A lift is a long-term investment. Although the importance of maintaining passenger lifts is often overlooked, ensuring that the system is kept to its highest standards could improve the longevity of the equipment. There are various elements that go into upholding the efficiency, reliability and safety of passenger lifts.
Routine Maintenance
As soon after the lift is installed, you need to lay out a maintenance schedule. This is the best way to ensure that it’s always working to standard. Some of the elements that need to be addressed on a regular basis include making small adjustments and replacing lights inside the cabin as well other parts.
A typical service visit will involve cleaning and lubricating the essential parts in order to optimize performance. The technicians will usually record any tasks undertaken and also recommend other works or repairs that aren’t covered by the service visit. You should always check and sign the service report on each visit.
Ideally, routine maintenance should be carried out every 6 months. There are however other factors that would determine the frequency of service visits. Such would include the number lifts in the entire building, the number of floors served by each lift and extent of use. The service company should be able to recommend a suitable maintenance schedule. The most important thing to keep in mind is that regular checkups and improvements can significantly reduce running costs in the long term.
Safety Inspections
Obviously, safety is the number one concern most people have about passenger lifts. Regular inspections would help in addressing the concerns. Unlike routine maintenance, a safety check would involve comprehensive assessment of whether or not a lift operates at a safe level. Safety inspections are also less frequent. In most cases, the visits usually follow a 12-month schedule.
Refurbishment
As time goes by, the whole lift system will start to show signs of age. Regularly updating the equipment would provide a more cost-effective solution when compared to replacing the entire system. With refurbishments, the technology behind the lift’s mechanism is brought up to current standards. This would not only enhance safety, but also ensure that passengers are always comfortable while in the cabins.
Unexpected Repairs
At times, your lift could be subject to some unscheduled maintenance. This often occurs when faults are noticed before or after the scheduled visit. Although malfunctions of the entire system are uncommon, they could still be triggered by external factors. Your service contractor will be able to address such irregularities to restore normal lift operation. But if they don’t undertake such tasks, you could look for a different lift repair company.
Cost
Most companies offer a handful of service packages to suit different requirements. For starters, you’ll find basic packages, where everything outside the service visits are chargeable. Under comprehensive packages, everything is catered for, including the cost of replacement components and labor.
Maintenance costs will ultimately depend on the kind of contract you have with the contractor. The terms should spell out what is or isn’t included. At times, fully comprehensive packages could exclude major components for purposes of reducing the premium. You therefore need to be aware of all your contract’s details.