (and confirming their availability) avoids scheduling delays when the test date arrives.
Budget for more testing activity. Annual CAT1 testing typically requires more technician time, more inspector witnessing hours, and potentially additional involvement from fire alarm and emergency power vendors. Buildings that previously ran CAT1 on a three-year or five-year cycle should expect a meaningful increase in testing-related costs starting in 2027.
Prepare for 2027 now. The regulation takes effect December 20, 2026, with 2027 expected to be the first full implementation year. Ask your elevator contractor and inspection provider when each unit's first annual CAT1 test will be due and begin coordinating the necessary parties well in advance. Inspector availability in Pennsylvania will tighten as demand increases. Owners who plan early will have the most scheduling flexibility.
THE BOTTOM LINE
December 20, 2026, is closer than it looks. Property owners should begin reviewing their inspection records, service agreements, equipment schedules, and testing-provider arrangements now. Owners who start that process now will have a smoother 2027. The ones who wait until the deadline is imminent will be competing for inspector availability.
If you want to understand what the updated regulation means for your buildings—which equipment is affected, what your current records show, and what needs to happen next—our Pennsylvania team is available and ready to help.
Contact us and get answers to common questions here.
Pennsylvania’s new elevator requirements continue to evolve as the December 20, 2026 effective date approaches. As more information becomes available, we will update this article and keep our Pennsylvania elevator inspections page current.
ABOUT ATIS ELEVATOR INSPECTIONS
ATIS provides certified third-party elevator inspection and witnessing services across Pennsylvania. We do not perform elevator maintenance, repairs, or modernization—only independent inspection and witnessing. That independence matters: when your inspector has no relationship with your service provider and no stake in your equipment’s condition, you get an objective assessment every time.
Have questions about your equipment or upcoming testing schedule? Visit our Pennsylvania elevator inspection page for answers about annual testing, affected equipment, and scheduling—or contact ATIS to discuss your buildings.