Lifts and elevators are essential structures for large buildings that speed up movement in communication. A well-structured elevator system ensures that the most important rooms in skyscrapers, arenas, office structures and other high-rise buildings.
Still, despite their incredible functionality and efficiency, the elevator car is a common fear for many people across the world. Even with minimal elevator downtime, any elevator performance hiccups are scary. To avoid panic and guarantee the safety of all people in the building, elevator technicians perform route checkups of elevator components and safety equipment.
In this guide, you will find the necessary information on lift maintenance from elevator maintenance professionals. Use these tips to learn about maintenance requirements, safety features, main components and other factors that impact an elevator’s performance.
Elevator maintenance tips
To prevent costly repairs, broken elevators, and panic among lift users, skilled service technicians usually follow a strict maintenance program. Most elevator companies provide comprehensive information about their lifts and how to keep them in top condition.
First of all, all lifts should follow a scheduled maintenance program. These elevator inspections look at all possible problems, from burned out lights to critical damages to its main components. A properly maintained lift has a team of elevator service technicians that do not leave any issues unnoticed. Later we will take a closer look at the thought process behind a common elevator maintenance plan.
Because being in an elevator is a stressful, scary, and claustrophobic experience for millions of people across the world, preventive maintenance plans go the extra mile to ensure safety and abide by local regulations. This includes keeping the elevator car sanitary, as well as thorough cleaning of all components. While accidents in well-maintained lifts are rare if the user is ever trapped in the car during elevator downtime, a clean and hygienic environment instils more confidence, helping the people inside to stay calm.
Last, but not least, a building that depends on elevator systems has to have trained personnel overseeing processes in the machine room. While bigger repairs and inspections are left for elevator maintenance technicians, most structures need to have trained security on payroll to ensure basic elevator safety and continuity of routine maintenance procedures. This way, elevator contractors are always ready to provide help and start preventive maintenance actions once the danger subsides.
The main components of an elevator system
An elevator system consists of core components that let the machine function properly maintained electrical equipment, but also has systems when danger occurs. Residential elevators have to be equipped with an emergency phone that can be used to call elevator operators or a local fire department. Here are the main parts of an elevator system.
Elevator machine room
The elevator machine room is the main hub for elevator operators. It is the area where electrical wiring components, door operation controls, and other safety equipment can be found. Here elevator technicians can control other parts of the system to keep the environment secure while performing necessary repairs.
Elevator shaft
An elevator shaft is a long vertical rail to which the car frame gets attached. Predictive maintenance procedures perform required inspections of the shaft, during which the surface is cleaned to ensure its longevity. It is made from tough materials, as its sturdiness ensures the safe ascension of the elevator car.
Elevator Doors
Lift doors open and close either due to the user’s requests, or when the destination floor is reached. While it may seem like a simple component at first glance, skilled technicians that manage elevator maintenance perform rigorous electrical equipment tests to ensure that the door does not crush anyone, leaves a big enough delay for people to come in, and does not open until it reaches the desired floor.
Guide rails
Guide rails are complementary parts for the elevator shaft, guaranteeing safe elevator car movement. Their proper functionality is essential for instances where the lift is traveling large distances with a load that is near the weight limit. Cleaning and lubricating guide rails prevent shaking and wear-down of other parts.
Control panel
The control panel is located inside the elevator car. It allows the user to choose the desired floor, open or close doors faster if the passenger is in a hurry, or use an emergency phone to ask for assistance. Control panels have to be well-maintained at all costs. If they fail to work, operators may not notice elevator malfunction for hours, keeping the passengers inside in real danger.
Elevator car
While the elevator car is only a part of the entire system, it is the space the passengers are familiar with the most. Inside, users find information on recommended time limits, knowledge about the designated repair company, and knowledge on most recent maintenance tests.
When should to perform lift maintenance procedures
To build the best regular maintenance intervals for modern elevator systems, you can compare these machines with other heavy-duty equipment. A lift operates in a safe environment with safe building regulations, and a lack of delicate components makes frequent repairs unnecessary.
Elevator maintenance checklists
To prevent elevator breakdowns, lift technicians follow proper maintenance checklists that structure a plan for both regular servicing and the need for sudden repairs.
Routine regular inspections
Routine inspections focus on identifying the gradual failure of main components and combining a comprehensive report on their state. Depending on the usage of the elevator, the frequency of lift maintenance procedures can range from a month to half a year. For office spaces and residential elevators, it is better to keep these intervals shorter to minimise any safety risks.
Annual elevator servicing
An elevator mechanic that is responsible for performing elevator maintenance focuses reaches out to certified professionals to ensure regulatory compliance with local regulations. These procedures get a general overview of an elevator, warn about any needs for major repair, and ensure approval from a qualified certification company.
Preventive maintenance tasks
Preventive maintenance procedures help operators avoid high elevator repair costs by creating optimal conditions for the machine’s functionality. These tasks focus on the lubrication of moving components to minimise wear and tear, plus ensure smooth movement.
Broken elevator repairs
When a passenger or other employees warn the machine room about the damage to major elevator parts. In such cases, a team of elevator maintenance professionals is deployed to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.
Elevator maintenance logs
The documentation on elevator maintenance provides necessary information for a future elevator maintenance inspection. By knowing which parts are breaking down faster for specific elevator cars, operators can buy new parts and make changes to improve elevator performance and longevity.
Summary
By managing elevator maintenance with detailed servicing plans, building administrators minimise their downtime and improve their efficient performance. Most importantly, these procedures aim to keep passengers safe, even in the an event of an elevator breakdown. Make sure to follow the tips above to keep your elevator system in optimal condition.
