NEIEP MECHANICS EXAM 2026 | Questions and Answers
2026/2027 | Expert Verified Edition | Elevator Industry
Certification | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Elevator Safety Codes & Regulations (ASME A17.1) (Questions 1-25)
Q1: According to ASME A17.1, what is the minimum clearance required between the
car sill and the landing sill when the car is level at a floor?
A. 0.25 inches
B. 0.5 inches
C. 1.0 inch
D. 1.5 inches [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ASME A17.1 requires a maximum clearance of 1.5 inches between the car
sill and the landing sill to prevent tripping hazards, making D correct; A, B, and C are
incorrect as they represent clearances that would be non-compliant and too restrictive
for standard operation.
Q2: During a fire recall (Phase I emergency recall operation), to which floor will the
elevator automatically return?
A. The designated recall floor specified by the authority having jurisdiction
B. The top floor of the building
C. The nearest floor to the fire
D. The main entrance floor [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ASME A17.1 dictates that Phase I recall must bring the car to a designated
floor, which is typically the main entrance floor unless otherwise specified by the local
fire department, making D correct; A, B, and C misinterpret the standard priority for fire
department access.
Q3: When performing maintenance in the pit, an elevator mechanic must implement
lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures. Which of the following is the first step in the LOTO
process according to OSHA standards?
A. Shut down the equipment
B. Isolate the equipment from the energy source
C. Notify all affected employees [CORRECT]
D. Apply the lockout device
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: OSHA's standard LOTO sequence begins with preparation, which includes
notifying all affected employees of the impending lockout, making C correct; A, B, and D
occur sequentially after notification.
Q4: Under ASME A17.1, what safety device must be provided to prevent the car from
moving if the hoist ropes break or become slack?
A. Terminal stopping device
B. Governor
C. Car safety (safety plank) [CORRECT]
D. Buffer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The car safety (often a wedge or roller type) is the mechanical device that
grips the guide rails to stop and hold the car if the suspension means fail, making C
correct; A stops the car at normal speed, B detects overspeed, and D cushions the car
at the bottom of the hoistway.
Q5: An elevator technician is inspecting a hoistway door. According to ASME A17.1, the
hoistway door locking mechanism must prevent the door from being opened from the
landing side under which condition?
A. When the car is within the unlocking zone
B. When the car is level with the landing
C. When the car is not in the unlocking zone [CORRECT]
D. When the car door is closed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hoistway door interlocks are designed to mechanically lock the door
whenever the car is outside the unlocking zone (typically 18 inches above or below the
landing level), making C correct; A and B are conditions under which the door can be
opened, and D is unrelated to the landing side lock.
Q6: Which of the following describes the correct sequence of operations for Phase II
Firefighters' Service?
A. The firefighter uses a key to recall the car, then operates the car using normal hall
buttons.
B. The firefighter uses a key switch to take manual control of the car, overriding
automatic door operation and hall call registration. [CORRECT]
C. The firefighter recalls the car, and the car automatically travels to the fire floor based
on smoke detectors.
D. The firefighter operates the car using a separate set of buttons located in the
vestibule.
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Phase II service allows firefighters to use a key switch in the car to assume
manual control, enabling them to open/close doors and move the car at a reduced
speed without automatic interference, making B correct; A describes Phase I, and C
and D do not exist in standard A17.1 code.
Q7: According to ASME A17.1, what is the minimum required headroom in the pit for a
traction elevator traveling over 100 feet per minute?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet [CORRECT]
C. 5 feet
D. 6 feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For elevators with speeds exceeding 100 fpm, ASME A17.1 mandates a
minimum pit clearance of 4 feet to allow a mechanic to safely work and clear the car
buffer, making B correct; A is too small for safe clearance at higher speeds, and C and
D are standard sizes for different speed ranges or buffer strokes.
Q8: A mechanic notices that the emergency exit hatch on top of the car does not open
outward. Is this a code violation?
A. No, it can open inward as long as it is locked from the outside.
B. Yes, the hatch must open outward and be equipped with a locking mechanism that
prevents it from being opened from inside the car. [CORRECT]
C. No, the direction of opening is not specified in the code.
D. Yes, but only if the elevator travels faster than 200 fpm.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ASME A17.1 requires the car top emergency exit to open outward (to prevent
it from being jammed shut by the car frame) and must be locked so it cannot be opened
by passengers inside the car, making B correct; A, C, and D violate these safety
principles.
Q9: What is the required minimum width of a clear hoistway for a standard passenger
elevator with a capacity of 2500 lbs and a center-opening door?
A. 6 feet 8 inches
B. 7 feet 0 inches
C. 8 feet 0 inches [CORRECT]
D. 8 feet 6 inches
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Based on standard ASME A17.1 dimensional requirements for a typical 2500
lb capacity car with center-opening doors, the minimum clear hoistway width is
generally 8 feet 0 inches, making C correct; A and B are too narrow, and D is wider than
the minimum requirement.
, Q10: When an elevator is on fire recall, which of the following electrical components
must be bypassed or rendered inoperative?
A. Car call buttons
B. Hall call buttons
C. Door nudging operation [CORRECT]
D. Car lighting and ventilation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During Phase I recall, door nudging must be disabled to prevent the elevator
doors from opening on the recall floor if smoke is present, keeping the car locked until
Phase II is activated, making C correct; A and B are automatically canceled by the
recall, and D must remain active.
Q11: A technician is replacing a hoistway door interlock. According to ASME A17.1, the
electrical contacts of the interlock must be directly connected in series with which
circuit?
A. The hoist motor circuit
B. The door motor circuit
C. The safety circuit/line contactor circuit [CORRECT]
D. The lighting circuit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hoistway door locks must have their electrical contacts wired into the safety
circuit (or line contactor circuit) so that opening a door immediately breaks the circuit
and removes power from the traction machine, making C correct; A and B are incorrect
as the motor would still have power if the door opened, and D has no bearing on car
movement.
Q12: What is the maximum distance allowed between the edge of the car door and the
edge of the hoistway door sill when the car is at a landing and the doors are fully open?
A. 0.25 inches
B. 0.5 inches [CORRECT]
C. 1.0 inch
D. 1.5 inches
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To prevent shearing hazards, ASME A17.1 limits the gap between the car
door panel and the hoistway door panel (or sill edge) to a maximum of 0.5 inches,
making B correct; A is not the maximum allowed, and C and D are dangerous
tripping/shearing hazards.
Q13: According to ASME A17.1, which of the following is true regarding the use of
compensating ropes?
A. They are only required on hydraulic elevators.
2026/2027 | Expert Verified Edition | Elevator Industry
Certification | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Elevator Safety Codes & Regulations (ASME A17.1) (Questions 1-25)
Q1: According to ASME A17.1, what is the minimum clearance required between the
car sill and the landing sill when the car is level at a floor?
A. 0.25 inches
B. 0.5 inches
C. 1.0 inch
D. 1.5 inches [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ASME A17.1 requires a maximum clearance of 1.5 inches between the car
sill and the landing sill to prevent tripping hazards, making D correct; A, B, and C are
incorrect as they represent clearances that would be non-compliant and too restrictive
for standard operation.
Q2: During a fire recall (Phase I emergency recall operation), to which floor will the
elevator automatically return?
A. The designated recall floor specified by the authority having jurisdiction
B. The top floor of the building
C. The nearest floor to the fire
D. The main entrance floor [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ASME A17.1 dictates that Phase I recall must bring the car to a designated
floor, which is typically the main entrance floor unless otherwise specified by the local
fire department, making D correct; A, B, and C misinterpret the standard priority for fire
department access.
Q3: When performing maintenance in the pit, an elevator mechanic must implement
lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures. Which of the following is the first step in the LOTO
process according to OSHA standards?
A. Shut down the equipment
B. Isolate the equipment from the energy source
C. Notify all affected employees [CORRECT]
D. Apply the lockout device
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: OSHA's standard LOTO sequence begins with preparation, which includes
notifying all affected employees of the impending lockout, making C correct; A, B, and D
occur sequentially after notification.
Q4: Under ASME A17.1, what safety device must be provided to prevent the car from
moving if the hoist ropes break or become slack?
A. Terminal stopping device
B. Governor
C. Car safety (safety plank) [CORRECT]
D. Buffer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The car safety (often a wedge or roller type) is the mechanical device that
grips the guide rails to stop and hold the car if the suspension means fail, making C
correct; A stops the car at normal speed, B detects overspeed, and D cushions the car
at the bottom of the hoistway.
Q5: An elevator technician is inspecting a hoistway door. According to ASME A17.1, the
hoistway door locking mechanism must prevent the door from being opened from the
landing side under which condition?
A. When the car is within the unlocking zone
B. When the car is level with the landing
C. When the car is not in the unlocking zone [CORRECT]
D. When the car door is closed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hoistway door interlocks are designed to mechanically lock the door
whenever the car is outside the unlocking zone (typically 18 inches above or below the
landing level), making C correct; A and B are conditions under which the door can be
opened, and D is unrelated to the landing side lock.
Q6: Which of the following describes the correct sequence of operations for Phase II
Firefighters' Service?
A. The firefighter uses a key to recall the car, then operates the car using normal hall
buttons.
B. The firefighter uses a key switch to take manual control of the car, overriding
automatic door operation and hall call registration. [CORRECT]
C. The firefighter recalls the car, and the car automatically travels to the fire floor based
on smoke detectors.
D. The firefighter operates the car using a separate set of buttons located in the
vestibule.
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Phase II service allows firefighters to use a key switch in the car to assume
manual control, enabling them to open/close doors and move the car at a reduced
speed without automatic interference, making B correct; A describes Phase I, and C
and D do not exist in standard A17.1 code.
Q7: According to ASME A17.1, what is the minimum required headroom in the pit for a
traction elevator traveling over 100 feet per minute?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet [CORRECT]
C. 5 feet
D. 6 feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For elevators with speeds exceeding 100 fpm, ASME A17.1 mandates a
minimum pit clearance of 4 feet to allow a mechanic to safely work and clear the car
buffer, making B correct; A is too small for safe clearance at higher speeds, and C and
D are standard sizes for different speed ranges or buffer strokes.
Q8: A mechanic notices that the emergency exit hatch on top of the car does not open
outward. Is this a code violation?
A. No, it can open inward as long as it is locked from the outside.
B. Yes, the hatch must open outward and be equipped with a locking mechanism that
prevents it from being opened from inside the car. [CORRECT]
C. No, the direction of opening is not specified in the code.
D. Yes, but only if the elevator travels faster than 200 fpm.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ASME A17.1 requires the car top emergency exit to open outward (to prevent
it from being jammed shut by the car frame) and must be locked so it cannot be opened
by passengers inside the car, making B correct; A, C, and D violate these safety
principles.
Q9: What is the required minimum width of a clear hoistway for a standard passenger
elevator with a capacity of 2500 lbs and a center-opening door?
A. 6 feet 8 inches
B. 7 feet 0 inches
C. 8 feet 0 inches [CORRECT]
D. 8 feet 6 inches
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Based on standard ASME A17.1 dimensional requirements for a typical 2500
lb capacity car with center-opening doors, the minimum clear hoistway width is
generally 8 feet 0 inches, making C correct; A and B are too narrow, and D is wider than
the minimum requirement.
, Q10: When an elevator is on fire recall, which of the following electrical components
must be bypassed or rendered inoperative?
A. Car call buttons
B. Hall call buttons
C. Door nudging operation [CORRECT]
D. Car lighting and ventilation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During Phase I recall, door nudging must be disabled to prevent the elevator
doors from opening on the recall floor if smoke is present, keeping the car locked until
Phase II is activated, making C correct; A and B are automatically canceled by the
recall, and D must remain active.
Q11: A technician is replacing a hoistway door interlock. According to ASME A17.1, the
electrical contacts of the interlock must be directly connected in series with which
circuit?
A. The hoist motor circuit
B. The door motor circuit
C. The safety circuit/line contactor circuit [CORRECT]
D. The lighting circuit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hoistway door locks must have their electrical contacts wired into the safety
circuit (or line contactor circuit) so that opening a door immediately breaks the circuit
and removes power from the traction machine, making C correct; A and B are incorrect
as the motor would still have power if the door opened, and D has no bearing on car
movement.
Q12: What is the maximum distance allowed between the edge of the car door and the
edge of the hoistway door sill when the car is at a landing and the doors are fully open?
A. 0.25 inches
B. 0.5 inches [CORRECT]
C. 1.0 inch
D. 1.5 inches
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To prevent shearing hazards, ASME A17.1 limits the gap between the car
door panel and the hoistway door panel (or sill edge) to a maximum of 0.5 inches,
making B correct; A is not the maximum allowed, and C and D are dangerous
tripping/shearing hazards.
Q13: According to ASME A17.1, which of the following is true regarding the use of
compensating ropes?
A. They are only required on hydraulic elevators.
