1|Page
**NEIEP EXAM PREP STUDY GUIDE 2026 – 200+
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES (NATIONAL
ELEVATOR INDUSTRY EDUCATION
PROGRAM)**
# SECTION 1: ELEVATOR SAFETY CODES & REGULATIONS (ASME
A17.1 / CSA B44) – Questions 1–20
**1.** Which code is the primary safety standard for elevators in the
United States?
A) ANSI/ASME A17.1
B) OSHA 1910.179
C) NEC 620
D) NFPA 70
**Correct Answer:** A – ANSI/ASME A17.1
**Rationale:** ASME A17.1/CSA B44 (Safety Code for Elevators and
Escalators) is the primary safety standard for elevators in the US and
Canada. It covers design, construction, installation, operation, testing,
and maintenance.
,2|Page
**2.** What is the minimum required clearance between the car roof
and the hoistway overhead structure when the car is at its highest
landing?
A) 12 inches (305 mm)
B) 24 inches (610 mm)
C) 36 inches (915 mm)
D) 48 inches (1220 mm)
**Correct Answer:** B – 24 inches (610 mm)
**Rationale:** ASME A17.1 requires a minimum overhead clearance of
24 inches (610 mm) from the top of the car roof to the hoistway
overhead structure (excluding crosshead and sheaves). Additional
clearance is required based on speed.
**3.** Which device prevents the elevator car or counterweight from
overtraveling beyond the terminal landing?
A) Buffer
B) Terminal slowing device
C) Final limit switch (normally closed, wired in series with safety chain)
D) Door restrictor
**Correct Answer:** C – Final limit switch (normally closed, wired in
series with safety chain)
,3|Page
**Rationale:** Final limit switches (terminal limiting devices) are
located in the hoistway and are mechanically actuated by the car or
counterweight. They cut power to the machine and brake independently
of the normal limit switches.
**4.** The minimum pit depth for a hydraulic elevator with a 350 fpm
(1.78 m/s) speed is typically:
A) 12 inches
B) 24 inches
C) 36 inches
D) 48 inches
**Correct Answer:** C – 36 inches
**Rationale:** ASME A17.1 requires a minimum pit depth of 36 inches
(915 mm) for hydraulic elevators (with pit access) and 48 inches for
traction elevators, depending on speed and buffer stroke.
**5.** According to ASME A17.1, the maximum allowable gap
between a hoistway door sill and car sill is:
A) ½ inch (13 mm)
B) 1¼ inches (32 mm)
C) 2 inches (51 mm)
D) 3 inches (76 mm)
, 4|Page
**Correct Answer:** B – 1¼ inches (32 mm)
**Rationale:** The maximum horizontal gap between the hoistway door
sill and car sill (clearance) is 1¼ inches (32 mm) to prevent a passenger
from becoming trapped between the car and the hoistway door.
**6.** What is the function of a car top inspection station?
A) To allow an elevator mechanic to operate the car from the car top
during maintenance
B) To provide emergency lighting
C) To control the hoistway doors
D) To reset the governor
**Correct Answer:** A – To allow an elevator mechanic to operate the
car from the car top during maintenance
**Rationale:** The car top inspection station (run box) has buttons for
up/down, a stop switch (emergency stop), and an inspection light. It
allows mechanic to move the car at reduced speed (inspection speed).
**7.** What is the minimum clearance between the car floor and the pit
floor when the car is on its fully compressed buffers?
A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
**NEIEP EXAM PREP STUDY GUIDE 2026 – 200+
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES (NATIONAL
ELEVATOR INDUSTRY EDUCATION
PROGRAM)**
# SECTION 1: ELEVATOR SAFETY CODES & REGULATIONS (ASME
A17.1 / CSA B44) – Questions 1–20
**1.** Which code is the primary safety standard for elevators in the
United States?
A) ANSI/ASME A17.1
B) OSHA 1910.179
C) NEC 620
D) NFPA 70
**Correct Answer:** A – ANSI/ASME A17.1
**Rationale:** ASME A17.1/CSA B44 (Safety Code for Elevators and
Escalators) is the primary safety standard for elevators in the US and
Canada. It covers design, construction, installation, operation, testing,
and maintenance.
,2|Page
**2.** What is the minimum required clearance between the car roof
and the hoistway overhead structure when the car is at its highest
landing?
A) 12 inches (305 mm)
B) 24 inches (610 mm)
C) 36 inches (915 mm)
D) 48 inches (1220 mm)
**Correct Answer:** B – 24 inches (610 mm)
**Rationale:** ASME A17.1 requires a minimum overhead clearance of
24 inches (610 mm) from the top of the car roof to the hoistway
overhead structure (excluding crosshead and sheaves). Additional
clearance is required based on speed.
**3.** Which device prevents the elevator car or counterweight from
overtraveling beyond the terminal landing?
A) Buffer
B) Terminal slowing device
C) Final limit switch (normally closed, wired in series with safety chain)
D) Door restrictor
**Correct Answer:** C – Final limit switch (normally closed, wired in
series with safety chain)
,3|Page
**Rationale:** Final limit switches (terminal limiting devices) are
located in the hoistway and are mechanically actuated by the car or
counterweight. They cut power to the machine and brake independently
of the normal limit switches.
**4.** The minimum pit depth for a hydraulic elevator with a 350 fpm
(1.78 m/s) speed is typically:
A) 12 inches
B) 24 inches
C) 36 inches
D) 48 inches
**Correct Answer:** C – 36 inches
**Rationale:** ASME A17.1 requires a minimum pit depth of 36 inches
(915 mm) for hydraulic elevators (with pit access) and 48 inches for
traction elevators, depending on speed and buffer stroke.
**5.** According to ASME A17.1, the maximum allowable gap
between a hoistway door sill and car sill is:
A) ½ inch (13 mm)
B) 1¼ inches (32 mm)
C) 2 inches (51 mm)
D) 3 inches (76 mm)
, 4|Page
**Correct Answer:** B – 1¼ inches (32 mm)
**Rationale:** The maximum horizontal gap between the hoistway door
sill and car sill (clearance) is 1¼ inches (32 mm) to prevent a passenger
from becoming trapped between the car and the hoistway door.
**6.** What is the function of a car top inspection station?
A) To allow an elevator mechanic to operate the car from the car top
during maintenance
B) To provide emergency lighting
C) To control the hoistway doors
D) To reset the governor
**Correct Answer:** A – To allow an elevator mechanic to operate the
car from the car top during maintenance
**Rationale:** The car top inspection station (run box) has buttons for
up/down, a stop switch (emergency stop), and an inspection light. It
allows mechanic to move the car at reduced speed (inspection speed).
**7.** What is the minimum clearance between the car floor and the pit
floor when the car is on its fully compressed buffers?
A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
