Pennsylvania · Elevators

The elevator code and inspection rules in force in Pennsylvania now.

34 Pa. Code Ch. 405 (UCC): ASME A17.1-2000 incl. A17.1a-2002 addenda; ASME A18.1-1999 incl. A18.1a-2001; no ASME A17.3 adoption found. Enforced by L&I Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety has sole jurisdiction to approve construction and use of elevators and lifting devices; L&I certifies third-party elevator inspection agencies. Verified on the primary source, re-checked weekly.

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Elevators in Pennsylvania

Verified on the source

In force

34 Pa. Code Ch. 405 (UCC): ASME A17.1-2000 incl. A17.1a-2002 addenda; ASME A18.1-1999 incl. A18.1a-2001; no ASME A17.3 adoption found

Existing equipment gets periodic inspections every 6 or 12 months by equipment type. Reg. #12-123, effective Dec 20, 2026, adopts ASME A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16 and A18.1-2017 and makes Category 1 testing annual for all equipment, including existing.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

L&I Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety has sole jurisdiction to approve construction and use of elevators and lifting devices; L&I certifies third-party elevator inspection agencies

Statewide layer. County and city amendments sit on top; the building view resolves them from your ZIP.

What changes next

New ASME editions Dec 20, 2026

Dec 20, 2026: Reg. #12-123 takes effect (A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, A18.1-2017, B20.1-2018, A90.1-2015, B77.1-2022, A17.8-2016; annual Category 1 tests, previously every 3 years)

The federal layer

There is no federal elevator inspection program; the state or city program below is the whole obligation, with ASME A17.1 and A17.3 as the referenced standards.

Dated items

Next 24 months

Dec 20, 2026

Elevator Reg. #12-123 (34 Pa. Code Ch. 401 and 405) takes effect: ASME A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, A18.1-2017 and other updated standards; annual Category 1 testing for all equipment, including existingPa. Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety

Dated

Questions about the elevator code and inspection rules in Pennsylvania

Which elevator rules apply in Pennsylvania today?

34 Pa. Code Ch. 405 (UCC): ASME A17.1-2000 incl. A17.1a-2002 addenda; ASME A18.1-1999 incl. A18.1a-2001; no ASME A17.3 adoption found. Existing equipment gets periodic inspections every 6 or 12 months by equipment type. Reg. #12-123, effective Dec 20, 2026, adopts ASME A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16 and A18.1-2017 and makes Category 1 testing annual for all equipment, including existing.

Who enforces the elevator code and inspection rules in Pennsylvania?

L&I Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety has sole jurisdiction to approve construction and use of elevators and lifting devices; L&I certifies third-party elevator inspection agencies.

What changes next for the elevator code and inspection rules in Pennsylvania?

New ASME editions Dec 20, 2026. Dec 20, 2026: Reg. #12-123 takes effect (A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, A18.1-2017, B20.1-2018, A90.1-2015, B77.1-2022, A17.8-2016; annual Category 1 tests, previously every 3 years)