Elevator Maintenance

How Often Does a Commercial Elevator Need Maintenance?

 The laws related to using elevators specify that the elevators should be certified by the state and periodically inspected. A commercial elevator should be checked at least four times a year. Inspections for commercial freight elevators should be done twice a year. Keep in mind the following points to understand how often your elevator needs to get checked:

● If your elevator experience feels a little shaky, it’s probably because its maintenance is due.
● Modern elevators have many components that can cause problems in their operation if not appropriately maintained. 
● Regular inspection can point out possible issues and repair the parts that are worn out. 
● Most components, such as wiring, buttons, lights, valves, and door locks, need frequent maintenance and repair because of the heavy footfall.
● If employees complain about leveling issues, get an inspection done immediately to prevent yourself from experiencing a severe problem.

Elevator Maintenance Tools

Companies that offer elevator maintenance have trained technicians who handle the procedure. It’s best to hire a credible elevator inspection service provider who can also provide certificates as proof of inspection. However, if you want to lower the cost, you can hire an elevator technician. He can help keep the elevators up and running but also maintain automated parking, the HVAC system, and the electrical and plumbing system of the company building. Every technician needs its handy tools to help him with his tasks. Here’s a list of tools that a lift technician may need:
● Hand-operated power tools
● Control system tools
● Power system tools
● Safety precautionary tools
● Solid state tools
● Door mechanism tools
● AC/DC installation tools
● Troubleshooting tools
● Pulleys

How To Choose Monthly Maintenance Cost of Elevators

Whether it’s a company building or a residential complex, if you install an elevator, you’ll have to bear maintenance expenses to ensure the people’s safety and maintain property value. With that said, if you are looking for a cost-effective monthly maintenance plan, you are not to blame. 

However, since quality is co-related with services, taking a step to save your short-term savings by avoiding frequent elevator inspections may cost you long-run repair costs and liabilities. While negotiating an elevator maintenance agreement, you can consider the following factors, ensuring good price and quality.

Do Some Research

If it’s your first contract, research what these services cost. The cost may range between $75 to $750 and may exceed depending on various factors (elevator size, type, location, height, age. etc.). An elevator maintenance cost calculator is readily available online. You can input your parameters and get the possible cost of maintenance. The more you know, the better position you’ll be in negotiating a beneficial deal.

Understand Various Elevator Contract Types

There are three elevator inspection contracts: Full service, partial service, and Parts, oil & grease (POG) elevator maintenance. A full-service contract is often the most beneficial and expensive but yields long-term benefits. It puts the service provider entirely responsible for maintenance, preventative and emergency repairs. 

A partial service plan excludes several components from the terms to accommodate a low-cost monthly fix, which may result in a high repair cost. Lastly, the POG is the cheapest month-to-month contract and has the most viable associated options, such as one basic inspection and one monthly compliance check-up. Repair and emergency service charges are not included, so that overall costs may rise.

Ask Relevant Questions From Your Service Provider

When deciding on the best contract, you should ask more questions from your elevator maintenance provider to be in a better position. The aim should be to understand the services and the agreement designed by your service provider. You should know everything about annual costs to compare it with your budget. You may ask some of these questions to help you analyze the points your contract may need:

● What is your experience with the specific type of elevator?
● What components and tools do you keep?
● Do you have any certifications proving your expertise?
● How frequent will the inspection be?
● Do you offer 24-hour service, and will you include this claw in the contract?
● How do you handle emergencies?

Are You Ready To Pay Extra For Repair Costs?

Only an entire service contract accounts for complete repair and emergency elevator costs. Even if you try to design the best budget elevator plan, it may exclude some types of repairs and specific components, leading to an increase in cost. The cost is usually more for partial and POG contracts and less for full ones.

How Long Does Elevator Maintenance Session Last?

The duration of the elevator maintenance session depends on the scope of your contract and the elevators’ complexity. A routine inspection session for a commercial elevator may take two to four hours. This duration may increase for commercial elevators depending on the elevator’s condition, age, and problems faced. 

The maintenance session may take less time for residential complex elevators due to the less footfall. In both circumstances, facility managers and building owners should coordinate with their elevator maintenance service providers and design an inspection schedule to minimize disruptions.

What Factors Determine The Frequency of Maintenance For Commercial Elevators?

Elevator maintenance is crucial to avoid possible consequences or disruptions on a busy work day, which may affect the company’s progress and long-term costs. The following factors affect the frequency of maintenance needed for a commercial elevator:

Daily Usage
The volume of passengers and the number of trips an elevator makes daily impact its wear and tear. Elevators that experience more footfall and carry cargo need frequent maintenance to prevent operational problems during the day.

Age of the Elevator
Older elevators have aging components that need more frequent maintenance. Newer elevators have updated technology; hence, they initially need less maintenance.

Type of Elevator
The frequency of maintenance also depends on the type of elevator you own. Hydraulic elevators have different maintenance requirements than traction elevators. Your elevator maintenance service provider can best guide you about your desired frequency.

Average Daily Load of the Elevator
Frequent maintenance inspection may be needed if the elevator is during a renovation of large buildings as it puts additional stress on the elevator system.

Aesthetic upkeep
Sometimes, frequent maintenance is crucial to maintain the appearance and design features of an elevator.

Maintenance history
The past maintenance history can decide whether an elevator needs regular inspection maintenance or more frequent inspections to compensate for the missed ones.

Operational zone
The condition in which the lift operates affects the need for frequent maintenance. If an elevator works in buildings with dust or a region with extreme weather conditions, additional maintenance may be needed to operate efficiently.

Conclusion

A properly maintained elevator can be critical in the seamless movement of people and goods in multi-story buildings. Your main priority should be the safety of the people and goods to maintain your company’s reputation. You should sign a maintenance contract covering all its components; many elevator inspection providers only cover some of the equipment and charge additional costs. 

Hence, thoroughly review the elevator maintenance guide above to lock in the best deal. Dazen Elevators offers elevator and elevator modernization services at competitive rates, contact us to get a free quote for your project.