Elevator Maintenance 101: How Often Should It Be Done and Why It Matters
Elevators operate non-stop throughout the day. To ensure proper functioning, a proper maintenance strategy must be followed.
Each year, an elevator carries approximately 200,000 people. Elevators play a vital role in a building, especially in the high-rise ones. A proper maintenance strategy is to be ensured so that there are no unexpected defaults.
The fundamental significance behind its maintenance is to assure safety while showing better performance. The frequency of elevator maintenance depends on type, building usage, traffic, etc.
Elevator Maintenance: What are the Top Reasons?
17,000 elevator-related injuries take place in a year, making maintenance crucial.
Ensuring Safety
Lifts in a building should be maintained frequently so that they are safe to use. This lowers the chance of any serious injury that can be fatal. Passenger safety is the foremost priority in elevator service.
Avoiding Costly Breakdowns
An elevator loses its efficiency when it is operational for a long time. Regular maintenance accounts for modifying smaller repair works in time. Like, if you ignore an identified issue, it can turn into a bigger one.
Complying with Building Regulations
Elevators need to obey different safety standards, along with following several building regulations. Frequent monitoring is necessary to stay compliant with the mandatory safety requirements.
Maintenance Frequency of Elevators: Top Influential Factors
What is the ideal frequency of elevator maintenance? Well, this depends on various factors that impact the maintenance duration. Well, Elevator Maintenance 101 is a key consideration for lift maintenance.
Elevator Type
Maintenance frequency of elevators is dependent on its type. If you have hydraulic or MRL elevators, annual maintenance is needed. Whereas, traction lifts require maintenance.
Building Usage and Traffic Volume
If a building is of daily usage with high traffic (offices and schools), lifts must be maintained frequently. The maintenance procedure gets more vital if there is high traffic in a high-rise building.
Elevator’s Age
Is the elevator service in your building operational for more than 20 years old? If yes, it needs thorough maintenance. This might also be subjected to modernisation.
Environment
Outdoor lifts face extreme weather conditions like rain, sunlight, dust etc. For example, consistent rainfall can create rust. This increases the need for proper maintenance while considering a shorter gap.
What is the Frequency of Maintaining Lifts?
Elevator maintenance is done monthly, quarterly, or annually. Well, it depends on the lift type, building traffic, and lift’s position. A building with a high traffic must ensure monthly monitoring of elevators. This frequency differs from one building to another.
|
Type of building |
Level of traffic |
Service frequency |
| Residential | Low | Quarterly |
| Educational institutions | Medium | Monthly |
| Office | Medium | Monthly |
| Hospital | High | Weekly |
Table: Elevator maintenance frequency level in different types of building
Lift Maintenance: Key Considerations
Elevator service professionals follow different considerations while maintaining elevators. There might be different types of faults. This proves why elevator maintenance is important.
Mechanical Checks
During a maintenance period, professionals need to check the door as well as pulleys and brake systems. Any identified errors are rectified immediately.
Electrical Checks
Referring to electrical checking, you need to inspect any loose connection or wire damage. Check the control panel and inspect whether there is any loose connection.
Safety System Checks
An elevator has several safety features like alarms, power backup, and emergency brakes. Professionals need to check these aspects in an elevator maintenance time.
How to Identify Immediate Maintenance Need for an Elevator?
Elevators need basic visual inspection daily to figure out the maintenance requirement. Here are some of the signs that your elevator needs immediate attention.
Unusual noises
Generally, lifts have quiet operations. If you encounter any unusual sound like clanking or grinding, you must opt for servicing it.
Irregular Movements
People enjoy a smooth ride in an elevator. Right? Your elevator needs immediate maintenance if it offers jerky rides.
Frequent breakdowns
Something is wrong if you witness breakdowns frequently in the elevator service of your building. This might be any electrical problem, and you need to contact a professional soon.
Slowing of speed
Is your elevator running slower than its normal speed? This is a warning sign that must not be ignored.
Unresponsive Buttons
There can be instances where you witness that the buttons of the lift are not responding. Here, the control panel might be damaged or there is any electrical issue. Contact a service professional immediately if such a situation arises.
Wrapping Up
Elevators help in efficient access to different floors in a building. Elevator maintenance should be an utmost priority so that overall safety is ensured. Issues like unusual noise, frequent breakdowns, etc. indicate that a lift must be inspected immediately.
Ensure Safety, Prioritise Lift Maintenance Service
Get your elevator maintenance service done before any accident occurs. Is your elevator making an unusual sound? Or, is it older than 20 years? It’s time to carry out maintenance service so that the existing issues do not become concerning.
