According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as quoted by the CDC, elevators and escalators combined result in 30 deaths and 17,000 serious injuries every year in the US.
The price of repairing a single elevator can run up to $2,000, and if a full replacement is needed, it can run up to $20,000. Elevator maintenance for commercial buildings is necessary to ensure the performance of the lifts, the safety of its users, and low costs for businesses.
Elevator Maintenance for Commercial Buildings
Elevator maintenance is a routine step-by-step inspection that is done to keep elevators in good working condition. This involves pinpointing, diagnosing, and repairing any issues before they can result in catastrophic system failure or breakdown.
Elevator maintenance for commercial buildings is typically performed once a month to reduce the incidences of repair and to prolong the lifespan of the elevator.
An elevator maintenance checklist for commercial buildings is used to examine the structural, electrical, mechanical, and safety systems of the elevators to identify any risks caused by worn out or defective equipment and ensure the equipment performs safely and reliably.
A professional elevator maintenance service will follow the steps below to guide the maintenance process:
- Perform an inspection of the equipment inside the car, on top of the car, and the machine room
- Report the defects and faults found and get photographic evidence
- Add feedback and recommendations
- Complete the evaluation by providing their name and signature
The elevators in a commercial building will continue to offer safe and dependable service to users if they are maintained regularly. Unfortunately, though, not every commercial building owner or manager prioritizes elevator maintenance, leading to a high number of accidents every year. To ensure a high level of elevator safety, it is essential to regularly inspect elevators.
The key to elevator safety is to have a comprehensive inspection plan and to follow it, down to the letter. This is why it is essential for commercial buildings to keep an elevator maintenance checklist ready. Without it, your staff might overlook a small but important element that they should be looking for when performing an elevator inspection.
For example, neglecting the maintenance of the emergency stop button can prove to be disastrous for anyone riding the lift if there is an incident.
Elevator Maintenance Checklist
An elevator maintenance checklist should have step-by-step instructions about which part of the elevator to inspect and how. Let us take a look at what that entails.
Maintenance Inside the Car
- Make sure the door of the elevator can open and close freely and are not obstructed by anything. This includes making sure the doors don’t bounce or slam quickly.
- Ensure that the door restrictor is working properly. Make the repairs necessary.
- Check the interior of the elevator for signs of damage to the walls, handrails, and ceiling.
- Test all the position indicator lights. Make sure to change any lights if they are burned out. This includes replacing the lights in the control panel.
- Ride the elevator going both up and down to check the speed of acceleration and deceleration and leveling accuracy. Make the required adjustments.
- Make sure the emergency phone connects smoothly with emergency services.
Maintenance Outside the Car
- Check the lights and hall stations outside the car. Replace burned-out lights and make the necessary repairs.
- Check the elevator door panels and how much clearances they give.
- Text the fire alarm system and smoke detector.
Maintenance In the Machine Room
- Make sure that the machine room only contains items or materials related to the elevator. Remove anything if it interferes with the operation of the elevator.
- Test the fire alarm system and smoke detectors in the machine room.
- Check the level of oil and make sure all relevant systems are adequately lubricated.
- Check all the components for wear and tear, excessive vibrations, or leaks.
- Inspect the electrical wiring and components for signs of overheating, defects, or fraying.
- Ensure the machine room is sufficient headroom for technicians,
- Make any necessary tweaks or repairs and schedule a follow-up service.
Maintenance On Top of the Car
- Check the emergency hatch and ensure it is easily accessible.
- Inspect the stop switch and inspection station to ensure they operate properly.
- Test the brake mechanism to make sure it is well-maintained and working properly.
- Inspect the traveling cables for signs of wear and tear. Also, check the connections.
- Look for any signs of wear, vandalism, fire safety, or rodent damage along the hoistway.
- Make sure to clean the top of the car of any debris.
- Examine the door operator and all its parts.
Maintenance in the Pit
- Make sure the elevator pit can be accessed easily and quickly.
- Check the pit to ensure it has the right amount of clearance.
- Clean out the pit and look for any sign of a leak from the elevator.
- Make sure the lights, stop switch, and the GFI outlet are working fine.
- Check all visible components, including the leveling devices, guide rails, and rollers.
- Check the spring buffers for proper alignment, secure attachment, and rust.
- Check the frame of the car for any damage.
- Check the travel cable for wear, snags, and pinches.
- Make sure the sump pump is operating properly and is clean of debris.
If the elevator mechanic sees an issue, he should fill out a log of his observations.
Having a well-planned-out elevator maintenance checklist can help reduce safety risks, lessen the costs of repairs, and make sure that your elevator is operating according to the regulations.
When creating an elevator maintenance checklist, always make sure to add items that a technician should check inside, outside, in the machine room, at the top, and in the pit of the elevator.
Importance of Elevator Maintenance for Commercial Buildings
Elevators are essential investments for commercial buildings since they play an important role in transporting people and cargo quickly and safety between floors. In the United States, elevators make over 18 billion trips a year – this means ensuring the safety and reliability of elevators is imperative.
An elevator maintenance checklist is vital to ensure all components of the elevator are in good working condition, and building compliance requirements are being met. A malfunctioning elevator can cause not just simple inconvenience but can threaten the safety of the people riding it, resulting in thousands of dollars of expenses for businesses. Performing routine elevator maintenance can reduce this risk.
Well-maintained elevators can increase the reputation, value and marketability of a commercial building while ensuring public safety and smooth building operations. Therefore, it is important for commercial buildings to choose the right professional elevator maintenance service.
At Facilities USA, we can help commercial buildings save money, time, and resources by providing them with high-quality elevator maintenance services. We are qualified, insured, and pre-approved and can offer fully customized operational solutions for your commercial building. Reach out for commercial waste management or any other related service.
