Illinois FAID Testing

Fire Alarm Initiating Device Testing for Non-Chicago Elevators

Illinois requires elevators outside the City of Chicago to undergo Fire Alarm Initiating Device (FAID) testing every five years. If your elevator has smoke detectors, flow switches, or other devices that trigger Firemen’s Emergency Recall, that system must be tested by a licensed fire alarm company and witnessed by a certified elevator inspector.

Chicago Elevator coordinates the entire FAID testing process for building owners and property managers across Chicago’s suburbs and Northwest Indiana, scheduling the inspector and fire life-safety provider, performing the test, and delivering the documentation your building needs to stay compliant.

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What Is FAID Testing?

FAID stands for Fire Alarm Initiating Device, this includes the smoke detectors, heat detectors, or flow switches wired to send your elevator into Firemen’s Emergency Recall. In 2022, the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) adopted ASME A17.1-2019, which added a requirement to physically test every FAID device tied to an elevator’s fire recall function, rather than simply confirming the recall sequence runs.

A FAID test is more rigorous than the annual fire recall test your elevator already undergoes: an elevator inspector witnesses the test, and a licensed life-safety provider activates each individual device to confirm it correctly triggers recall.

Who Needs FAID Testing?

FAID testing requirements differ by elevator type and location. Here’s how the Illinois mandate applies:

Hydraulic Elevators (Outside Chicago)

Firefighters’ automatic recall devices must be tested, witnessed by an elevator inspector, and fully functional. Retested every 5 years.

Traction Elevators (Outside Chicago)

FAID testing is completed at the elevator’s next Category 5 (CAT 5) test. Retested every 5 years thereafter.

City of Chicago Elevators

Exempt. The FAID mandate applies only to elevators outside the City of Chicago.

Since Chicago Elevator serves both the City of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs and Northwest Indiana, we help every client understand whether FAID testing applies to their specific building, and build it into their existing maintenance and inspection schedule, so it’s never a surprise.

The 5-Year FAID Testing Cycle

The initial compliance window has closed; hydraulic elevators were required to complete testing by December 31, 2024 and traction elevators at their first CAT 5 test after January 1, 2024. FAID testing is now an ongoing requirement: every non-Chicago elevator with fire recall devices must be retested every 5 years following its initial test.

Chicago Elevator tracks each client’s FAID testing date, alongside their annual CAT 1 and CAT 5 inspections, so retesting happens on schedule without an extra call from your team.

How Chicago Elevator Handles Your FAID Test

We confirm whether your building’s elevators fall under the FAID mandate and flag any that are overdue
We coordinate scheduling between the elevator inspector and your fire/life-safety provider; you make one call, not three
Our technicians identify and correct recall or device issues in advance, so the test doesn’t fail on inspection day
We provide complete testing documentation for your compliance records and future inspections
We fold FAID retesting into your standard 5-year cycle, alongside CAT 1 and CAT 5 testing

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Why Choose Chicago Elevator

Elevator compliance work is only as good as the contractor coordinating it. Chicago Elevator brings decades of Chicago-area experience and strong working relationships with inspectors and testing authorities to every FAID test.

Union-trained, certified elevator mechanics
Decades of experience serving Chicago, its suburbs, and Northwest Indiana
Established relationships with elevator inspectors and fire life-safety providers
Transparent scheduling and pricing; no surprise line items
Independently owned, non-proprietary equipment expertise across all elevator makes

Frequently Asked Questions About FAID Testing

What is FAID testing?

FAID testing verifies that a building’s Fire Alarm Initiating Devices, like the smoke detectors, heat detectors, or flow switches that trigger an elevator’s Firemen’s Emergency Recall, are working correctly. A licensed fire alarm company performs the test, and a certified elevator inspector witnesses it.

Is FAID testing required in the City of Chicago?

No, the Illinois FAID testing mandate applies only to elevators outside the City of Chicago. Chicago’s elevators are exempt from this specific requirement.

How often is FAID testing required in Illinois?

FAID testing is required every 5 years for non-Chicago elevators equipped with fire recall devices. Initial testing deadlines were December 31, 2024 for hydraulic elevators and each traction elevator’s first CAT 5 test after January 1, 2024; retesting now follows a recurring 5-year cycle.

What’s the difference between FAID testing and the annual fire recall test?

The annual fire recall test, witnessed by an elevator inspector, confirms that the recall sequence runs. FAID testing goes further; it tests every individual initiating device and is also overseen by a licensed fire/life-safety provider, not just the elevator inspector.

Who oversees FAID testing requirements in Illinois?

The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), through its Elevator Safety Review Board, adopted the FAID testing requirement as part of ASME A17.1-2019. Testing itself is performed by a licensed fire alarm company and witnessed by a certified elevator inspector.

How much does FAID testing cost?

Costs typically include an hourly rate from the elevator inspector and the fire/life-safety provider, in addition to your elevator contractor’s coordination and any device repairs identified during testing. Chicago Elevator provides transparent pricing before scheduling your test.

Ready to schedule your Illinois FAID test?

Chicago Elevator coordinates every step, from inspector to fire company to documentation, so your building stays compliant without the runaround.

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Call (773) 645-7476