A Comprehensive Guide to Why Elevator Inspection Matters

There are more than 10,000 elevator accidents every year that result in injuries. Many of these are related to defects and malfunctions of the machine. Fortunately, a good portion of them can be prevented with regular elevator maintenance.

There are many benefits to routine elevator inspection. In general, it is the best way to ensure the safety of your employees, clients, or customers by helping catch minor issues before they become major ones.

Below is a comprehensive guide to why elevator inspection is so important. Keep reading to find out what you can do to ensure your elevator is working properly.

What Does an Elevator Inspection Entail?

A thorough elevator inspection will examine every component of the machine. It also will test all systems related to elevator operations. This includes the cab of the elevator as well as the doors and their function.

A technician will check the lighting and test all the buttons on the panel. These include floor buttons as well as door “open” and “close” buttons.

An elevator professional will test the emergency stop button and phone to ensure it connects to a 911 dispatcher or fire department. They will make sure the smoke detectors and fire alarm systems are working well.

The technician will examine the motor and inspect its oil level. They will check all belts and ensure all moving parts are sufficiently lubricated. They will examine the sheaves and cables for any signs of damage or corrosion.

They will look for visible signs of damage to electrical wiring and tighten any loose connections. They will check standby power operation.

The inspector will test the brakes to ensure proper stopping without any kind of noise. They will test the overspeed governor and make sure it is in good condition.

Finally, an elevator inspector will examine the shaft, or hoistway, for any issues, including signs of rodents. They also will ensure the structural integrity of beams and roller guides.

Benefits of a Regular Elevator Inspection

There are many advantages to scheduling regular elevator maintenance. Here are the main ones to consider:

Regulatory Compliance

All buildings that have elevators–including private homes–must have a permit. These are valid for a certain period, contingent on regular inspection. (Note that it is important to keep a copy of your permit in a safe location as proof of compliance.)

Permitting and regulatory oversight are usually done by individual states. However, there are federal standards laid out by the Occupational and Safety and Health Administration.

These require elevators to be inspected at least once a year. Also, the results of the inspection must be posted in the vicinity of the elevator and made available to passengers.

There are many other good reasons to have an elevator inspected besides compliance, but it is a good place to start. Failure to meet these standards could lead to your elevator or your business itself being shut down until it is carried out. Even worse, if someone experiences an injury related to the elevator, then you could be susceptible to legal repercussions.

Besides bureaucratic requirements, it also is important for technicians to pay attention to manufacturer recommendations. These can vary among brands, especially as they relate to weight capacity, testing, and safety systems. That is why it is imperative to hire a company that keeps its finger on the pulse of such requirements, including any parts recalls.

Increased Safety

Elevators are complex machines. As mentioned, they rely on pulleys, cables, motors, counterweights, motion detectors, and all types of electrical components to operate. If one component is damaged or not functioning correctly, this could endanger passengers.

The safety of passengers is one of the most important reasons to schedule elevator maintenance. It will give you the peace of mind that every part is in proper working order.

Improved Efficiency and Convenience

Elevator compliance is not only about safety but efficiency and reliability as well. It means transporting passengers from A to B as quickly as possible. Elevator tests will also limit the chances of getting stuck between floors or doors that fail to open, trapping passengers inside.

If you have ever experienced a slow elevator, you know how frustrating that can be. This is one example of how regular elevator maintenance can help you create a better experience for employees or customers.

Finally, a good rider experience can extend to how smooth and quiet the elevator operates. Inspections will address any noisy bearings, sheaves, or guide rails that need lubrication. This can help avoid loud noises or jolts in operation.

Cost Savings

Like with most machines, carrying out regular elevator maintenance is cheaper than major repairs. This is especially true in terms of avoiding breakdown. Emergency repairs will cost a premium in labor, whereas the opposite is true for routine checkups.

Regular maintenance also can prolong the life of your elevator. This means you can push replacement or major upgrade costs further down the road.

Preventative maintenance also helps keep your elevator running, avoiding abrupt shutdowns. This too could impact your business profitability, especially for those with customers who rely on use of an elevator.

Also, if you have employees with disabilities that impact mobility, an elevator may be essential. Keeping it running could go hand-in-hand with keeping the doors of your business open.

Elevators that are not working at 100 percent capacity are less efficient. That means they will suck up more energy performing their requisite operations. Over time this can add up to a lot of waste in utility costs, especially for businesses that use their elevators daily.

Finally, it also can help you better budget for elevator upkeep. It lets you dedicate a small amount of funds to regular maintenance and avoid costly emergency repairs.

Schedule Elevator Inspection Today

Now that you understand how elevator inspection works and why it is important, you can schedule service today. Staying on top of maintenance will extend the life of your elevator and limit the potential of breakdowns.

For more than 70 years, Toledo Elevator has been providing high-quality repair, maintenance, and installation to the vertical transportation industry. We are family-owned and operated, and pride ourselves on exemplary customer service. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment.