elevator consulting

Three Things Buildings Can do to Save Elevator Cost Immediately

In today’s tumultuous and fast-paced times, the cliché “doing more with less” has never rung so true. We all wear multiple hats with less staff, more responsibilities, procedural changes, and the pressure to work within a budget. One significant cost-saving measure is to optimize the performance and reliability of the elevators and escalators in your buildings.

What are 3 Things Buildings Can Do to Save Elevator Costs Quickly?

By doing this, you will not only be able to keep costs low, but you will also avoid unanticipated costs. Protecting these assets will enable you to better weather the lean times. Consider the following tips:

Make preventive maintenance a priority.

The trend in the elevator industry is to receive a callback or break-fix maintenance. The key to keeping an elevator running to its optimal life cycle is taking care of the equipment. Too often we see equipment needing modernization prematurely due to lack of maintenance. There are also costly repairs occurring as a result of routine maintenance not being completed. If you are getting preventative maintenance, you will not have unnecessary costs. If you are being charged for services and not receiving services, an elevator consultant can help with this. Maintenance consulting is a core service of most elevator consultants. Implementing elevator maintenance software will eliminate missed maintenance and notify you of all services received. 

Know your elevator service contract.

This contract tells you everything that is covered; however, it is usually written in a way that is too technical for a layperson to understand. It is very common to be charged for items that should have been covered in your elevator service contract. Inputting the contract service levels, and terms and conditions to an elevator maintenance software is extremely helpful in automating this difficult task. It is the building’s responsibility to keep the elevator maintenance records readily available. Elevator monitoring in all aspects is needed. The records of your equipment are critical especially to know the history of the work.

Keep detailed records of elevator maintenance and service.

There is no better way to know if your equipment is receiving preventative maintenance and if the elevator companies are following the service contract than to keep records. There is elevator maintenance software that can automate the recordkeeping for buildings and report out the updated records in an instant. These records give critical benefits to the building. The building can determine if their contract is being fulfilled, if they are overpaying for service, or if they are receiving service at all. Is the building owe money? The building records are owned by the building, which is not the case if you use an outside party. The building’s data is based on the building’s process and procedures. 

These few steps allow the building to have control of its elevators and escalators. The unknown becomes known, thereby reducing unnecessary repairs, costs, and downtime—all of which allow the building personnel to do what they do best. So, it might be time to take a fresh look at your building’s elevators and escalator maintenance and service contracts and verify if you are getting what you paid for. Working with an elevator consultant and implementing elevator maintenance software can make this process even easier. You may be surprised at the thousands and sometimes millions that are recovered for our clients.

Elevator Consultants Release Playbook for Operational Efficiency

CHICAGO—December 13, 2019—The Elevator Consultants has created a playbook offering step-by-step guidance for building owners and property managers. It assists in managing their elevators, escalators, and other vertical transportation equipment. The Elevator Playbook is packed with information and everything you always wanted to know. It also covers things you should know about your vertical transportation.
When elevators go down, it can create anything from inconvenience to outright havoc. This affects the people who occupy, visit, own, or manage the building. The people most affected by elevator operational downtime often have limited insight. This is because this equipment is highly specialized and mechanically complex.

The Elevator Consultants aims to change that by empowering buildings with the information they need. This assists in keeping their elevators running smoothly and efficiently. The Elevator Playbook was created from decades of specialized vertical transportation experience. It contains vital information.

What Vital Information Does Elevator Playbook Contain?

  • How to analyze your service records for actionable information, and the importance of keeping your record of maintenance.
  • How to understand service contracts and the key terms and conditions you need to protect the building, tenants, and ownership
  • How to determine if your elevator performance is within industry standards and methodologies to track performance including usage, downtimes, entrapments, and other issues.
  • How to stay on top of code requirements which is crucial for elevator safety and avoiding costly noncompliance fees.
  • How to know your equipment and get some working knowledge of your equipment so you can make the best decisions for it.
Elevator consultant playbook

The Elevator Playbook breaks down the complexities of vertical transportation management. This helps building owners and property managers be on a more level playing field regarding vertical transportation. By providing information and industry knowledge, the playbook helps users. It includes trends, research, emerging technology, and more. The Elevator Consultants gives building personnel the confidence to make decisions. It alleviates concerns about day-to-day vertical transportation operations.
Why worry about your elevators when you can get to know them? Visit theelevatorconsultant.com to request a copy of The Elevator Playbook. You can also find more information on how The Elevator Consultants can help you with your elevator management needs.

Three Key Strategies Buildings with Elevators Want To Adopt

The Elevator Consultants has offered up strategic best practices for owners with elevators in their buildings. This is in response to several elevator and escalator-related incidents nationwide.

Some elevator best strategic practices

Following incidents such as Chicago’s Hancock Building elevator plunging 84 floors in November 2018, a Texas hospital employee being seriously injured in an elevator accident, and the housekeeper who was trapped for three days in a Manhattan elevator, The Elevator Consultants offers three key strategies. These strategies help building owners ensure elevator maintenance and safety.

Reevaluate Your Elevator Service Contract

You may be shocked to learn just how often buildings are being charged for services they are not receiving. This includes premature modernizations, parts not available, unnecessary repairs, and redundant service calls and break/fix maintenance.
The lesson learned here is that regular inspections are not enough. They do not ensure your equipment is maintained to industry standards. Building owners and managers have to actually enforce their service contracts and ensure necessary maintenance is being done.

Include KPIs and Accountability Measures in Your Elevator Contract

Buildings implement a number of policies and SOPs to dictate their use. This includes owners’ rules and regulations, insurance requirements, and building safety regulations. It is relatively easy to include elevator service provider requirements in these policies.
The building should also instate an elevator service contract. This contract should include terms and conditions that align with the building and its operational needs. That contract should have key performance indicators and service level agreement terms. These hold the elevator service provider accountable for errors and gaps in service.

Keep Detailed Records

Buildings can monitor service providers manually. But why do this when the advancements in technology have made it so much easier? Technologies like ElevatorApp, our elevator monitoring software, can automate the process of identifying and resolving issues with much more efficiency than manual methods. Moreover, the building owner then owns the data. This data has detailed information about all aspects of your equipment, including a detailed onsite service and repair record and all history—even if you change service providers.
Many owners work with an elevator consultant. This ensures correct interpretation of data, fast resolution of problems, and protection of your capital assets—elevators and escalators.

Elevator Modernization & Upgrades: Three Bids, and the Viewpoint of an Elevator Consultant

“I have three bids.” This is very common for an elevator consulting firm or vertical transportation consulting firm to hear from building owners, property managers, and facility managers. This includes whether they are commercial, condominium association, developers or the like. Typically, this happens when they are completing an elevator repair, upgrade and/or modernization.

Elevator Modernization & UpgradesThis holds true for elevators, escalators, lifts, dumbwaiters, etc., and other similar projects.

In this blog post, let us unpack some of the hidden problems in the “I have three bids” idea when it comes to elevator repairs, modernization, or upgrade projects.

Building owners often feel that the bids they receive are accurate for their project. They believe an elevator contractor can be chosen based on one of these submissions. Typically, three or four elevator companies are called in to provide bids. Owners usually assume the proposals will be similar. They instructed the companies that the elevators need to be “modernized,” “repaired,” or “upgraded.”

Each company then bids on the repair, upgrade, and/or modernization. With bids in hand, the building is ready to select a vendor to complete the work. At this stage, however, many owners realize that interpreting the proposals is not their domain. Consequently, they often turn to an elevator consulting firm for expert guidance.

Why This Might Not Be Ideal for Your Elevator Modernization, Repair, or Upgrade

This is a very common process-building experience. Unfortunately, it does a disservice to the building and all parties with fiduciary responsibility to the project. Elevator companies that bid on the project may submit proposals. These often appear similar in some areas yet differ greatly in others. This can expose the building to change orders and code violations. An elevator consulting firm adds real value by getting involved early, framing the project, and ensuring it includes all necessary work.

To eliminate needless costs and reduce risk, the building should have an elevator consultant assess the equipment. They focus on repair, upgrade, or modernization. After completing the assessment and understanding the building’s needs, the consultant writes a complete scope of work. This scope typically follows the International Building Code and elevator industry best practices. These steps help eliminate change orders. In addition, they provide the building with the vertical transportation it requires within budget.

A few simple steps like these are critical to a successful elevator, escalator, lift repair, upgrade, and/or modernization project completed on time, within budget, and code compliant. If you are thinking of undertaking a major elevator repair, elevator modernization or upgrade, please reach out to us for a consultation.

The Elevator Consultants, a Leading Vertical Transportation & Elevator Consulting Firm, Post ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Responsibilities

March 31, 2018 – Chicago, Illinois. The Elevator Consultants, a leading elevator consulting and vertical transportation consulting firm, helps building owners and property managers improve elevator efficiency. They also help increase the bottom line. The firm is proud to announce an important post to its blog on ASME A17.1/CSA B44 responsibilities. It specifically addresses confusion among building owners. They may not understand that the ultimate responsibility is theirs, not the property managers.

ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Responsibilities - Who is responsible is a question better asked sooner than later. Read on to learn why.ASME stands for “American Society of Mechanical Engineers” and is the governing body for elevator safety standards.

“The worst-case scenario occurs when one party thinks the other is responsible, and no one takes the appropriate safety and compliance steps necessary as required by ASME A17.1/CSA B44,” explained Laurie Axium, marketing manager at The Elevator Consultants. “Our blog post helps sound the alarm for building owners to have a frank discussion with property managers as to the need to comply with ASME A17.1/CSA B44. As leading elevator consultants, we often provide an external voice for building owners. This ensures things are in proper order.”

To browse the post on ASME A17.1/CSA B44 issues, visit https://theelevatorconsultant.com/asme-a17-1/. To learn more about the firm’s vertical transportation consulting services, please visit the website. Interested parties are urged to reach out via the website or call 312-519-9949. This is for discussing a potential business engagement.

WHO’S RESPONSIBLE? A QUESTION ON ASME A17.1/CSA B44 ASKED BETTER SOONER THAN LATER

Major buildings and their vertical transportation assets are complex. They are not only “mission critical” to the operation and safety of a building but also challenging from a human management perspective. Building owners may mistakenly assume that the property management company handles ASME A17.1/CSA B44 compliance. Meanwhile, property management companies often concentrate on day-to-day operations and may misunderstand or overlook compliance requirements.

The phrase “My property manager handles my elevators” is common among building owners. However, that level of reliance may fall short when a regulatory agency conducts an inspection or when an incident leads to litigation.

The new post explains that the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevator and Escalator Safety Code states that this responsibility falls on the building owner.  Those involved in managing vertical transportation assets are urged to read the important new blog post. They are encouraged to reach out to a professional elevator consulting firm. This serves as an outside voice to ensure proper regulatory compliance.

ABOUT THE ELEVATOR CONSULTANTS

The Elevator Consultants is a leading elevator consulting firm. They help building owners, property managers, building engineers, facility managers, and REITs oversee and optimize their elevator and vertical transportation assets for greater efficiency. This helps increase the bottom line. Service offerings include elevator consulting services like elevator audits and elevator due diligence. They also provide elevator cost reduction and elevator management services. The firm offers elevator service monitoring software to escalator and elevator insurance claims. Additionally, they provide consulting services, elevator modernizations, and new elevator maintenance service contracts. Anyone looking for an elevator advisor, elevator expert, or elevator consulting firm is encouraged to reach out for a no-obligation consultation.

Media Relations
Web. https://theelevatorconsultant.com/

Building Owners and Elevators: The Need for an Elevator Consultant

Building owners rely on their resident “elevator expert,” usually the elevator service company for information on the health and status of their elevators. It’s akin to the situation when one brings his or her car into the proverbial car mechanic.

Need for an Elevator ConsultantSometimes it’s not clear what’s actually wrong, and sometimes you can be “taken for a ride” do to your lack of knowledge. The problem is that you – as the car owner, or the building owner – don’t have the skill and expertise needed to evaluate what’s really going on.

A Typical Conversation between Mechanic and Owner

Here’s a typical conversation:

A “building owner’s” car (a.k.a., elevator) is making an odd noise, so the building owner takes his car into a mechanic. The mechanic (a.k.a., elevator service company) takes a look, “fixes” the car, and the conversation goes something like this:

Mechanic says “I fixed it, that will be $2,000”.

Building owner pays the $2,000 and drives away. Three hours later, the noise starts up again, so the building owner goes back to the mechanic and says, ““the noise is back.”

The mechanic takes a look at the car, fixes it, and says “I fixed it, that will be $5,000.”

Building owner says, “What did you do?”

Mechanic says “The drive pulley needed tweaking”.

The building owner wonders what is a drive pulley. But the car is working without the noise, so he pays and leaves. Two days later, the building owner hears the noise again, and goes back to the mechanic.

Building owner says “The noise is back. Fix it.”
Mechanic looks at the car, fixes it, and says “I fixed it, that will be $12,000”.

Building owner says “WHAT!!??!!”
Mechanic says “Yep, I fixed it that will be $12,000.”

Building owner says “What did you do?”
Mechanic says “The drive pulley needed replacing.”

The building owner has no choice but to pay. Five days later, the noise returns, and the building owner has to bring the car back to the repair shop.

And so the cycle repeats – whether it’s cars, or whether it’s elevators. The “elevator service company” knows a lot more than the owner, and the owner can be “taken for a ride.” What happens with cars can also happen with your elevators. Building owners and management are vulnerable when it comes to elevators and other vertical transportation assets in their buildings.

Ending the Vicious Cycle

This scenario can be what happens with the elevators, escalators, lifts, etc., of the buildings. The building owner probably doesn’t know what a drive pulley is or the function of the drive pulley on his car, just as the building owner or property manager does not understand the mechanics of the elevators or escalators in their building. Building owners sell the building with these problems, and property managers move on to new buildings, leaving the existing problems. This is a vicious cycle that happens on a daily basis to buildings. This is one of the problems The Elevator Consultants solves; we end the vicious cycle.

Elevator Consulting: Hire the Experts

As experts in elevators, we can assist building owners to “not be taken for a ride” and to truly understand the status of their elevators and other vertical assets in any building – before, during, and after a sale. If you’re looking for an elevator consultant to help, reach out to us for a consultation today.

The Elevator Consultants Announces Post on Need for a Maintenance Control Program for Elevators and Vertical Transportation Assets

Chicago, Illinois – February 28, 2018. The Elevator Consultants, a leading elevator consulting and vertical transportation consulting firm, is proud to announce a new post to its blog. This post is on the issue of what a Maintenance Control Program (MCP) is. Additionally, it explains why it is necessary for building owners with respect to elevators and other vertical transportation assets.

Maintenance Control ProgramThe post explains that the code in ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevator and Escalator Safety section 8.6 requires that a maintenance control program (MCP) is present for each conveyance. A conveyance is an elevator, escalators, lift, dumbwaiter, moving walkway and the like.

“We use our blog to bring attention to some of the key issues with respect to elevators and other vertical transportation assets,” explained Laurie Kohl, manager at The Elevator Consultants. “This post goes into detail about what a Maintenance Control Program (MCP) is, and why one is required for building owners to have.”

There, one can not only read about what a Maintenance Control Program is with respect to elevators and vertical transportation assets. Interested persons can also reach out to the experts at the Elevator Consultants for a consultation on their elevator and vertical transportation needs. No two buildings or situations are entirely alike. Therefore, the best first step is a consultation and possible engagement. To read more, for example, on elevator due diligence.

Background on maintenance control programs and elevators / vertical transportation assets

Here is background on this release. The question is often asked, “Why aren’t building owners complying with ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevator and Escalator Safety section 8.6?” This is a very common problem for building owners. It is evident from failed inspections, maintenance problems, and even lawsuits or litigation. The building owner is paying for a maintenance contract to maintain the elevators, escalators, lifts, etc. They are paying, which goes hand in hand with a Maintenance Control Program (MCP). Consequently, the equipment should be compliant. However, this may not be the case. Most building owners are paying for maintenance services that they are not receiving. If the building owners enforced their required maintenance, they would be compliant with a Maintenance Control Program (MCP). This would result in safer equipment and saving unnecessary cost. The post goes into more detail on this problem and issue.

Interested persons, especially building owners, investors, and REITS (Real Estate Investment Trust) management are urged to reach out for a consultation once they are aware of this important issue.

About the elevator consultants

The Elevator Consultants is a leading elevator consulting firm helping building owners, property managers, building engineers, facility managers, and REIT’s oversee and optimize their elevator and vertical transportation assets. By doing so, they achieve greater efficiency and increase their bottom line. Service offerings include elevator consulting services like elevator audits, elevator due diligence, and even elevator cost reduction. There are also elevator management services. The firm provides elevator service monitoring software to escalator and elevator insurance claims, not to mention other consulting services. These include elevator modernizations and new elevator maintenance service contracts. Anyone looking for an elevator advisor, elevator expert, or elevator consulting firm, is encouraged to reach out for a no-obligation consultation.

Media Relations
Web. https://theelevatorconsultant.com/

A Maintenance Control Program & ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevator and Escalator Safety section 8.6

As one of the leading elevator consulting firms in the United States, we get a lot of questions from building owners, investors, and even REITS about elevators and vertical transportation assets. One of the more common is, “What is a Maintenance Control Program or MCP?”Elevator Consulting, Maintenance Control Program

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what an MCP is. We will also explain how it relates to regulatory requirements for elevators. If you’re looking for an elevator consulting firm, reach out to us for a consultation. We bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. We help building owners, managers, and even investors by analyzing what’s going on with their elevators and other vertical transportation assets.

Understanding the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Maintenance Control Program

A maintenance control program or MCP is part of the code in ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevator and Escalator Safety section 8.6. This requires that a maintenance control program (MCP) is present for each conveyance. A conveyance is an elevator, escalators, lift, dumbwaiter, moving walkway and the like.

The Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, ASME A17.1/CSA B44, states that a conveyance owner must have a Maintenance Control Program in place for their conveyance(s).

The building owners and their agents, i.e., the property managers, should be fully aware of the maintenance control program (MCP). Responsibility for ensuring that an MCP is implemented lies with the building owner, not the elevator service provider. The service provider must follow the MCP. However, the owner must ensure compliance with the code-required program.

There must also be proof of adherence. In addition, the building owner should check with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). This confirms that record-keeping, safety requirements, and maintenance practices for elevators, escalators, and lifts are being met.

Ensuring Compliance with Local Authorities

The building owner must also know which ASME A17.1/CSA B44 code year the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is following to ensure full compliance. A missing or incomplete maintenance control program (MCP) is a common inspection violation which can usually be correlated with proper maintenance not being performed on the conveyances jeopardizing the safety of individuals riding the elevators, escalators, lifts, etc. A Maintenance Control Program (MCP) is easily implemented.

Reach out to an Elevator Consultant

We at The Elevator Consultants can help you with your elevator and vertical transportation assets. As part of this process, we can assist with the requirements of a Maintenance Control Program. Reach out for a consultation with us, today.

The Elevator Consultants, a Leading Vertical Transportation Consulting & Elevator Consulting Firm, Announces Post on REITS and Investor Issues

Chicago, IL – January 29, 2018. The Elevator Consultants, a leading elevator consulting and vertical transportation consulting firm, is proud to announce a two-part series to its blog. This series covers issues that may impact REITS and investors. These parties may be purchasing buildings with elevator and/or vertical transportation issues. REITS, of course, refers to “Real Estate Investment Trusts.” As such, they may be large-scale purchasers of buildings that have vertical transportation assets.vertical transportation consultant

“The most important takeaway of our two-part series for investors is the so-called ‘buyer beware’ principle,” explained Laurie Kohl, marketing manager at The Elevator Consultants. “The blog goes over potential conflicts of interest that may be present in the process. This is especially true when the same firm that does elevator maintenance is charged with auditing the vertical transportation assets for potential costs during a sale.”

To browse the first post in the series on REITS, investors, and elevators, and to browse the second post, visit https://theelevatorconsultant.com/reits-and-investors2/. For a more general overview to elevator consulting please visit the website. Anyone who may be purchasing a property or series of properties that may be exposed to any risks associated with elevator costs is urged to contact the firm for a consultation. No two buildings, elevators, or investment projects are alike. Therefore, a consultation is the best first step towards a possible consulting engagement.

BUYER BEWARE: POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS

Here is background on this release. The basic principle of the two posts is to explain that several issues require attention. One such issue is the conflict of interest when the same party responsible for elevator maintenance also evaluates potential costs associated with vertical transportation assets. This problem can arise on either the buyer or seller side of a transaction. It can occur with both old and new construction.

Elevator and vertical transportation assets are complex systems. They must comply with regulatory safety requirements while reliably serving the people in a building. The worst-case scenario occurs when an investor purchases a building, or multiple buildings, only to discover that what appeared to be a functioning elevator actually requires substantial repairs or modernization. Regulatory risk can also arise when new or impending rules demand an unforeseen upgrade, modernization, or complete replacement.

For this reason, anyone involved in REITs or building investments should read the two posts and follow up with a consultation.

ABOUT THE ELEVATOR CONSULTANTS

The Elevator Consultants is a leading elevator consulting firm helping building owners, property managers, building engineers, facility managers, and REIT’s oversee and optimize their elevator and vertical transportation assets for greater efficiency. This leads to an increased bottom line. Service offerings include elevator consulting services like elevator audits, elevator due diligence, and elevator cost reduction and management services. The firm provides elevator service monitoring software to escalator and elevator insurance claims. Not to mention other consulting services, elevator modernizations, and new elevator maintenance service contracts. Anyone looking for an elevator advisor, elevator expert, or elevator consulting firm is encouraged to reach out for a no-obligation consultation.

Media Relations
Web. https://theelevatorconsultant.com/