Why label colors are more than stickers
Elevator label colors summarize the result of the annual periodic inspection. They are visible because users and building managers need to understand the elevator's safety status quickly. A label is not a decorative sticker and it is not a bureaucratic formality. It is a safety signal for a system that carries people every day.
The red label creates the most concern, and rightly so. When residents see a red label, they ask whether the elevator can be used, who is responsible and how quickly the problem will be fixed. Yellow, blue and green labels also create questions. The right response is always the same: read the report, identify the safety impact, work with the maintenance company and keep a written record of the corrective plan.
In Bursa's busy residential sites, apartment blocks and commercial buildings, label management is especially important. A door issue, brake problem or repeated leveling fault can affect many users in a short time. The label helps management treat those risks with the seriousness they deserve.
How the label is issued
The label is issued after the periodic elevator inspection under Turkey's Elevator Periodic Control Regulation (Asansör Periyodik Kontrol Yönetmeliği). This inspection is not the same as routine maintenance. An authorized Type A inspection body (A tipi muayene kuruluşu) checks the elevator against safety criteria and prepares a report. The result is summarized with a colored label placed on the elevator.
The maintenance company supports the process technically. Before the inspection, it may review the elevator's general condition and warn management about visible issues. After the inspection, it helps evaluate the report and prepare the corrective work plan. For a fuller view of the process, see our periodic elevator inspection guide.
The label color should never be read without the report. The color tells you the general status, but the report explains the actual technical items. Management needs that detail to decide whether the issue is a quick correction, a part replacement or a broader modernization need.
Red label: a serious safety warning
A red elevator label means there are serious nonconformities that prevent safe use. It should not be ignored and it should not be explained away by saying the elevator still moves. Movement does not prove safety. A red label means the elevator is classified as unsafe and must be taken out of service until the issues are corrected; management, the maintenance company and, where necessary, condominium owners (kat malikleri) should quickly agree on a clear action plan.
The reason can vary. Door locks, brake systems, overspeed governor components, pit conditions, safety circuits, electrical protection, emergency communication or cabin leveling can all be involved. The correct first step is to study the inspection report, not to guess.
If the report indicates a risk that affects user safety, management should act quickly. Some red-label items may be resolved with targeted repair and adjustment. Others may reveal that the elevator is outdated and needs elevator modernization. The decision should be based on the report, the elevator's age, usage intensity and the technical assessment of the maintenance company.
Yellow and blue labels: do not postpone the follow-up
Yellow and blue labels generally point to nonconformities that must be corrected and followed. They may not carry the same immediate meaning as a red label, but they are not harmless. A common management mistake is to postpone action because the elevator continues to operate.
Small-looking items can still affect safety and user confidence. Missing warning signs, unreliable emergency lighting, door alignment problems, communication issues, machine-room organization or cabin equipment faults should be handled on time. If they are ignored, they may grow into larger problems or appear again in the next inspection.
The healthiest method is to review each item with the maintenance company. Which items can be corrected immediately? Which require ordered parts? Which suggest that a more comprehensive plan is needed? When regular elevator maintenance is documented properly, this follow-up becomes much easier.
Green label: suitable on the inspection date
A green label is a positive result. It means the elevator was found suitable at the time of the periodic inspection. However, it does not mean the elevator can be left without maintenance until the next inspection. An elevator is a moving system. Doors open and close hundreds of times, safety circuits remain active, and mechanical parts continue to wear.
Even with a green label, management should keep routine maintenance, track user complaints and store service records. In buildings with heavy traffic, the green label is a snapshot of a specific date. Maintenance is what keeps that snapshot from becoming outdated.
Managers may share the green label result with residents as a confidence-building update. But it should never be used to remove the maintenance budget or delay needed adjustments.
Who pays the label and corrective costs?
Payment questions are common. Elevator inspection, label follow-up, maintenance and corrective work are usually handled through the building management budget, but the exact allocation depends on the management plan, service charge structure and legal relationship between owners and tenants. Routine operation and major modernization should not be mixed together.
For a practical explanation of this distinction, read our guide on who pays elevator maintenance fees. From a safety perspective, cost allocation should not delay urgent corrective work. If the report shows a serious safety deficiency, the building must first create a safe technical plan, then handle the financial distribution through the proper management process.
A simple checklist for managers
Label management becomes easier when the process is written down. Building managers can use the following routine:
- Review the inspection report item by item, not only by label color.
- Review each nonconformity with the maintenance company.
- Prioritize issues that directly affect passenger safety.
- Ask for written quotations and technical explanations.
- Inform residents clearly, without creating panic.
- Record completed work with dates and documents, and do not skip the required follow-up inspection.
Oluşum Asansör helps apartment and site managers in Bursa interpret inspection reports, plan maintenance and decide whether repair or modernization is the right route. If your elevator has received a red, yellow, blue or green label and you are unsure what to do next, contact us. We can review the report and define practical safety-focused steps.