MI Elevator Mechanic study plan

Map the structure of ASME A17.1/CSA B44 into its Parts and note which Parts govern electric elevators, hydraulic elevators, escalators, and existing installations

Locate and read the general requirements covering clearance, runby, and top/bottom refuge space for electric elevators

Build a personal index of the 40 most commonly enforced A17.1 clauses and record the section number beside each topic

Practice answering code-lookup questions by finding the exact section number in under 90 seconds

Distinguish the requirements for machine-room, machine-room-less, and overhead machinery space arrangements

Read and summarize the pit, pit ladder, lighting, and access requirements for both electric and hydraulic units

Compare the escalator and moving-walk article requirements against elevator requirements to isolate what differs

Work 60 mixed code questions and write the cited section number next to every missed item

Solve series, parallel, and combination circuit problems for voltage, current, resistance, and power without a reference sheet

Trace a three-wire control circuit and a reversing starter schematic, identifying every contact and interlock

Explain the operating principle and failure modes of AC and DC hoist motors, including regenerative and dynamic braking

Identify the parts of a traction machine, sheave, deflector sheave, and gearless vs. geared drive from a written description

Calculate roping ratios and the relationship between car speed, sheave diameter, and motor RPM

Compare 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 roping arrangements for car speed, load, and rope travel

Compute rope tension, factor of safety, and the effect of rope count on a given rated load

Describe counterweight sizing and balance and calculate the counterweight needed for a stated car weight and capacity

Explain governor rope, compensation rope, and tie-down arrangements and what each does

Identify wear and rejection criteria for ropes, sheaves, and guide shoes

Describe how a governor trips and how the safety mechanism grips the guide rail, including setting speeds and clearances

Explain the difference between instantaneous, gradual, and Type A/B safeties and when each applies

Trace the sequence of events for an ascending-car overspeed and a descending-car overspeed

Identify the components of a hydraulic system: power unit, valve, jack, cylinder, and piping, and explain the function of each

Explain the operation of the check valve, relief valve, lowering valve, and rupture/burst valve and the failure each protects against

Describe plunger, packing, and cylinder inspection points and common leakage causes

Calculate hydraulic system pressure from load and plunger area and convert between psi and feet of head

Explain the effects of oil temperature and viscosity on hydraulic ride quality and leveling

List the required periodic inspections and tests for electric and hydraulic elevators and the interval for each

Describe the procedure and acceptance criteria for the annual safety test, including governor trip and safety setting

Explain rated load, no-load, and full-speed test conditions and how to document results

Identify what a maintenance record must contain and how to write a defensible inspection finding

Outline Michigan's elevator licensing framework: who must hold a license, the license classes, and renewal requirements

Identify the Michigan rules governing inspections, permits, and reporting obligations for elevator contractors and owners

State the Michigan-specific adoption of A17.1 and how it differs from the national edition

List OSHA construction and general-industry requirements that apply to elevator work, including fall protection, lockout/tagout, and confined-space entry into pits

Describe safe rigging practice: sling angles, load ratings, inspection of rigging hardware, and hoisting a machine or controller

Identify the hazards of pit and hoistway work and the controls for each

Take two full-length timed practice exams and record the score by domain

Re-study only the two lowest-scoring domains and re-test those domains

Drill 50 code-lookup questions to rebuild speed on section finding

Review every missed question from weeks 1 through 8 and write the correct reasoning in one sentence each

Confirm exam-day logistics and assemble a one-page formula and reference sheet from memory