Tag Archives: Elevator Modernization

How Regular Maintenance Can Prolong the Lifespan of Elevators

Elevator maintenance is essential, and it plays a key role to an elevator’s lifespan. Regular maintenance can ensure that elevators, escalators, lifts, and dumbwaiters will continue to operate safely and reliably. Regular maintenance will not only address immediate issues, it will also significantly contribute to prolonging the lifespan of the elevators. Elevator service providers will perform the maintenance; however, it is the owners of the buildings, the property managers, or the building engineers that are responsible for making sure that the service providers are showing up and conducting the appropriate maintenance needed to achieve a desirable lifespan. An elevator consultant can provide guidance to the building that will ensure that service providers are showing up and taking the right steps to maintain and protect the lifespan of each lift. Let us look at why regular maintenance is crucial and how it can help extend the lifespan of elevators.

1. Identifying and Addressing Issues Early

Regular maintenance involves thorough surveying, analyzing, and servicing of elevator components. By conducting these routine checks, maintenance professionals can identify potential issues early on. A skilled service technician will know the different elevator manufacturers, and their knowledge is impeccable – as they understand what it takes to maintain elevators. Promptly identifying and addressing minor problems can prevent an issue from escalating into major and costly repairs down the line. Additionally, early detection of maintenance issues will help to ensure the safety of elevator passengers while minimizing any downtimes. When choosing a service provider, it is important to identify a company who has prior experience with the elevators or escalators in your building.

2. Preventing Wear and Tear

Due to incessant operation, elevators endure significant wear and tear. Regular maintenance should include lubrication, adjustment, and the cleaning of various components – such as the motor, gears, cables, and door mechanisms. These maintenance tasks will help to reduce friction, optimize performance, and prevent premature wear of critical elevator parts. ASME A17. 1 / CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators has the actual code required intervals for elevator maintenance, and the elevator service technician should know what the equipment needs are, as well as what intervals are appropriate. By minimizing wear and tear, regular maintenance will ensure the smooth operation, while extending the lifespan of the elevators. Per code, buildings are required to keep and maintain consistent maintenance documents.

3. Enhancing Safety Features

Elevator safety is of paramount importance, and routine maintenance will ensure the proper functioning of crucial safety features – such as door sensors, emergency buttons, interlocks, and fire alarms. Faulty safety features can expose passengers to risks, and may lead to accidents or entrapments. Regular maintenance will ensure that these safety features are inspected, tested, and calibrated, while safeguarding their effectiveness and keeping them in compliance with all safety regulations. Elevator service technicians will know which safety mechanisms need to be maintained, and will do so according to the appropriate code requirements. There are monthly, annual, and five-year testing functions that must be performed on equipment, and additional tests may be required pending the authority having jurisdiction. The building needs to be knowledgeable in this area in order to make certain that these

tests are being completed and properly documented on a regular basis for the local authority having jurisdiction.

4. Upgrading and Modernizing Elevator Systems

Over time, technological advancements have brought about more efficient and advanced elevator systems. Replacing outdated or obsolete parts and incorporating new technologies can enhance elevator performance, improve energy efficiency, and optimize passenger experiences. Replacing some components may not only extend the lifespan of the elevators, but will add value to the buildings as well. When an elevator has reached the end of its lifespan, a building may have to modernize its equipment, which starts the whole life cycle over again. Elevators have numerous components, therefore -it may be possible to use items that have been refurbished or maintained based on the condition of the parts when it is time for modernization.

5. Complying with Regulatory Requirements

Elevator maintenance is not only about optimizing performance, but to also ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Regular maintenance helps to fulfill mandatory requirements that are imposed by regulatory authorities, and compliance will not only help a building avoid penalties, but will also ensure that its elevators are adhering to the highest safety and operational standards. This way, an authority having jurisdiction inspection will lead to the operator certification for the elevator, escalator, lift, or dumbwaiter to pass. Failed inspections are not desirable and are usually correlate with the lack of maintenance. If this happens, an elevator audit might need to be performed by an elevator consultant. A certificate of compliance is typically found in the cab of the elevator, or will available from the building manager.

Overall

Regular maintenance is an investment in the longevity and performance of elevators. By addressing issues early, preventing excessive wear and tear, enhancing safety features, upgrading components, and complying with regulations, regular maintenance will significantly prolong the lifespan of elevators. This will not only ensure the safety and satisfaction of elevator passengers, but will also minimize unexpected breakdowns, reduce repair costs, and add value to buildings. It is crucial to work with qualified elevator professionals including an elevator consultant who possess the expertise and experience needed to provide comprehensive and reliable maintenance services. Knowing the buildings equipment and aligning with the right service provider will make for a match to keep your equipment operating smoothly, while prolonging its life cycle.

Remember, with regular maintenance – elevators will continue to be a reliable and efficient mode of vertical transportation, serving occupants for years to come. If a building is uncertain about their maintenance requirements at any time, an elevator consulting firm can assist and answer any questions.

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. 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 owed 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.

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 on issues that may impact REITS and investors who may be purchasing buildings with elevator and/or vertical transportation issues. REITS, of course, refers to “Real Estate Investment Trusts,” and as such may be large-scale purchasers of buildings that have vertical transportation assets. Continue reading