Tag: Long Island Elevator Company

Top 6 Tips for Commercial Elevator Maintenance

The elevator industry regulators take health and safety extremely serious and explains why commercial elevators are undoubtedly the one of the safest forms of mechanical transportation. Owners should keep a schedule for maintenance and plan on elevator maintenance servicing to maintain safety standards, extend the life of elevators, and reduce commercial elevator downtime.

Our company elevator Installers on routine maintenance. — Elevator contractors facilitate routine maintenance for passenger safety

Always Keep Up with National Elevator Regulations

Elevator rules and regulations are constantly evolving to improve the commercial elevator industry and its help owners to focus on safe maintenance practices. The strict code enforcement and effective commercial elevator guidelines allow facilities managers to maintain safe commercial elevator systems across the nation, adhering to not only current protocol, but also new and developing standards. New government legislation continually increases commercial elevator safety for passengers and employees.

Commercial elevators installed after the year (2001) require features such as improved strength and durability of elevator car walls, roofs, and doors plus higher requirements for fire resistance material of car interiors and mandatory elevator control panels including a “Stop” button in the lower pit. New commercial standards will further uphold the elevator and its reputation for excellent safety practice and regulations.

Repair Company Elevator Installers — Regular maintenance on elevators and equipment can keep your business running smoothly

Be Proactive with Commercial Elevator Repairs and Upgrades

One of the main goals of elevator repairs is to provide a facilities manager with a commercial system they can rely on. The commercial elevator service and consumer safety should be priority number on. As with nearly every aspect of facilities management, one of the most important actions to take in keeping elevators in prime condition is to inspect them regularly. Not many owners realize that elevator maintenance is mandatory for their building; in addition to an inspector reviewing an elevator system once every six months so the owners are covered by law.

Recommended practice is to have a elevator system serviced every month. Neglected elevators can result in long delays while waiting for repairs, lead to premature aging, create huge financial expense and, worse still, become a danger to both passengers and service personnel.

Planning Routine Commercial Elevator Maintenance

Facilities managers should always have a planned preventative maintenance schedule in place with their chosen elevator service provider. This takes into account issues such as elevator-system peak times, impossible dates for servicing and so on. A mobilization plan should also be crafted to cover any risk assessments, method statements and health and safety procedures in relation to elevator maintenance.

The age of a elevator system and size of the building are both factors that need to be taken into consideration when planning maintenance, as older systems with more floors to cover may require a more thorough service, which will take more time. Also, the amount of usage an elevator endures may mean the system wears faster, so there will need to be a discussion about the level of predicted elevator use with the service provider. It is important that a facilities manager is able to rely on the elevator service provider and trust it implicitly. A strong partnership should be made during the planning stage to ensure the contractor will deliver excellent ongoing service and support.

Commercial & Residential Elevator Modernization

Technological advancements in the elevator industry are vastly improving health and safety for both passengers and engineers. Facilities managers should embrace fast-changing trends to take advantage of the many benefits. Modernizing an elevator system will result in a faster elevator with a smoother ride, reduce overall costs and make an elevator more reliable and less prone to breakdowns.

For elevator maintenance specifically, customer-management portals (new online tools growing in popularity with many elevator servicing companies) offer a bespoke and reliable service, which both reduces downtime and improves communication between clients and servicers. Online systems deliver clients detailed elevator-portfolio information, including real-time updates, electronic exchange of orders and proactive maintenance reporting. The booking of engineers for maintenance, viewing of arrival times and specific work undertaken is now easily accessible, allowing facilities managers to plan elevator maintenance well in advance and alert people using the elevators.

Commercial & Residential Elevator Thermal Image — Commercial elevator maintenance and inspection plans

New thermal-imaging technology, for example, provides engineers with the ability to locate, troubleshoot and fix impending issues to prevent costly shutdowns. Furthermore, there are several technological developments that can drastically reduce an elevator system’s energy consumption. It is vital that service providers notify clients of changing environmental legislation and offer advice on product innovation and environmentally efficient technologies during the term of their contract.

New thermal-imaging technology provides engineers with the ability to locate, troubleshoot and fix impending issues to prevent costly shutdowns.

Elevator Company Elevator Installers and Repairers Long Island New York User Push — Elevator installers can help educate owners on maintenance and repair

Education of Commercial Elevator Operations and Procedures

It goes without saying that, despite a facilities manager’s best efforts, accidents can still occasionally happen. For passengers, a common hazard is being struck by closing elevator doors, and, although it is essential to ensure your elevator system’s detection system is updated, this type of accident is largely the result of user error — for instance, a passenger may attempt to run for a elevator and stick his or her hand or arm between the doors to prevent them from closing.

Early education for elevator passengers by providing visible signs and aids will detail elevator best practices and is a facilities manager’s best hope for the prevention of accidents.

Island Elevator is Ready to Help

Island Elevator is here to help you understand all facets of your Elevator Repair, Maintenance, & Modernization costs in the new year. Our team is here to help ensure your home and business vertical transportation equipment receive the regularly scheduled maintenance necessary to help you avoid a major catastrophe, reduce the possibility of a costly repair, and ensure the safety of your passengers, tenants, and family.

Call For Your Free Estimate Today! 631-491-3392

Click Here For More Information On Home Elevators

Understanding Local Accessibility Requirements for Elevators

It is vital to understand how the federal law applies throughout the United States in reference to the ADA enacted in 1990 to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities.

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination by private entities which operate within places of public accommodation. The ADA also requires new construction and modernized or altered locations of public accommodation, along with commercial facilities or buildings to provide ADA compliant accessibility means.

Examples of buildings that fall within the ADA:

Businesses that are generally open to the public
Restaurants
Movie Theatres
Schools
Day Care Facilities
Recreation Facilities
Doctor’s offices
Privately-owner, non-residential facilities
Factories
Warehouses
Office Buildings

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Overview of ADA Requirements Regarding Elevators

The ADA requirements for elevators found within section 407 of the ADAAG chapter four accessible routes. As Section 206.2.3 reads, there are some specific exceptions to the elevator requirements. For example, private buildings that are less than three floors do not have to provide an elevator unless they are a shopping center, professional office, or other specified type of use.

Every local building location must have at least one passenger elevator to meet the accessibility requirements and service elevators may be used to comply with the standard accessibility requirements if certain elements are included as a part of the design.

Owners must comply with door sizes and door placement to allow wheelchair users to gain entrance, easily maneuver to reach the controls, and easily exit the elevator. Braille floor designations must be located on both jams and call buttons and are required to be either raised or flush at least 3/4 (three-quarter) of an inch in diameter.

Call registration and emergency communication buttons both inside and outside of the elevator must be within the regulation specified for reach in human range for a wheelchair user.
All elevator buttons with numbers must be in ascending order along with being raised and Braille designations shall be placed to the left of the control button.
There should be visible and verbal signals to indicate which elevator car is available and the direction it is moving when it has reached a designated floor.
All elevator doors must remain fully open for at least three seconds in response to a call and the two-way communication device in the elevator cannot be more than 48” inches from the floor.

General Dimensions for ADA requirements

An elevator must have the proper minimum elevator dimensions to allow wheelchairs easy access and maneuverability within the car.

ADA elevator must have several minimum dimensions:

The minimum clear door opening with an elevator car is 36 inches wide x 80 inches high

The depth of the car must be at least 61” inches

The width must be at least 68 inches, unless the elevator has center opening doors, and then openings of at least 80” inches are required.

When installing an ADA compliant elevator, it is essential to ensure an automatic elevator will stop at the designated floor upon pressing the button. The elevator will be self-leveling, meaning it will automatically lift/raise to the current level of the destination floor.

The elevator floor should line up with the seam in an even position so that people and equipment, such as wheelchairs or ADA compliant equipment, can easily enter and exit the elevator.

If carpet is installed it must be firmly attached
The floors inside the elevator should be slip resistant
Transitions or openings should be smooth for any equipment such as a wheelchair
Minimum distance between surface openings must be ½ inch or less

Private residential elevator’s may be designed to provide an ADA compliant space saving solution for homes up to six stories. Residential elevators are similar in many ways to a traditional elevator with an enclosed cab that travels between each floor and typically a limited use elevator is designed with a main purpose in providing accessibility for handicap access within the home.

Limited Use/Limited Application Elevators

A limited use/limited application elevator (also known as a LULA) is a slower and smaller elevator compared to a traditional passenger elevator you would find in a large office building or hotel.

A LULA can be added to improve accessibility in existing buildings and are typically only designed for low occupancy locations that will take an occupant up one or two stories. They are often found in library’s, churches, schools, and small businesses.

Whether you want to renovate, alter, or expand your building to meet the ADA 2010 standards for accessible design (recent version) requires the removal of “accessibility barriers and existing places of public accommodation when doing so as readily achievable” to be compliant.

US department of justice (DOJ) states on the ADA website “One effective approach is to conduct a self-evaluation of the facility to identify existing barriers“ and a building owner can have a difficult time deciding what really needs to be done.

Elevator access self-assessment isn’t required by the ADA, but it can be effective in identifying the most efficient ways to provide access that is required and preventing a liability or violation. If you’re unsure whether or not the elevators in your building are compliant you can check with existing codes or have an evaluation completed to ensure that your elevator is in with an ADA compliance.

Island Elevator is Ready to Help

Island elevator is here to help you understand and navigate the ADA codes and regulations that help make your home or business accessible and safe for the disabled and homeowners seeking an accessible ADA compliant option which will allow them to remain in their home.

Call For Your Free Estimate Today! 631-491-3392

Click Here For More Information On Home Elevators

Platform Lift Safety Standards

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All elevators and lifts have a set of safety standards that should not be ignored. It’s easy to overlook some of these but it’s not advisable. If you have an elevator in Long Island that is due for inspection or needs repair, don’t neglect the necessary safety standards.

Where You Might See Platform Lifts

Platform lifts can be found in a lot of different areas. From construction zones to court houses, these often help people bound to wheelchairs get to a raised state. In new construction zones, they are put in place of ramps that would not fit in certain areas. They help with accessibility overall. They are great options to use, but require a few simple safety elements.

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Independent Operation

There is a list of standards that the ADA has put out. In order for these to be in place, they must be able to work without any assistance. Unassisted operation is the main standard here. ADA prohibits lifts of this type to have an attendant operation system. This is different than portable lifts, mind you, which are not in line with any of the main ADA Standards put out today.

Door and Gate Requirements

Moving along, you’re going to find that doors and gates have safety measure requirements also. They have to be low energy and operated with their own power. Simple lifts that do not stop more than twice can have manual doors and overall, they must remain open for 20 seconds.

Reach Ranges

There must be controls that are within reach for someone that is in a wheelchair. There should also be clearance across the floor, and a runway landing. There should be a 36” wide floor space and a length across doors and gates of 48” depending on whether or not there’s a longer side to the enclosure. For longer options minimum lengths are 60”.

Commercial Elevators repair or maintenance long island NY

Power Elements

It’s important for platform lifts to have standby power. This is critical for safety, just in case there’s a problem with the electrical grid. Standby power should not be overlooked, as it is important to comply with ADA standards.

It’s important to consider the safety elements above, but also understand that the ADA standards of safety do not meet up with ASMA A18.1 options. There’s a difference in how these outline safety requirements, and should not be overlooked.

Overall, if you aren’t sure if your platform lift is in compliance, or perhaps you need maintenance checkup, call in a professional. Get an inspection done, to make sure that you’re not outside of the ADA safety standards. Elevator and lift maintenance may be easy to forget, but it is critical today. Safety should never be an afterthought when dealing with modern elevators and lifts, which is why you should get a professional opinion on the matter.

Call For Your Free Estimate Today! 631-491-3392

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Home Elevators on The Rise

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Older homeowners today may be in need of a little updating to their current lifestyle. This is especially true for those who have multiple stories in their home. Whether it’s age, injury, or comfort, stairs give the possibility of cautionary issues arising. It only takes one bad fall to never want to climb the stairs again. With that in mind, many search for new homes, but find that the cost of buying a new house is a bit cost prohibitive compared to simply getting a home elevator installed. This is a more attainable solution that is not only more cost effective, but going to allow people to stay in their homes longer.

Thousands of people today get hurt from climbing up and down stairs.

Perhaps you invite your elderly parents or family to live with you, you can ensure that they are safe. Thousands of people today get hurt from climbing up and down stairs. Just one misstep and someone could go flying, and hurt themselves. Recovering from this could be very difficult, especially if you have to continually go up and down stairways. Installing a lift, could change that. It could help with safety, and make it way easier to move forward.

Stay in Your Long Island House Longer

Now, before getting into the notion of installing an elevator, consider the costs associated with buying a new home. Let’s assume that you are going to sell your existing home, and then buy a new one. You’d have to deal with the moving costs, plus escrow, down payments, and mortgages. There’s a lot of money that is going to exchange hands in order to move forward. The costs can be seriously difficult to manage, and at the end of the day, you may not get something that you truly love. There’s a financial aspect to this, but there’s also an emotional element. It’s just easier to install an elevator, maintain it by getting annual maintenance checks, and stay in a home that you’ve grown with and are comfortable in.

Long Island Elevator Installations

Many people have 30 year mortgages. If you are going to be paying off your house past your elderly years, you may want to look into installing anything that is going to help you stay in your home longer. This simple addition could very well allow that, and when you retire, you will not have to worry about downsizing or purchasing a different home. Why spend more money, when you could easily install a lift to help you get the most out of your multiple story home.

There are different options available to Long Island homeowners when it comes to elevator installations. You can have a simple lift, or something a bit more complex installed with ease. Not only that, the costs associated with it is incredibly lower than that of trying to purchase a new home.

Trends Continue to Favor Elevators

Staying in your home longer, protecting your elderly family members, and experiencing a bit of luxury all comes to mind when you consider elevators in the home today. Many homes today are installing elevators since maintaining them is very simple when you work with a professional elevator company such as Island Elevator. It just takes an annual check up, and you could very well see the benefits of having one of these in place.

Island Elevator is your home elevator maintenance company in Long Island who are ready to help you.

Our budget-friendly maintenance programs provide the attention your unit needs and peace of mind you desire. If you are using a large elevator company, you are paying too much!

Call For Your Free Estimate Today! 631-491-3392

Click Here For More Information On Home Elevators

Before You Buy A Home Elevator, Consider This…

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One of the best things about owning a home is that you can upgrade it whenever you’d like. One unique upgrade that many people are seeking out is home elevators. You don’t have to be super rich, and you don’t need to have a mansion to have one of these anymore. Truth be told, there’s a lot of options to consider when you look into installing a lift, and even maintaining it. You’ll find that the cost doesn’t prohibit you from getting one. If you’re not sure whether or not this option is for you, here are some things to consider when you look into purchasing one.

Safety Elements

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First and foremost, take into consideration the overall safety of your home. If you have multiple stories, or at least one set of stairs, people can be coming up and down the stairs, not paying attention, and end up falling, slipping, and hurting themselves. The same goes for older pets. Safety is a major concern that goes for everyone, of any age. Instead of having to walk up and down the stairs risking a possible fall, you could have an elevator in place to add to your peace of mind.

The Style Of Elevator

Right now there are several different types of lifts that you can install in your home. You could have a simple storage solution for your garage, or a full scale model for several floors in your home, or anything you can imagine in between. You could have something that is easily accessible for everyone, or you could have something that is hidden, and meant for protecting you in case of a break in. The style of lift that you want will dictate the price point, as well as the labor that you’re going to need to have this fully installed.

Costs of Maintenance

As you look into your Long Island home elevator installation options, you’ll want to consider the maintenance costs also. But here’s the thing, if you get an annual checkup on your lift, you will not have to worry about any costs of hefty repairs. Just like your own health, if you catch things early, you can fix health risks before they get serious.

Increase Your Home’s Value

If you are going to sell your home in the near future or want to simply raise the overall appraisal then look into adding an elevator because it will inherently increase your home’s value. Not only that, if you ever want to sell your house, you will have another selling point to consider. Your realtor will be able to communicate to potential buyers that you have a good, working elevator in your home. This alone can potentially give you thousands of dollars in terms of resale value.

Get an Estimate and See Why This Is So Popular

If you’re not sure whether or not you want to install an elevator in your Long Island home yet, then by all means, consider getting an in-home estimate. An estimate will reveal the overall price tag that is associated with whatever unique requests you may have.

Call for Your Free Estimate Today! 631-491-3392

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How Often Do Commercial Elevators Need Maintenance?

One of the most important aspects of owning an elevator is not so much the operation. Yes, they should operate smoothly, and people should have peace of mind when stepping into them on a regular basis. Maintenance is such an important aspect, and in the state of New York and other states in the country, there are requirements that must be followed. If a business doesn’t get this done properly, fines and other issues could very well arise. Not only that, you may find that people’s lives can be endangered as a result. When looking into commercial elevator maintenance in Long Island, you may want to learn about how often you need to get an inspection done. The following shines light on that, and a few other notes of interest.

How Often Do Elevators Need An Inspection?

The short answer to this is 4 times a year for a commercial passenger elevator. Now, if you’re talking about commercial freight elevators, it’s only twice a year. This is very important. Much like cars need to have oil changes every 3,000 miles or so, the same is true about lifts of various types. You have to remember, there are several moving parts that come with this, as lifts are not “simple” in how they work. Modern solutions have a lot of electrical components, safety elements, and more that can go awry. In many instances, an inspection will help in finding any issues that may arise from normal wear and tear.

What Items Need Repairing Most?

When it comes to repairs, there are a few things that could arise as a result of normal wear and tear. Items that need repairing most include door locks, gates, wiring issues, valves, buttons, lights, and circuitry. It’s easy to walk into a lift and assume that everything is working fine, but there are certain things that just go out. Even with light use, there are leveling elements, control boards, and so much more that need to work at full capacity to get a smooth ride. Without inspections, these things can go undetected and cause serious problems down the line.

Get A Helping Hand (Don’t Skip Inspections)

It’s imperative that you work with a professional to get an inspection done every few months. As mentioned above, commercial passenger elevators should have 4 inspections a year. It is very important that these are not skipped. It’s easy to put these things on the back burner, and just assume all is well if things are working. However, things fall apart, and even the lightest used lift will eventually break down.

Every year, it’s important to call in a commercial elevator maintenance company to help focus on the natural wear and tear. You’ll find that by getting regularly scheduled inspections, you could very well save money with minor fixes. Minor changes, updates, and fixes will save you thousands. If you wait too long, something could go seriously wrong, and that could lead to replacing complete elevator elements, which could stifle your budget. If you remember nothing else, remember not to skip your elevator’s inspection, simple as that.