QEI - Qualified Elevator Inspector Testing and Maintenance Protocols Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A QEI is witnessing a Category 5 full-load, rated-speed safety test on a traction elevator. Immediately after the safeties successfully stop the car, what is the critical first step that must be performed before the car is moved?
- Measure the slide marks on the guide rails to ensure they are within tolerance.
- Run the car upwards a few inches to confirm the safeties will release properly.
- Visually inspect the guide rails, their brackets, and the car frame for any damage or deformation. (Correct answer)
- Check the governor rope for any signs of slippage or damage at the governor sheave.
Correct answer: Visually inspect the guide rails, their brackets, and the car frame for any damage or deformation.
According to ASME A17.1 safety standards, after a full-force safety application, the system must be inspected for damage before any attempt is made to move the car. The immense forces can damage the guide rails, brackets, or the car frame itself. Moving the car with damaged components could lead to a more severe incident.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a Maintenance Control Program (MCP) as required by ASME A17.1/CSA B44?
- To schedule the replacement of major components based on a fixed ten-year cycle.
- To provide a documented, systematic process for examinations, maintenance, and testing of equipment. (Correct answer)
- To replace the need for periodic Category 1, 3, and 5 safety tests with ongoing monitoring.
- To log all user-reported issues and automatically dispatch a technician.
Correct answer: To provide a documented, systematic process for examinations, maintenance, and testing of equipment.
The Maintenance Control Program (MCP) is a formal, documented procedure required by code to ensure that all maintenance, examinations, and tests are performed at specified intervals. It ensures that the equipment is maintained in compliance with the applicable code requirements, not just repaired when it breaks.
Question 3: During a Category 3 periodic test on a direct-acting hydraulic elevator, a pressure test is performed on the cylinder. What is the primary hazard this test is designed to detect?
- Improper setting of the system relief valve.
- A gradual drop in the car's position over time (drift).
- A leak in the underground cylinder or piping. (Correct answer)
- Failure of the plunger gripper device to engage.
Correct answer: A leak in the underground cylinder or piping.
The Category 3 pressure test (performed every 3 years) is specifically designed to detect leaks in the cylinder and any associated buried piping. This is a critical safety and environmental test, as an undetected leak could lead to a catastrophic failure or ground contamination.
Question 4: An inspector evaluating steel hoist ropes on a traction elevator observes a reddish-brown powder accumulating in the valleys between the strands. This condition, known as rouging, is a criterion for rope replacement because it indicates:
- The ropes were improperly lubricated at the factory.
- Corrosion from excessive moisture in the hoistway.
- Normal wear of the outer wire surfaces against the sheave.
- Loss of internal lubrication and friction between strands. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Loss of internal lubrication and friction between strands.
Rouging is a specific term for the abrasive wear byproduct that indicates the rope's core and internal lubrication has broken down. The fine, rust-colored powder is created by the steel strands abrading against each other internally. This internal wear significantly reduces the rope's strength and is a key indicator for replacement.
Question 5: After the successful completion of a periodic safety test (e.g., Category 1, 3, or 5), a test tag must be affixed to the equipment. According to ASME A17.1, which of the following pieces of information is required to be on this tag?
- The date the test was performed and the identification of the person or firm that performed it. (Correct answer)
- The rated load and speed of the elevator, and the name of the QEI who witnessed the test.
- The next scheduled date for the same category of test.
- A checklist of all the specific code requirements that were verified during the test.
Correct answer: The date the test was performed and the identification of the person or firm that performed it.
ASME A17.1 requires that test tags provide a clear record of when a test was done and by whom. The tag must include the date of the test and the name of the person or firm that conducted it. This creates a traceable history of compliance and maintenance for the equipment.
Question 6: A QEI is witnessing an annual test of the traction elevator brake system. The test involves stopping the car while it is traveling in the up direction with 125% of its rated load. What is the primary purpose of this specific test?
- To verify the setting of the governor overspeed switch.
- To test the structural integrity of the car frame and platform.
- To ensure the machine brake can adequately stop and hold the maximum rated load. (Correct answer)
- To confirm the functionality of the emergency terminal speed-limiting device.
Correct answer: To ensure the machine brake can adequately stop and hold the maximum rated load.
This procedure describes the test of the machine brake's holding and stopping capacity. By loading the car to 125% of its rated load and performing a stop, the test verifies that the brake has sufficient torque to safely stop and hold the car under a load condition that it should never see in normal operation, providing a crucial margin of safety.
QEI - Qualified Elevator Inspector Testing and Maintenance Protocols Questions and Answers
A QEI is witnessing a Category 5 full-load, rated-speed safety test on a traction elevator.
Immediately after the safeties successfully stop the car, what is the critical first step that must be performed before the car is moved?