Frequently Asked Questions

How do I schedule to have my elevator inspected by ALPS, Inc?
Do you provide services outside Buffalo?
What is an elevator certificate of operation?
What is a certificate of inspection?
Can my maintenance company provide inspection services?
Can you recommend a company to provide maintenance services?
How do I get a new unit inspected?
Can I get a code exception?
How often do elevators require inspections? 
Is my New York State service/maintenance contractor required to perform the tests required for the elevator inspection on my elevator as a part of my service contract?
How do I coordinate my inspection with my test done by my service company?
Should my elevator service company charge me for required testing?
Does my county or city perform my elevator inspections?
Is there an inspection fee?
Is there a fee for witnessing tests?
Can I get the inspection and test dates (anniversary date) changed?
How long does inspection take? Will it interrupt my business?

How do I schedule to have my elevator inspected by ALPS, Inc?

Send us an e-mail, fax, or simply call our office.  We will contact you to coordinate all inspection services in a timely manner.

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Do you provide services outside Buffalo?
Yes.  Please visit our list of jurisdictions. If you are in a jurisdiction that is not listed, please contact us to see if we are available to provide services in your area.

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What is an elevator certificate of Operation?
It is the form that should be posted in your elevator, in some cities it is known as an elevator license. It is only issued by cities of jurisdiction. It is recommended that you not post your inspection and test report, as it contains some confidential information.

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What is a certificate of inspection?
It is an alternate form to a certificate of operation. Should you require one of these, please call our office and we will have it sent out with your inspection and test report.

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Can my maintenance company provide inspection services?
No. Codes and regulations require that inspections be performed by a third-party inspection service. This is done to ensure compliance to code and to avoid conflict of interest.

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Can you recommend a company to provide maintenance services?
We have no affiliation with maintenance and repair companies, and as such do not recommend or endorse any maintenance companies. We do have a list of local maintenance companies and will provide this upon request.

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How do I get a new unit inspected?
This is done by your maintenance company when the unit is installed.

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Can I get a code exception?
Code exceptions/variances depend upon your jurisdiction. Please contact us to see if you might qualify for a code exception/variance.

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How often do elevators require inspections? 
ALPS recommends all elevators be inspected semi-annually, tested annually as per ASME A17.2 by a certified third-party elevator inspector. Inspection compliance and documentation are generally the first areas of inquiry in any litigation concerning elevator liability issues. 

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Is my New York State service/maintenance contractor required to perform the tests required for the elevator inspection on my elevator as a part of my service contract?
Yes.

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How do I coordinate my inspection with my test done by my service company?
We make every attempt to schedule one set of inspections and annual tests in one visit. This is not always possible. It would be in your best interest to call your Maintenance Company and schedule testing with them. Let them know we are your inspection company, they will call us and we will perform your inspection while we are there. If you are not sure when your inspections and tests are due, check your last inspection and test report or give us a call and we can look it up for you.

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Should my elevator service company charge me for required testing?
This depends on the actual contract, most do include it. Please check your contract.

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Does my county or city perform my elevator inspections?
Cities generally do not employ enough inspectors, with the exception of New York City. They hire elevator inspection supervisors or fire chiefs who generate certificates of operation.

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Is there an inspection fee?
Yes. Our base price is $80/elevator; this price may be discounted for multiple elevators. For a specific quote, please contact us.

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Is there a fee for witnessing tests?
Our base price is $85/hour; this price may be discounted for multiple elevators. For a specific quote, please contact us.

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Can I get the inspection and test dates (anniversary date) changed?
Yes. Please be sure to contact us prior to your license renewal date and we can change your anniversary dates for you.

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How long does inspection take? Will it interrupt my business?
An inspection takes about an hour to complete. It will disrupt the elevator/s for short periods of time. We will work with you to schedule tests at times that are best for you to avoid disruption in your business.

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