One function of maintenance is ensuring continued operation by preventing excessive wear and breakdown.
Vertical transportation is a very important financial investment for building owners and can cost upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars for just a medium-size building. Many buildings’ elevator systems are considered a valuable asset and it is good business to have a well defined maintenance program to ensure safe operation and consistent uptime of the unit.
Elevators are very complex systems with hundreds of parts that need to be maintained. The main goal of keeping up with maintenance is ensuring continued operation by preventing excessive wear and breakdown. Modern elevators have more complex systems and the most important aspect of maintenance is to ensure that the elevator system continues to perform as it was originally designed.
Qualified technicians are trained to use the correct equipment and tools to keep the components of an elevator system that require regular maintenance in proper working order. When a building owner decides to purchase a building that has an elevator or have one installed they should consider the long-term cost that is necessary to maintain and repair the system.
Elevator systems are very complex and it is highly recommended that you do not attempt repairs on your own. The repairs should be done by a certified elevator technician and inspection services professional.
Elevator Maintenance: Machine Room
The elevator machine room is the core of the elevator system. The room contains the elevator hoisting machines, motor generator sets or solid-state power supply, and control equipment. The control equipment is a vital part of the complete operation mechanism that accelerates and decelerates several levels of the car at each floor.
Routine maintenance is essential in the machine room and includes generators, switches, contects, brakes, controls, and routine servicing of the motors.
Elevator Maintenance: Hoistway
The hoistway is a dangerous place to service. For safety only qualified personnel should perform elevator maintenance and repair work.
The hoistway contains guide rails which the elevator car and counterweight operate on. The operating mechanisms, doors, hangers, door locks, corridor, switches, and other safety devices are located here. Equipment within hoistways that requires maintenance includes buffers, corridor door hangers and locks, switches, and safety devices.There is space for cables and other equipment as well. Maintenance of these components can be performed from inside of the hoistway and outside of the elevator cab. The hoistway also has a pit which houses the car along with counterweights, cable pulleys, tensioning devices, limit switches, and buffers.
Elevator Maintenance: Car (or Cab)
Maintenance requirements for elevator cars include servicing door operating equipment, ventilation equipment on top of the car, and safety equipment at the base. Typically, elevator cars are fire-resistant, well-ventilated structures with a few exceptions of older designs.
Repair or maintenance work can be performed from within the hoistway and the repairs should be done by a certified elevator technician and inspection services professional.
Elevator Maintenance: Flooring
Elevator car floors may be replaced more often than flooring in the building due to the high amount of traffic. Flooring in elevator cars requires daily cleaning and service and nonflammable solutions in refinishing or cleaning the cab. When replacing the floor owners should choose a non-slip material as well. The flooring along with interior cleaning of the elevator is typically the responsibility of the property owner.
To monitor elevator operation accurately you can check these items.
Starting and stopping
Response time
Travel time between floors
Car leveling
Elevator door operation
Hall and call lights and floor indicators
Basic elevator issues to check
- Latch for the outer cab door, the door may have obstructions at the exit.
- Door obstructions, check to ensure there are no objects blocking the doors from closing
- Check for a rest switch, there may be a built-in switch that can restore power to the unit
- Circuit breaker or fuse panel, check to ensure there is power to the unit. There are some elevators designed to travel to the bottom floor and open the door using battery power whenever the main power goes down.
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.