The Elevator Industry Glossary
100+ essential terms every elevator contractor, service provider, OEM
and property manager should know — explained in plain English.
Browse alphabetically, filter by category, or search to jump straight to a definition.
A
AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract)
A yearly service agreement covering scheduled maintenance and breakdown support.
ServiceARD (Automatic Rescue Device)
A battery backup that moves a stalled elevator to the nearest floor during a power failure.
TechnicalAsset Management
Tracking every elevator, part, and tool across sites for lifecycle visibility.
SoftwareASME A17.1
The North American safety code for elevators, escalators, and moving walks.
ComplianceAudit Trail
A time-stamped log of every action taken in the software for accountability.
SoftwareB
Backlog
Pending service jobs or complaints not yet completed.
ServiceBreakdown Call
An unplanned service visit triggered by an elevator fault.
ServiceBuffer
A spring or hydraulic device at the pit bottom that absorbs impact in an overtravel event.
TechnicalC
Callback Rate
How often a serviced elevator fails again within a defined window; a key quality metric.
ServiceCar Operating Panel (COP)
The in-cabin button panel passengers use to select floors.
TechnicalCMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)
Software that schedules, tracks, and reports on maintenance work.
SoftwareComplaint Ticket
A formal record of a customer-reported issue with status tracking.
ServiceComprehensive AMC
A contract that includes both labour and spare parts.
ServiceCounterweight
A weighted block balancing the elevator car to reduce motor load.
TechnicalD
Dispatch Board
A real-time view of technicians, jobs, and locations used to assign work.
SoftwareDoor Operator
The motor and linkage that opens and closes the car and landing doors.
TechnicalDowntime
The total period an elevator is out of service.
ServiceE
EN 81-20 / EN 81-50
The European safety standards for the construction and installation of lifts.
ComplianceElevator Modernization
Upgrading older equipment with new controls, drives, or interiors.
ServiceELD (Emergency Light Device)
Cabin lighting that activates during a power outage.
TechnicalEscalation Matrix
A predefined hierarchy for routing unresolved tickets to senior staff.
ServiceF
Field Service Management (FSM)
Software that coordinates mobile technicians, jobs, and parts.
SoftwareFire Service Mode
A code-mandated mode that recalls elevators to a safe floor during a fire.
ComplianceFirst-Time Fix Rate (FTFR)
Percentage of jobs resolved on the first visit; a core KPI.
ServiceFloat Stock
Spare parts kept on hand to avoid downtime during repairs.
ServiceG
Geared Traction
A traction elevator using a gearbox between motor and sheave.
TechnicalGearless Traction
A high-efficiency traction system without a gearbox, common in MRL designs.
TechnicalGovernor (Overspeed Governor)
A safety device that activates the safety gear if the car exceeds rated speed.
TechnicalGST Invoice
A tax-compliant invoice required for Indian customers.
ServiceH
Hoistway (Shaft)
The vertical enclosure in which the elevator car travels.
TechnicalHydraulic Elevator
An elevator driven by a hydraulic ram, typical for low-rise buildings.
TechnicalHR & Workforce Management
Tools to manage technicians, attendance, shifts, and payroll.
SoftwareI
Inspection Certificate
Document issued after a successful regulatory inspection.
ComplianceInstallation Project
A new elevator deployment tracked from sales handover to commissioning.
ServiceInventory Reorder Point
The stock level at which a replenishment order is automatically triggered.
SoftwareIoT Monitoring
Connecting elevators to the cloud via sensors for real-time health data.
SoftwareIS 14665
The Indian safety standard for electric traction lifts.
ComplianceJ
Job Card
A digital or paper record of work performed during a service visit.
ServiceJurisdictional Inspection
A government-mandated periodic inspection by a local authority.
ComplianceK
KPI (Key Performance Indicator)
A measurable metric like uptime, MTTR, or FTFR used to track service quality.
ServiceKnowledge Base
A searchable repository of how-to articles and SOPs for technicians and customers.
SoftwareL
Landing Door
The outer door on each floor that opens to the elevator car.
TechnicalLift Inspector
A certified professional who audits elevators for code compliance.
ComplianceLoad Test
A test that verifies the elevator can safely carry its rated capacity.
ComplianceM
Machine Room
A dedicated room housing the elevator drive, controller, and governor.
TechnicalMachine-Room-Less (MRL)
An elevator design with the drive inside the hoistway, saving building space.
TechnicalMaterial Management
Software module for stock, purchases, and parts movement across stores.
SoftwareMTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)
The average operating time between two breakdowns.
ServiceMTTR (Mean Time To Repair)
The average time to restore service after a breakdown.
ServiceMulti-site Operations
Managing service across multiple buildings, cities, or countries from one platform.
SoftwareN
Non-comprehensive AMC
A contract covering labour only; spare parts billed separately.
ServiceNotification Engine
System logic that alerts customers and technicians via SMS, email, or WhatsApp.
SoftwareO
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
The company that built the elevator (e.g., Otis, KONE, Schindler).
ServiceOTIS Code
Colloquial term for OEM-specific service codes; also refers to the manufacturer Otis.
TechnicalOverspeed
A condition where the car exceeds its rated speed, triggering safety gear.
TechnicalP
Pawl Device
A mechanical stop preventing uncontrolled descent in certain elevator types.
TechnicalPeriodic Inspection
A statutory inspection performed at regular intervals (often annually).
CompliancePredictive Maintenance
Using sensor data and analytics to fix issues before failure occurs.
SoftwarePreventive Maintenance (PM)
Scheduled servicing to prevent breakdowns and extend lifespan.
ServiceProposal / Quotation
A formal price offer sent to a prospect for service or installation.
ServicePunch List
Outstanding items to be closed before project handover.
ServicePurchase Order (PO)
A document issued to a supplier authorizing parts or services.
SoftwareQ
Quote-to-Cash
The end-to-end process from generating a quote to receiving payment.
ServiceQR Code Tagging
Placing scannable codes on equipment for quick on-site identification.
SoftwareR
Recall Operation
Returning the elevator to a designated floor under fire or emergency signal.
ComplianceRenewal Pipeline
Upcoming AMC contracts due for renewal in the next period.
ServiceReports & Dashboards
Visual analytics on revenue, jobs, SLAs, and asset health.
SoftwareRoping (1:1, 2:1)
The mechanical ratio of the hoist rope arrangement between motor and car.
TechnicalRoute Optimization
Software-driven scheduling that minimizes technician travel time.
SoftwareS
Safety Gear
A mechanical device that grips the guide rails to stop an overspeeding car.
TechnicalSaaS (Software-as-a-Service)
Cloud-hosted software accessed by subscription, like ElevatorPlus.
SoftwareSales Pipeline
A visual representation of deals at each stage of the sales cycle.
SoftwareService Level Agreement (SLA)
A contractual commitment to response and resolution times.
ServiceSheave
The grooved pulley that drives the hoist ropes in a traction elevator.
TechnicalSite Engineer
The technician primarily assigned to a specific building or cluster.
ServiceSpare Parts Catalog
A structured list of parts with codes, prices, and stock levels.
SoftwareStatutory Compliance
Adherence to local lift acts, safety codes, and inspection rules.
ComplianceStretcher Lift
A larger elevator car size required in hospitals to accommodate stretchers.
TechnicalT
Technician App
A mobile app for field engineers to receive jobs, log work, and capture signatures.
SoftwareThird-Party Audit
An independent safety or quality audit performed by an external agency.
ComplianceTicket Lifecycle
The full path of a complaint from open → assigned → resolved → closed.
ServiceTraction Elevator
An elevator driven by ropes and a sheave, suited for mid- to high-rise buildings.
TechnicalTurnaround Time (TAT)
The total time taken to resolve a service request.
ServiceU
Uptime
The percentage of time an elevator is operational; the inverse of downtime.
ServiceUser Roles & Permissions
Access control settings that define what each user can view or edit.
SoftwareV
Vendor Management
Tracking suppliers of spare parts, materials, and outsourced services.
SoftwareVVVF Drive (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency)
A drive that smoothly controls motor speed for ride comfort and energy savings.
TechnicalVisit Frequency
The number of preventive maintenance visits per elevator per year.
ServiceW
Warranty Period
The post-installation duration during which defects are repaired at no cost.
ServiceWork Order
A formal instruction to perform a specific service or installation task.
ServiceWhatsApp Integration
A channel to send job updates, invoices, and alerts directly to customers.
SoftwareWireless Diagnostics
Remote fault diagnosis using IoT-connected controllers.
SoftwareX
XLPE Cable
Cross-linked polyethylene insulated cable, commonly used in elevator traveling cables.
TechnicalXML Data Feed
A structured data format sometimes used to integrate ElevatorPlus with ERP systems.
SoftwareY
Year-End Compliance Report
A consolidated annual report submitted to regulators and customers.
ComplianceYield (Service Yield)
Revenue generated per elevator under contract; a profitability metric.
ServiceZ
Zero-Downtime Maintenance
Servicing without taking the elevator fully out of operation, where possible.
ServiceZoning (Elevator Zoning)
Grouping floors served by specific elevators in tall buildings to optimize traffic.
TechnicalZone-based Dispatch
Assigning technicians to fixed geographic zones for faster response.
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