14.1 - CONTRACTOR – PASSENGER AND
FREIGHT ELEVATORS EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2025/2026.
(E) What code establishes the safety standards for elevators and other lifting devices in Quebec?
- ANS CAN/CSA B44 "Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators and Moving Walks"
as referenced in Chapter IV of the Quebec Construction Code.
(M) What is the requirement for an elevator that will be used by firefighters according to the
Quebec Building Code? - ANS The elevator must have a dedicated power supply, emergency
recall function, and be able to reach any floor in the building within 60 seconds. It must also
have signage identifying it as a firefighter elevator and meet the requirements specified in both
the CNB 95 and B44 safety code.
(E) What must be done before initiating elevator installation work according to Quebec
regulations? - ANS Plans and specifications must be signed by an engineer before work
begins, and the appropriate declaration of work must be submitted to the Régie du bâtiment du
Québec (RBQ).
(M) When installing a hydraulic elevator system, what environmental law must be considered? -
ANS Law 72 "Act to amend the Environment Quality Act" regarding soil protection and
rehabilitation must be considered to prevent soil contamination from hydraulic fluid leaks and
provide proper containment measures.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,(D) Under what conditions must an elevator be immobilized due to safety concerns? - ANS An
elevator must be immobilized when: safety mechanisms fail to operate correctly, doors open
without the car at the landing, there is excessive platform movement, brake failure occurs, or if
there are visible signs of damage to suspension cables or critical structural components.
(M) What is the minimum pit depth required for a traction elevator with a car speed of 500
ft/min (2.5 m/s)? - ANS The minimum pit depth should be 6 ft (1.8 meters) to allow for
proper installation of safety equipment, buffers, and maintenance clearances as per CAN/CSA
B44.
(E) What types of machines are used for elevator drive systems? - ANS Drive systems include:
cable suspension machines, rack and pinion drives, screw and nut drives, hydraulic systems, and
nodular cable drum drives.
(D) During an elevator modernization project, what must be maintained in relation to building
fire safety? - ANS The integrity of fire separations and fire-rated walls must not be modified
without authorization. Any penetrations through fire separations must be properly sealed with
approved firestopping materials to maintain the required fire resistance rating.
(M) What are the key factors to consider when estimating the installation of a new elevator? -
ANS Key factors include: hoistway dimensions, building use and expected traffic volume,
delivery timelines, required materials and equipment, labor resources, productivity rates,
electrical requirements, and compatibility with existing building systems.
(E) What must be provided to the building owner after completing elevator installation? -
ANS Instruction and maintenance manuals must be provided to the owner or their
representative, along with any required certifications and test records.
(D) What tests must be performed before putting a new elevator into service? - ANS Tests
must include: safety mechanism activation, emergency braking, door safety devices, emergency
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,communication, emergency power operation, terminal stopping devices, fire recall function,
and load capacity verification as required by the Quebec Construction Code.
(M) What is the minimum headroom clearance required above an elevator car when it's at its
highest landing position? - ANS The minimum overhead clearance is 43 in (1100 mm) for
elevators with speeds up to 200 ft/min (1 m/s), with additional clearance required for higher-
speed elevators as specified in CAN/CSA B44.
(E) What is a crucial safety component that prevents elevator car freefall? - ANS The safeties
or parachute system, which mechanically engages with the guide rails to stop the car if it
exceeds a predetermined speed or if suspension means fail.
(M) What requirements must be met for accessibility in passenger elevators? - ANS Elevators
must have minimum interior dimensions of 68 in × 54 in (1730 mm × 1370 mm), control panels
at maximum 48 in (1220 mm) height, tactile/Braille markings, audible signals, and a reopening
device for doors as specified in barrier-free design requirements.
(D) What specific electrical requirements must be considered when installing an elevator? -
ANS The electrical installation must comply with Section 38 of the Canadian Electrical Code
and Chapter V of the Quebec Construction Code. This includes appropriate feeder sizing,
dedicated disconnect means, emergency power connections, appropriate conductor types for
traveling cables, grounding, and overcurrent protection.
(M) What is required for proper coordination between elevator installation and other trades on
a construction site? - ANS Proper interface coordination between trades must be established,
including timely communication of requirements, providing necessary drawings and
specifications, identifying appropriate locations for electrical and mechanical work, and
ensuring all preparatory work is completed before elevator installation begins.
(E) What types of loads must be considered when designing elevator systems? - ANS Load
considerations include: nominal load (rated capacity), static load, suspension load, impact load,
seismic load, and wind load for external elevators or observation elevators.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, (D) During maintenance of a hydraulic elevator, what should be monitored to ensure
environmental compliance? - ANS Oil levels must be monitored with a documented oil loss
log, hydraulic system pressure should be verified, and checks for leaks in pipes, fittings, cylinder
head, and packing gland must be performed. Any oil leaks must be contained and cleaned
according to environmental regulations under Law 72.
(M) What factors determine the selection of elevator type for a building project? -
ANS Factors include: building height, expected passenger traffic volume, available space for
machinery and hoistway, energy efficiency requirements, budget constraints, speed
requirements, and whether it's a new installation or modernization of an existing system.
(E) What is the purpose of an elevator buffer? - ANS Buffers are energy-absorbing devices
installed at the bottom of the hoistway to stop a descending car or counterweight beyond its
normal limit of travel, minimizing impact forces in case of overtravel.
(D) What are the load testing requirements for a newly installed passenger elevator? -
ANS The elevator must be tested at 125% of rated load for all operational functions. Static
tests must verify brake holding capacity, dynamic tests must verify proper operation of safety
devices, and running tests must verify performance at full load including speed, leveling
accuracy, and door operation.
(M) What are the minimum requirements for an elevator machine room? - ANS The machine
room must have a minimum height of 7 ft (2.1 meters), proper ventilation or climate control,
adequate lighting of 19 fc (200 lux), a lockable door that opens outward, proper fire rating
consistent with the hoistway, and clear working space around machinery as specified in
CAN/CSA B44.
(E) What is a governor in an elevator system? - ANS A governor is a mechanical device that
detects when an elevator exceeds its rated speed and triggers the safety mechanism to stop the
car in case of uncontrolled movement.
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
FREIGHT ELEVATORS EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2025/2026.
(E) What code establishes the safety standards for elevators and other lifting devices in Quebec?
- ANS CAN/CSA B44 "Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators and Moving Walks"
as referenced in Chapter IV of the Quebec Construction Code.
(M) What is the requirement for an elevator that will be used by firefighters according to the
Quebec Building Code? - ANS The elevator must have a dedicated power supply, emergency
recall function, and be able to reach any floor in the building within 60 seconds. It must also
have signage identifying it as a firefighter elevator and meet the requirements specified in both
the CNB 95 and B44 safety code.
(E) What must be done before initiating elevator installation work according to Quebec
regulations? - ANS Plans and specifications must be signed by an engineer before work
begins, and the appropriate declaration of work must be submitted to the Régie du bâtiment du
Québec (RBQ).
(M) When installing a hydraulic elevator system, what environmental law must be considered? -
ANS Law 72 "Act to amend the Environment Quality Act" regarding soil protection and
rehabilitation must be considered to prevent soil contamination from hydraulic fluid leaks and
provide proper containment measures.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,(D) Under what conditions must an elevator be immobilized due to safety concerns? - ANS An
elevator must be immobilized when: safety mechanisms fail to operate correctly, doors open
without the car at the landing, there is excessive platform movement, brake failure occurs, or if
there are visible signs of damage to suspension cables or critical structural components.
(M) What is the minimum pit depth required for a traction elevator with a car speed of 500
ft/min (2.5 m/s)? - ANS The minimum pit depth should be 6 ft (1.8 meters) to allow for
proper installation of safety equipment, buffers, and maintenance clearances as per CAN/CSA
B44.
(E) What types of machines are used for elevator drive systems? - ANS Drive systems include:
cable suspension machines, rack and pinion drives, screw and nut drives, hydraulic systems, and
nodular cable drum drives.
(D) During an elevator modernization project, what must be maintained in relation to building
fire safety? - ANS The integrity of fire separations and fire-rated walls must not be modified
without authorization. Any penetrations through fire separations must be properly sealed with
approved firestopping materials to maintain the required fire resistance rating.
(M) What are the key factors to consider when estimating the installation of a new elevator? -
ANS Key factors include: hoistway dimensions, building use and expected traffic volume,
delivery timelines, required materials and equipment, labor resources, productivity rates,
electrical requirements, and compatibility with existing building systems.
(E) What must be provided to the building owner after completing elevator installation? -
ANS Instruction and maintenance manuals must be provided to the owner or their
representative, along with any required certifications and test records.
(D) What tests must be performed before putting a new elevator into service? - ANS Tests
must include: safety mechanism activation, emergency braking, door safety devices, emergency
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,communication, emergency power operation, terminal stopping devices, fire recall function,
and load capacity verification as required by the Quebec Construction Code.
(M) What is the minimum headroom clearance required above an elevator car when it's at its
highest landing position? - ANS The minimum overhead clearance is 43 in (1100 mm) for
elevators with speeds up to 200 ft/min (1 m/s), with additional clearance required for higher-
speed elevators as specified in CAN/CSA B44.
(E) What is a crucial safety component that prevents elevator car freefall? - ANS The safeties
or parachute system, which mechanically engages with the guide rails to stop the car if it
exceeds a predetermined speed or if suspension means fail.
(M) What requirements must be met for accessibility in passenger elevators? - ANS Elevators
must have minimum interior dimensions of 68 in × 54 in (1730 mm × 1370 mm), control panels
at maximum 48 in (1220 mm) height, tactile/Braille markings, audible signals, and a reopening
device for doors as specified in barrier-free design requirements.
(D) What specific electrical requirements must be considered when installing an elevator? -
ANS The electrical installation must comply with Section 38 of the Canadian Electrical Code
and Chapter V of the Quebec Construction Code. This includes appropriate feeder sizing,
dedicated disconnect means, emergency power connections, appropriate conductor types for
traveling cables, grounding, and overcurrent protection.
(M) What is required for proper coordination between elevator installation and other trades on
a construction site? - ANS Proper interface coordination between trades must be established,
including timely communication of requirements, providing necessary drawings and
specifications, identifying appropriate locations for electrical and mechanical work, and
ensuring all preparatory work is completed before elevator installation begins.
(E) What types of loads must be considered when designing elevator systems? - ANS Load
considerations include: nominal load (rated capacity), static load, suspension load, impact load,
seismic load, and wind load for external elevators or observation elevators.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, (D) During maintenance of a hydraulic elevator, what should be monitored to ensure
environmental compliance? - ANS Oil levels must be monitored with a documented oil loss
log, hydraulic system pressure should be verified, and checks for leaks in pipes, fittings, cylinder
head, and packing gland must be performed. Any oil leaks must be contained and cleaned
according to environmental regulations under Law 72.
(M) What factors determine the selection of elevator type for a building project? -
ANS Factors include: building height, expected passenger traffic volume, available space for
machinery and hoistway, energy efficiency requirements, budget constraints, speed
requirements, and whether it's a new installation or modernization of an existing system.
(E) What is the purpose of an elevator buffer? - ANS Buffers are energy-absorbing devices
installed at the bottom of the hoistway to stop a descending car or counterweight beyond its
normal limit of travel, minimizing impact forces in case of overtravel.
(D) What are the load testing requirements for a newly installed passenger elevator? -
ANS The elevator must be tested at 125% of rated load for all operational functions. Static
tests must verify brake holding capacity, dynamic tests must verify proper operation of safety
devices, and running tests must verify performance at full load including speed, leveling
accuracy, and door operation.
(M) What are the minimum requirements for an elevator machine room? - ANS The machine
room must have a minimum height of 7 ft (2.1 meters), proper ventilation or climate control,
adequate lighting of 19 fc (200 lux), a lockable door that opens outward, proper fire rating
consistent with the hoistway, and clear working space around machinery as specified in
CAN/CSA B44.
(E) What is a governor in an elevator system? - ANS A governor is a mechanical device that
detects when an elevator exceeds its rated speed and triggers the safety mechanism to stop the
car in case of uncontrolled movement.
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
