QUALIFIED ELEVATOR INSPECTOR (QEI) CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
Question 1
Before beginning any inspection inside an elevator machine room, which
action should a Qualified Elevator Inspector perform first to ensure personal
safety and compliance with accepted safety practices?
A. Turn off the machine room lighting to reduce glare
B. Verify the machine operates at full speed before entering
C. Identify hazards, wear required PPE, and follow lockout/tagout
procedures when appropriate
D. Immediately begin inspecting the governor without notifying anyone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hazard assessment, proper personal protective equipment (PPE),
and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures are fundamental safety practices.
They help protect inspectors from electrical, mechanical, and moving
equipment hazards before inspection activities begin.
Question 2
Which ASME safety code is considered the primary reference for the
installation, alteration, inspection, testing, maintenance, and operation of
elevators and escalators throughout North America?
A. ASME A17.1/CSA B44
B. NFPA 13
,C. ASME B31.3
D. OSHA 1910 Subpart Z
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ASME A17.1/CSA B44 establishes comprehensive safety
requirements governing elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walks,
and related conveyances, making it the primary code referenced during QEI
inspections.
Question 3
During a periodic inspection, why should a Qualified Elevator Inspector
carefully examine elevator hoist ropes for wear, corrosion, broken wires,
and proper lubrication?
A. Because rope appearance affects passenger comfort
B. Because damaged ropes may reduce suspension integrity and
compromise safe elevator operation
C. Because ropes only influence ride quality and not safety
D. Because lubrication is optional under all inspection circumstances
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hoist ropes support the elevator car and counterweight.
Excessive wear, corrosion, or broken wires can reduce rope strength and
create significant safety risks requiring corrective action.
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of an elevator governor during normal
operation and emergency overspeed conditions affecting the elevator car?
,A. To control machine room ventilation
B. To monitor elevator speed and activate the safety gear during overspeed
conditions
C. To lubricate the hoist ropes automatically
D. To increase elevator travel speed during peak traffic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The governor continuously monitors elevator speed. If overspeed
occurs, it trips and activates the safety gear to stop the elevator safely
before catastrophic failure.
Question 5
Why is verifying proper operation of elevator door interlocks considered one
of the most important inspection responsibilities for a Qualified Elevator
Inspector?
A. Door interlocks prevent unauthorized machine room access only
B. Properly functioning interlocks prevent elevator movement when landing
doors are not securely closed and locked
C. Interlocks reduce elevator noise during operation
D. Interlocks increase elevator travel speed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Door interlocks are critical safety devices that prevent the
elevator from operating unless landing doors are securely closed and locked,
reducing the risk of falls into the hoistway.
Question 6
, Which document typically provides the inspector with previous inspection
findings, unresolved deficiencies, and historical maintenance information
useful during a periodic elevator inspection?
A. Passenger complaint log only
B. Elevator inspection reports and maintenance records
C. Building lease agreement
D. Fire evacuation map
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reviewing inspection reports and maintenance records helps
inspectors identify recurring issues, verify corrective actions, and evaluate
long-term equipment condition.
Question 7
When inspecting a hydraulic elevator system, why should the inspector
carefully examine hydraulic cylinders, piping, valves, and reservoirs for
leakage?
A. Hydraulic oil leaks may indicate equipment deterioration that affects safe
operation and environmental compliance
B. Oil leaks improve system lubrication
C. Small leaks never require documentation
D. Hydraulic elevators do not use pressurized oil
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hydraulic leaks may reduce lifting capability, contaminate the
environment, create slip hazards, and indicate component deterioration
requiring repair.
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
Question 1
Before beginning any inspection inside an elevator machine room, which
action should a Qualified Elevator Inspector perform first to ensure personal
safety and compliance with accepted safety practices?
A. Turn off the machine room lighting to reduce glare
B. Verify the machine operates at full speed before entering
C. Identify hazards, wear required PPE, and follow lockout/tagout
procedures when appropriate
D. Immediately begin inspecting the governor without notifying anyone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hazard assessment, proper personal protective equipment (PPE),
and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures are fundamental safety practices.
They help protect inspectors from electrical, mechanical, and moving
equipment hazards before inspection activities begin.
Question 2
Which ASME safety code is considered the primary reference for the
installation, alteration, inspection, testing, maintenance, and operation of
elevators and escalators throughout North America?
A. ASME A17.1/CSA B44
B. NFPA 13
,C. ASME B31.3
D. OSHA 1910 Subpart Z
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ASME A17.1/CSA B44 establishes comprehensive safety
requirements governing elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walks,
and related conveyances, making it the primary code referenced during QEI
inspections.
Question 3
During a periodic inspection, why should a Qualified Elevator Inspector
carefully examine elevator hoist ropes for wear, corrosion, broken wires,
and proper lubrication?
A. Because rope appearance affects passenger comfort
B. Because damaged ropes may reduce suspension integrity and
compromise safe elevator operation
C. Because ropes only influence ride quality and not safety
D. Because lubrication is optional under all inspection circumstances
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hoist ropes support the elevator car and counterweight.
Excessive wear, corrosion, or broken wires can reduce rope strength and
create significant safety risks requiring corrective action.
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of an elevator governor during normal
operation and emergency overspeed conditions affecting the elevator car?
,A. To control machine room ventilation
B. To monitor elevator speed and activate the safety gear during overspeed
conditions
C. To lubricate the hoist ropes automatically
D. To increase elevator travel speed during peak traffic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The governor continuously monitors elevator speed. If overspeed
occurs, it trips and activates the safety gear to stop the elevator safely
before catastrophic failure.
Question 5
Why is verifying proper operation of elevator door interlocks considered one
of the most important inspection responsibilities for a Qualified Elevator
Inspector?
A. Door interlocks prevent unauthorized machine room access only
B. Properly functioning interlocks prevent elevator movement when landing
doors are not securely closed and locked
C. Interlocks reduce elevator noise during operation
D. Interlocks increase elevator travel speed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Door interlocks are critical safety devices that prevent the
elevator from operating unless landing doors are securely closed and locked,
reducing the risk of falls into the hoistway.
Question 6
, Which document typically provides the inspector with previous inspection
findings, unresolved deficiencies, and historical maintenance information
useful during a periodic elevator inspection?
A. Passenger complaint log only
B. Elevator inspection reports and maintenance records
C. Building lease agreement
D. Fire evacuation map
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reviewing inspection reports and maintenance records helps
inspectors identify recurring issues, verify corrective actions, and evaluate
long-term equipment condition.
Question 7
When inspecting a hydraulic elevator system, why should the inspector
carefully examine hydraulic cylinders, piping, valves, and reservoirs for
leakage?
A. Hydraulic oil leaks may indicate equipment deterioration that affects safe
operation and environmental compliance
B. Oil leaks improve system lubrication
C. Small leaks never require documentation
D. Hydraulic elevators do not use pressurized oil
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hydraulic leaks may reduce lifting capability, contaminate the
environment, create slip hazards, and indicate component deterioration
requiring repair.
