What Are CAT1 and CAT4 Inspections?

If you own or manage a building with an elevator in Florida, you’re required by law to perform specific safety inspections to ensure the equipment is operating properly and protecting its passengers. These inspections—referred to as CAT1 (Category 1) and CAT4 (Category 5-Year Full Load Test)—are essential to remaining compliant with state regulations, avoiding fines, and most importantly, ensuring the safety of everyone using your elevators.

At Capital Elevator Co, we’ve helped property managers, building owners, and facility directors across Florida stay up to date with inspection requirements. In this post, we break down exactly what CAT1 and CAT4 inspections are, what they involve, and how we make the process stress-free.

What Is a CAT1 Inspection?

The CAT1 inspection, or Category 1 inspection, is an annual safety test required for all commercial elevators in Florida. It’s designed to confirm that the elevator’s most critical components are functioning properly. These components include the door systems, safety devices, emergency features, and hydraulic or traction systems—essentially, everything that protects passengers during regular operation or in case of emergency.

This inspection must be conducted by a licensed elevator technician and reported to the Florida Bureau of Elevator Safety. The results must be documented, and any deficiencies must be corrected within a specified timeframe.

What’s Included in a CAT1 Inspection?

• Full visual inspection of the elevator cab, hoistway, and pit

• Door lock and safety device checks

• Emergency stop and alarm testing

• Brake and governor tests

• Inspection of hydraulic systems or traction ropes

• General equipment function review and code compliance check

Failing to perform a CAT1 inspection can result in penalties, shutdown orders, or liability exposure if an accident occurs.

What Is a CAT4 Inspection?

The CAT4 inspection, also known as the five-year full-load safety test, is a more extensive test required every five years. While CAT1 inspections focus on annual safety checks, CAT4 inspections go deeper and are specifically designed to test the elevator under full rated load conditions to ensure that braking, acceleration, deceleration, and safety systems perform as they should under maximum stress.

This test can be more time-intensive and often requires the elevator to be taken offline temporarily. It’s a critical part of long-term elevator health and is also mandatory for code compliance in Florida.

What’s Included in a CAT4 Inspection?

• All CAT1 checks

• Full-load testing with calibrated weights

• Speed regulation and brake performance under load

• Safety gear and buffer test activation

• Hoistway and control system response evaluation

• Detailed documentation and performance analysis

Because of the complexity, CAT4 inspections must be carefully planned to minimize disruption to your building operations—and that’s where working with a qualified contractor makes all the difference.

How Capital Elevator Co Makes It Easy

At Capital Elevator Co, we don’t just check boxes—we manage the entire inspection process for you. Our team coordinates with local authorities, ensures your elevator is prepared in advance, conducts the inspection safely and efficiently, and handles all post-inspection documentation.

If any repairs or adjustments are needed, we can address them immediately to ensure you pass and stay compliant. Plus, we provide reminders and ongoing scheduling so you never miss an upcoming deadline—whether it’s your next CAT1 or your five-year CAT4.

Elevator Inspection Violations Removal

Understanding the difference between CAT1 and CAT4 inspections is essential for any Florida building owner or manager. These tests protect your passengers, extend the life of your equipment, and keep you compliant with state regulations. Skipping or delaying them isn’t just risky—it can be costly.

If you're unsure about your next inspection date or need a trusted partner to handle it from start to finish, Capital Elevator Co is here to help. We’re Florida’s go-to experts for elevator inspection, repair, and maintenance—because your safety is always our top priority.