Lift industry is known for its commitment to safety and health. This is why lifts are unheralded, but arguably the most reliable form of mechanical transportation. Planned regular servicing is the best practice for lift maintenance. This will ensure safety standards are maintained and reduce downtime. We have provided some information on lift services in this blog.
What is a service visit?
An engineer will inspect the safety features of the lift and clean, lubricate, and adjust all components to ensure the highest performance. The engineer will then conduct a service screen using his laptop. This will include a description of the work done and any suggestions or improvements that may have been made. Each engineer visit must be documented in a report.
Is my lift going to be unavailable for inspections or services?
Yes, in almost all cases. An engineer must inspect many parts of the shaft, structure, and motor room. The lift will then be ‘out-of-service’ while he is there.
Keep up to date with regulations
To improve lift industry practices and rules, regulations and lift rules are frequently updated. These guidelines are very important and allow facilities managers to ensure safe lift systems throughout the UK by adhering not only to current protocols but also to any new or evolving standards. The new requirements will apply to all lifts that are installed after the deadline. These include increased strength and durability of car roofs, doors and walls, fire resistance requirements of interiors, and mandatory control panels with an “off” button. These new standards will continue to maintain the lift’s excellent safety record.
Being proactive
Inspection of elevators is a crucial step in maintaining their condition. This applies to almost all aspects in facilities management. It is important to remember that lift maintenance does not have to be a mandatory practice. An insurance inspector must inspect a lift system at least once every six months in order for the owners to be legally covered. While this is the minimum amount of work that should be done, it is a good practice to have your lift system serviced at least once a month. Neglected lifts can cause long delays in repairs, premature ageing, financial cost, and even more danger for both the passengers and service personnel.
Plan for maintenance
Facilities managers should have a plan for preventative maintenance in place with the selected lift service provider. This includes obvious issues like elevator-system peak hours, unavailability dates for servicing, and so forth. To cover all risks, method statements, and safety procedures relating to lift maintenance, a mobilisation plan must be in place.
When planning for maintenance, you should consider the age and structure of the lift system. Older systems that cover more floors may require a more comprehensive service. This will likely take longer. The lift’s footfall can affect how quickly the system wears, so it is important to discuss the expected lift usage with the service provider. Facilities managers must be able to trust and rely on their lift service provider. To ensure that the lift service contracts provides excellent support and service, a partnership must be established during the planning phase.
Staying current with technology
The lift industry is experiencing technological advancements that have greatly improved safety and health for passengers as well as engineers. To reap the enormous benefits, facilities managers need to be aware of changing trends. Modernizing a lift system can result in a smoother ride and a faster lift, lower overall costs, and a lift that is more reliable and less likely to break down.
The new thermal-imaging technology allows engineers to detect, troubleshoot, and fix any pending problems to avoid costly shutdowns. There are also technological advancements that can dramatically lower the energy consumption of lift systems. Service providers must inform clients about changes in environmental legislation, and offer advice on product innovation and environmentally-friendly technologies to their clients during the contract term.
Customer-management portals, or being able to call your lift maintenance provider by phone, offer a reliable and personalised service that will reduce downtime and improve communication between servicers and clients. Clients have access to detailed information about their lifts via an online presence and frequent communication. This includes real-time updates, electronic order exchange, proactive maintenance reporting, and electronic order status.
Provide education
Accidents do happen, even though facilities managers make every effort to prevent them. Lift users are at risk from being hit by closed lift doors. Although it is important to have your lift system’s detection system updated, accidents like this can still happen. A passenger might need to run to a lift and place his or her arm or hand between the doors in order to stop them closing. A facilities manager can help prevent accidents by providing information and signs to lift passengers.
