Quick answer
Lift maintenance under an AMC is commonly done monthly. A typical visit covers the machine room (motor, brake, controller), the car (alarm, intercom, emergency light, levelling), the doors (operator, door safety sensors, locks), and the shaft and pit (cleanliness, buffers, limit switches). Ropes, governor and safety gear are inspected at longer intervals. Periodic statutory inspection requirements vary by state.
Machine room (or controller area for MRL lifts)
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Check room condition | Monthly | Clean, dry, ventilated, locked; no stored material. |
| Inspect traction machine and motor | Monthly | Noise, vibration, oil leaks, temperature. |
| Check brake operation | Monthly | Smooth engagement and release; wear as per manual. |
| Inspect controller and wiring | Monthly | Loose terminals, burnt marks, error logs. |
| Check gearbox oil level (geared lifts) | Monthly | Top up or change as per manufacturer's interval. |
| Test main switch and isolation | Monthly | Labelled and working. |
Lift car
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Test alarm bell and intercom | Monthly | Must reach the security cabin or a manned point. |
| Test emergency light and ARD (if fitted) | Monthly | Automatic rescue device should bring the car to a floor on power failure. |
| Check levelling at each floor | Monthly | A step at the landing is a trip hazard. |
| Check car buttons, display and fan | Monthly | Indicators and floor display working. |
| Inspect car top (from inspection mode) | Monthly | Guide shoes or rollers, car top stop switch, cleanliness. |
| Check load and overload device | Quarterly | Overload warning functions as designed. |
Doors
Doors cause a large share of lift complaints. Give them extra time on every visit.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Test door operator | Monthly | Smooth opening and closing, no banging. |
| Test door safety sensor / light curtain | Monthly | Doors must reopen when the beam is blocked. |
| Check landing door locks at every floor | Monthly | Doors must not open without the car present. |
| Clean door sills and tracks | Monthly | Debris in the sill is a common cause of door faults. |
| Check door gibs, hangers and rollers | Quarterly | Replace worn parts. |
Shaft and pit
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clean pit, check for water | Monthly | Water in the pit needs prompt action and a complaint to the building. |
| Check pit stop switch and pit light | Monthly | Working and accessible. |
| Inspect buffers | Quarterly | Condition, oil level for oil buffers. |
| Check limit and final limit switches | Quarterly | Operate as designed. |
| Inspect guide rails and brackets | Half-yearly | Lubrication, alignment, loose brackets. |
Longer-interval checks
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wire ropes | Quarterly to half-yearly | Wear, broken wires, tension balance. Replace as per manufacturer's discard criteria. |
| Overspeed governor | Half-yearly to yearly | Function test as per manual. |
| Safety gear | Yearly | Tested as per manufacturer's procedure. |
| Full load test | As per applicable standards | Often linked to periodic inspection. |
Statutory inspection and records
In many states, lifts need registration and periodic inspection by the lift inspectorate or an authorised body, and a valid licence or certificate displayed in the car. Requirements, intervals and forms vary by state, so check the rules that apply to each site.
Keep a maintenance register for each lift: date of visit, technician, work done, parts replaced and any issues reported to the building. Housing societies and facility managers often ask for these records at renewal or during audits.
Rescue readiness
- Confirm the building has the emergency contact number displayed in the car.
- Check that manual rescue tools and instructions are available in the machine room.
- Brief building security on what to do — and what not to do — if someone is trapped.
Contract notes for lift AMCs
Societies often compare comprehensive and non-comprehensive lift contracts. Spell out which parts are excluded — ropes and major overhauls are common items — as covered in comprehensive vs non-comprehensive AMC.
Lift service businesses can see how contracts and complaints are handled on our elevator service management software page. More on AMC software and our AMC management software.
How AMCFlow helps
- Add each lift as a separate unit under the society or building, with its AMC start and end dates.
- The society's office bearers can log in to the customer portal with WhatsApp OTP and raise a complaint.
- Each complaint gets a number and is assigned to a technician, who gets a WhatsApp job alert with customer, mobile, address, product, problem and complaint number.
- Expiry dashboard shows lift contracts nearing expiry, giving time for committee approval.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a lift be maintained?
Lift maintenance under an AMC is commonly done monthly, with some checks such as ropes, governor and safety gear done quarterly, half-yearly or yearly as per the manufacturer.
What is checked in lift maintenance?
The machine room, brake and controller, car alarm and intercom, emergency light, levelling, door operator and safety sensors, landing door locks, and the shaft and pit.
Is a lift inspection mandatory in India?
Many states require lift registration and periodic inspection by the lift inspectorate or an authorised body. Requirements vary by state, so check the rules that apply to each site.
Who should do lift maintenance?
Only trained, competent technicians following the manufacturer's manual and safety procedures. Building staff should not attempt repairs.
What records should a lift AMC provider keep?
A maintenance register for each lift with visit date, technician, work done, parts replaced and issues reported to the building.