Tip of the Season Prepare Elevators for Warmer Conditions
VDA Inspection Services Staying Compliant in 2026
Code & Industry Trends ASME and NYC Inspection Pilot Program
Consulting Corner Elevator Reliability in Hospitality
Design Services Spotlight Shaping Elevator Design Globally
A Quiet Revolution in Inspections Hear from VDA's Theresa Tsamoutalis
Seasonal Tips
Assessing System Performance as Demand Shifts into Warmer Months
As systems transition from peak winter operation into spring and early summer, this shoulder season offers a valuable opportunity to evaluate how equipment performed under prolonged cold-weather demand. The shift in conditions can highlight lingering issues or new stresses as load profiles change. To get ahead of potential challenges, consider reviewing:
Equipment that required extended runtimes or frequent intervention during winter
Components that showed accelerated wear and may be vulnerable as temperatures rise
Controls or automation that struggled during seasonal changeovers or variable conditions
Using insights gained from winter performance now allows teams to address issues deliberately, optimize systems for warmer months, and reduce the risk of disruptions during peak summer demand.
VDA Inspection Services
Staying Compliant in 2026
The first half of the year is a common period for required inspections and testing, making review critical to staying ahead of compliance. Inspections can uncover issues that routine operation may not reveal, particularly in aging or heavily used systems. A focused inspection review should include:
• Confirmation that all required inspections and testing are up to date • Identification of deficiencies noted during recent or past inspections • Prioritization of corrective actions before follow-up inspections occur
VDA’s Inspection Services help owners and facility teams navigate requirements with confidence, identify risks early, and address findings before they impact operations or timelines.
Alongside the traditional prescriptive Safety Code (A17.1), ASME’s Performance-Based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators (A17.7) is gaining attention as a complementary standard. A17.7 offers an alternative framework focused on performance outcomes rather than prescriptive requirements, which can be especially useful for new technologies and unconventional system designs.
This shift reflects industry interest in flexible, innovation-friendly compliance approaches.
The ASME A17.3-2023 Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators is being referenced more frequently by jurisdictions and inspectors as a benchmark for retroactive safety upgrades and modernization projects.
This standard provides guidelines for hydraulic elevators, moving walks, private residence elevators, and other specialized conveyances, offering an expanded compliance framework for existing equipment not fully covered under newer new-install codes.
Third-Party Elevator Inspection Pilot Program Extended
The NYC Department of Buildings has extended the Third-Party Elevator Inspection Pilot Program through December 31, 2026.
This program allows approved elevator agencies to perform acceptance tests for new installations, alterations, and modernization work, with a required witnessing agency present (independent from the performing agency). A licensed Director, Co-Director, or Elevator Inspector from the witnessing agency must be on-site during testing.
In this newly published VDA blog, Ron Welts, District Manager, examines how elevator reliability quietly but significantly shapes the guest experience in hospitality environments. As aging equipment becomes more common across the industry, elevators are increasingly a point of operational and reputational risk.
The article explores the consequences of deferred planning, reactive maintenance, and misunderstood service contracts, highlighting why elevators should be treated as critical guest touchpoints rather than background infrastructure.
Discover how proactive oversight, informed capital planning, and independent evaluation can help hotel owners reduce risk, control costs, and protect the guest experience.
VDA’s latest Global Insights article highlights how elevator design is becoming a critical factor in building performance and long-term adaptability, drawing on perspectives from our experts across global markets.
From flexibility and sustainability to cultural considerations and user experience, vertical transportation now plays a central role in how buildings function and evolve over time.
The discussion reinforces VDA’s ability to deliver forward-thinking design solutions that support complex projects across regions and changing market demands.
Learn how global insights are shaping the future of building design.
In a recent feature for Elevator World, VDA Senior Vice President Theresa Tsamoutalis explores the steady transformation reshaping elevator inspections. From evolving safety expectations to smarter, more data-driven processes, she highlights how the industry is advancing toward a stronger, more proactive compliance model.
Read the article to see how this quiet revolution is redefining inspection standards nationwide.
VDA Lunch & Learn
Our Lunch & Learn sessions bring VDA’s elevator and escalator experts directly to your team, in person or virtually, for engaging, educational discussions on topics like design best practices, modernization planning, maintenance strategies, and why you might need a consultant by your side.
Whether you’re a property manager, building administrator, or any other type of business professional, these sessions are a great way to learn about the industry and gain practical insights straight from VDA’s consultants.
Interested in scheduling a session?
Learn more and register your team for an upcoming Lunch & Learn!
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