Ensuring that you have working lifts in your building is vital for safety and for their operation, so having a lift maintenance process is important. Whilst you will need to use professional lift service companies for any big lift maintenance work, you can still undertake maintenance tasks yourself to keep your lifts in top shape.
The checklist below details daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance you can undertake to keep your lifts working as best as they can between your scheduled visits from your lift maintenance provider.
Daily Lift Maintenance
Daily lift maintenance tasks that you should perform are used for both function and aesthetic purposes, and they include:
- Checking lift operation, including that the lift is responding promptly to calls, that doors are opening and closing smoothly, and there are no abnormal sounds or vibrations during operation.
- Daily cleaning of the interior of the lift to maintain cleanliness, including the elevator cabin, walls, flooring, handrails, and mirrors.
- Testing all buttons, floor indicators, and emergency buttons to ensure they are functioning correctly.
Weekly Lift Maintenance
Weekly lift maintenance is mainly for continual usage benefits, and the tasks that you should perform include:
- Applying appropriate lubrication to moving parts such as pulleys, bearings, and hinges to reduce friction and maintain smooth operation.
- Inspecting and cleaning door mechanisms, including rollers, tracks, and sensors, for any obstructions, damage, or misalignment, and clean them to remove dust or debris that may affect proper functioning.
- Testing the intercom or emergency communication system to ensure clear communication between passengers and the monitoring station in case of an emergency.
Monthly Lift Maintenance
Monthly lift maintenance tasks are more thorough than those you should do daily or weekly, and require a bit more time. These include:
- Thoroughly inspecting the hoistway and pit area for debris, oil leaks, or any signs of damage, and cleaning the area to maintain a safe and clean environment.
- Testing and adjusting door closing and levelling to ensure they are functioning properly. Make necessary adjustments to maintain proper door operation and alignment.
- Checking and cleaning elevator shaft lighting fixtures in the lift shaft to ensure adequate illumination for maintenance and emergency situations.
Quarterly Lift Maintenance
Quarterly lift maintenance work is again more thorough, and you will likely have to call in a lift maintenance professional tio undertake the work that needs doing. These tasks include:
- Inspecting and testing safety features, including checking the emergency brakes, overspeed governors, and other safety devices to ensure they are functioning correctly. Test their operation as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Testing and recalibrating elevator sensors and switches, including the door sensors, limit switches, and other sensors to ensure accurate detection and smooth operation. Recalibrate if necessary.
- Inspecting and adjusting door locks and latches for proper engagement and alignment. Adjust or replace any faulty components as needed.
Annual Lift Maintenance
Annual lift maintenance will be undertaken by a professional lifty maintenance engineer as part of your service visit. The tasks that they should carry out during this service visit include:
- Comprehensive inspection of all mechanical and electrical components — Conduct a thorough inspection of the lift’s mechanical and electrical systems, including motor, cables, brakes, control panels, and wiring. Identify any signs of wear, damage, or potential issues that require attention.
- Testing and certification of safety systems — Perform a comprehensive safety inspection, including load testing, emergency stop functionality, and other critical safety checks. Obtain the necessary certifications and documentation.
- Verifying compliance with relevant regulations and standards — Ensure that the lift system complies with all applicable codes, regulations, and industry standards. Make any necessary upgrades or modifications to meet the requirements.
Bigger Lift Maintenance and Emergency Servicing Jobs
For bigger lift maintenance jobs, it is always recommended to use a professional service. This is because professionals will be able to keep your lifts at the required safety levels that they need, which will be easier for them to achieve than you.
Many lift maintenance companies will form partnerships with your business, so they will get to know which lifts need which services and how often. Once they have this knowledge, they will be able to perform the exact maintenance that the lift needs, which will increase the first-time fix rate of the lifts, and make them better for daily use.
If you partner with a lift maintenance company, they will also help you with emergency repairs and maintenance, which will give you added peace of mind so you don’t have to panic about finding an engineer.
Professional Lift Maintenance Services from RJ Lifts
A good lift company can make all the difference, with correct preventative lift maintenance your lift will run smoother, safer and more reliably. We have highly trained lift maintenance engineers carrying out lift maintenance nationally in accordance with manufactures’ guidelines. We are members of LEIA and also follow BS EN 13015 and SFG20 as a general standard for lift maintenance.
If you are interested in our lift maintenance services, call a member of our team on 0800 999 1177 and we will be more than happy to discuss your options with you.
