The hotel industry has recently experienced its first decline in revenue per available room (RevPAR) since the post-pandemic era, as reported by Co-Star. In these challenging times, it is crucial for hotel professionals, including investors.. general managers, and asset managers, to optimize their operations and minimize costs. One area that often goes overlooked is elevator maintenance and management. Elevators are a critical component of any hotel.. and their smooth operation is essential for guest satisfaction and safety. However, many hotels struggle with issues such as unpredictable elevator service provider visits, lack of oversight, and unexpected costs. There are five strategies that hotels can implement to minimize elevator costs and ensure flawless operation.
Strategy 1: Implement a Preventive Maintenance Program
One of the most effective ways to minimize elevator costs is to implement a preventive maintenance program. It is common for hotels to believe they have a program in place because they have a maintenance service agreement with an elevator service provider. This is an unfortunate misconception since this not the case. The hotel should make sure the elevator service provider is scheduled for regular maintenance visits.. to identify and address potential issues before they escalate into more significant problems. By catching issues early, hotels can avoid costly repairs and downtime.
A preventive maintenance program should include tasks such as cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment of elevator components. It is a common fallacy that hotels work with their service provider to develop a comprehensive preventive maintenance program that is tailored to the hotel’s specific needs. Implementing an elevator maintenance service program takes technology to capture all the items needed for a successful program. An effective elevator preventative maintenance program will assist in the lifecycle of the elevator system.
Strategy 2: Establish a Clear Communication Channel with Elevator Service Providers
One of the most common issues hotels face with elevator maintenance is the lack of communication from the elevator service providers. It is common for the elevator service provider to show up for a callback or for general preventative maintenance at the convenience for the elevator service provider. To address this, hotels should establish a way to know when the service provider arrives. This can be achieved by designating a specific point of contact within the hotel. That is responsible for coordinating with the service provider and/or providing the service provider software to log their service.
The software should maintain a schedule of planned maintenance visits and ensure that the service provider arrives on time and the location is notified of the services. Additionally, a record of all communication with the service provider, including any issues reported and the actions taken to resolve them should be recorded. It is the hotels responsibility to keep records of maintenance which is called a maintenance control program (MCP).
Strategy 3: Clear Elevator Service Contracts
Another common issue hotels face is the lack of clarity regarding what is covered in their elevator service contracts. Therefore, to avoid unexpected costs, hotels should have a contract that has terms and conditions that are clear to the hotel. Also, the elevator service provider contracts can be difficult to decipher and understand what is covered and what is not covered. Hotels should ensure that the contract includes all necessary maintenance and repair services to minimize or eliminate unnecessary costs.
If there are any ambiguities or gaps in the contract, hotels should seek clarification from an elevator consultant. A maintenance control plan software can track the contract to eliminate the unknowns.
Strategy 4: Train Hotel Staff on the importance of Elevator Maintenance
Another way hotels can minimize elevator costs is by training their staff on common elevator maintenance protocols. This involves educating staff on how to properly know and document elevator issues. For instance, do not block elevator doors to keep them open for hotel services, keep elevator sills clean, take pictures, or record with phone elevator issues and noises. Hotel staff should also report all elevator concerns to management, log in to the software, and inform management when the elevator company is onsite. By empowering hotel staff to take an active role in elevator maintenance, hotels can catch issues early and avoid costly repairs.
Strategy 5: Implement a System for Tracking Elevator Maintenance and Costs
Finally, hotels should implement a system for tracking elevator maintenance and costs. This involves keeping detailed records of all maintenance visits, repairs, callbacks, and associated costs electronically and automatically without involving hotel personnel. Hotels should also track key performance indicators, such as elevator uptime and response time to service requests. By tracking these metrics, hotels can identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions about their elevator management strategy. Additionally, by keeping accurate records of elevator costs, hotels can budget more effectively and avoid unexpected expenses. Nowadays, this can all be done electronically with the ElevatorApp.
Elevators are a critical component of any hotel, and their smooth operation is essential for guest satisfaction, positive reviews, and safety. By implementing these five strategies, hotels can minimize elevator costs and ensure flawless operation. In establishing and implementing electronic or manual means, clear communication channels with service providers can be achieved.
However, hotels regularly review and update contracts, implement a preventive maintenance program, and train staff on elevator safety and maintenance.. And track elevator costs and performance, hotels can optimize their elevator management strategy and avoid costly issues. In these challenging times for the hotel industry. It is more important than ever to find ways to minimize costs and improve operational efficiency. By prioritizing elevator management, hotels can not only save money but also provide a better experience for their guests.
Read more related articles:
- WHAT IS ELEVATOR MANAGEMENT SERVICES
- COMMON ELEVATOR PROBLEMS AND HOW TO ADDRESS THEM
- WHY YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN ELEVATOR EXPERT BEFORE REPAIRS
Frequent elevator failures can often be attributed to several factors:
Wear and Tear
Elevators are mechanical systems subject to wear and tear from daily use. Parts like cables, pulleys, and brakes can degrade over time. Life just happens, and the elevator becomes old and worn out.
Poor Maintenance
Inadequate or infrequent maintenance can lead to premature system failures. Regular maintenance can identify and rectify minor issues before they become significant problems.
Aging Technology
Older elevators may not operate as efficiently as newer models, requiring more frequent repairs or total system overhauls. As newer technology evolves and parts need replacing, it may become difficult to make parts work together.
Inconsistent Use
Elevators in buildings with high traffic volumes or irregular use may experience more breakdowns due to the erratic strain on their systems. Elevators need to be used for what they are installed for. It is common to see elevators overloaded or designed for people moving criteria that change as the building’s use changes.
Design Flaws and Installation Errors
Sometimes, the initial design and installation may contribute to ongoing operational challenges. For example, some elevators have been designed badly, resulting in a shorter life cycle.
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