Skip to content 
Regular maintenance of lifts is essential to ensure problem-free and safe journeys. Neglected Maintenance can not only lead to downtimes, but also to the Security endanger the user. Regular inspections and maintenance work should therefore be carried out.
With the Maintenance of lifts is not just about rectifying problems, but also about prevention. Regular inspections can reveal potential problems and enable them to be prevented. A well-maintained system is also more energy efficient and can reduce operating costs.
In addition to mechanical maintenance, safety checks should also be carried out. Compliance with regulations and standards is essential for the Security and should be taken into account for all maintenance.
To emphasise the importance of lift maintenance, the fear of missing a necessary inspection or repair should be enough. We should ensure that we are not putting people or assets at risk or incurring unnecessary costs by taking a proactive stance on lift maintenance.
There are many options for lift maintenance contracts, similar to a Starbucks menu.
Types of lift maintenance contracts
There are different types of contracts that can be used for the maintenance of lifts. There are different categories and details that should be taken into account. An overview of the different types of lift maintenance contracts can be found in the following table.
...
The full maintenance contract includes regular maintenance, repairs and spare parts for a fixed price. The partial maintenance contract only includes certain maintenance services and spare parts for a reduced price. The emergency maintenance contract includes fast response times to emergencies outside regular working hours at an agreed price. Depending on the building and usage, contracts can be additionally customised, for example through warranty extensions or special services such as monitoring systems.
For personalised advice, it is advisable to choose a company with a good reputation for safety and reliability and have a personal discussion with a representative. Preventative strategies for regular maintenance are also recommended to detect problems early, avoid costly breakdowns and ensure a longer lift life. It may seem simple at first glance, but lift maintenance is a complex task.
Basic maintenance of lifts
To ensure the safe operation of lifts, it is important to be aware of the basic maintenance of these machines. This section is about the regular inspection of a lift's safety devices, electrical components and mechanical components. We will explain the importance of each of the three subsections in lift maintenance.
Checking the safety devices
Checking safety devices on lifts is an important aspect of ensuring maximum safety for passengers. Regular testing of emergency call, overload and braking devices is essential to prevent accidents or breakdowns and provide an additional level of protection. Furthermore, all necessary inspection processes should be carried out in accordance with industry guidelines, such as checking the operation of the door locks and interlocks and checking the emergency lighting in the lift.
To ensure this, it is advisable to contact a reliable lift maintenance company. For more information on basic lift maintenance, one can consult a qualified professional or visit a relevant website. To summarise, it is better to have a professional in the field of electrics instead of searching for a needle in a haystack.
Checking the electrical components
It is crucial to check the electronic parts of a lift regularly to ensure that all parts are working properly and to ensure safe operation. During regular maintenance, some important details of the lift's electronic parts should be checked, such as the machine room controls and the door controls. The frequency of inspection depends on the frequency of use and should be either quarterly or monthly. In addition, the car controls should be monitored annually or as required to ensure that all movements are integrated.
It is also important to pay attention to faults or deviations, as these can cause dangerous situations. Regular maintenance and inspections are therefore crucial to eliminate potential problems before serious incidents occur.
In summary, the electronic parts of the lift should be checked regularly to ensure that all parts are working properly and that safe operation is guaranteed. It is important to keep inspection dates and keep the maintenance log up to date, as mechanical components are like the heart of lifts and should be checked regularly to avoid nasty surprises.
Checking the mechanical components
A thorough inspection of the mechanical parts of lifts is necessary to ensure the safe and effective functioning of the system. This can identify potential problems and eliminate risks to passengers. There are some important components that should be examined during such an inspection:
Car and counterweight, wear parts, brake system, rope tension, door drive systems, drive unit or hydraulic pump, motor-gearbox combinations, limit switches and emergency stop switches.
It is important to carry out specific tests to ensure that each part runs smoothly and shows no signs of wear or damage.
The lubrication of all moving parts is another important measure in the maintenance of lifts. This prevents wear and increases the Efficiency. A regular lubrication schedule helps to keep an eye on the condition of the parts and to recognise problems quickly.
According to a US study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unstable or poorly maintained lifts can cause more than 27 deaths every year. That's why checking the mechanical components of lifts is an important aspect of their maintenance. If you've never held on to a stuck lift, you may think that lift maintenance is easy, but it's a crucial factor in passenger safety.
Advanced maintenance of lifts
To carry out advanced lift maintenance, you not only need to know the basics such as Cleaning and lubrication. Three important checks for lifts include the cables and ropeways, the Tax- and monitoring systems as well as the hydraulic systems. In this section, we will look at these checks in detail to ensure that they are in perfect condition and that the lifts can run smoothly.
Checking the cables and cableways
Proper inspection of lift suspension cables and ropeways is an important part of advanced lift maintenance to ensure passenger safety and minimise malfunctions or failures. Various parameters such as tension, elongation, fibre damage and oxidation are monitored and the results are continuously logged to inform future maintenance decisions.
| Parameters | Analysis results | Date & time |
|---|---|---|
| Tension | ... | ... |
| Elongation | ... | ... |
| Fibre damage | ... | ... |
| Oxidation | ... | ... |
In addition to visual inspections on site, specialised equipment can also be used and laboratory tests carried out. A true story underlines the importance of this thorough inspection: a lift went out of control and caused serious injuries due to a broken suspension rope, which could have been prevented by a correct and timely inspection.
Checking the control and monitoring systems
The safety and smooth operation of lifts depends on monitoring and control. A thorough inspection of the systems is essential to ensure this. There are various measures for an effective inspection, such as checking the signalling devices, checking the emergency stop devices, testing the frequency converter and checking the door closing switches. A table can help to gather accurate information and get an overview of the system's condition.
It is important to carry out regular maintenance work and inspections in order to detect and rectify potential problems at an early stage. This will not only ensure the safety of users, but also the long-term life of the lift. To ensure that the system works effectively, all employees should be appropriately trained and equipped with the necessary knowledge to be able to solve potential problems independently.
When checking the hydraulic systems of lifts worthwhile it is worth going into depth.
Checking the hydraulic systems
Checking the hydraulic systems is part of lift maintenance. This involves checking the functionality of the lines, valves and cylinders. In order to carry out a thorough check, several aspects should be considered, including the hydraulic oil level, filter cartridges, seals, control valves and the surfaces of the pipes and cylinders.
Regular maintenance of these systems can prevent potentially dangerous failures from occurring. To ensure that defective parts are recognised and replaced at an early stage, it is important to create a checklist in which all relevant components are listed.
An example of such a failure was found with a blocked control valve in a hydraulic system. After a thorough investigation, the defective valve was replaced and the hydraulic systems were able to function fully again.
Real heroes are at work when it comes to maintaining special lifts. Because it seems that the skills of a superhero are also needed in practice to ensure the safety of these lifts.
Maintenance of special lifts
To ensure the maintenance of specialised lifts in hospitals, fire stations and warehouses, it is important to understand the specific requirements of each type of lift. In this section, we will focus on the maintenance of specialised lifts, including hospital lifts, fire service lifts and goods lifts.
Hospital lifts
The smooth operation of lifts used in hospitals requires regular maintenance. A typical maintenance schedule for so-called "medical lifts" may include the date of the last inspection, replaced parts, repairs and future maintenance requirements. To protect the transport of patients and medical personnel, special safety precautions must be observed in addition to regular inspections. According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a failed lift door in a hospital increased the risk of injury threefold. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6079967/
The statement "Who needs a fire brigade lift when you can simply take off with a burning building?" has no connection with the previous text and is therefore not taken into account.
Fire brigade lifts
Special lifts that are built specifically for firefighting operations require special maintenance. As they must function perfectly in an emergency, regular and thorough maintenance is essential. It is important to ensure that all parts are in good condition to ensure that the lift is operational at all times.
Special maintenance procedures are required to ensure that firefighting lifts function properly. High priority should be given to checking safety equipment and systems to ensure rapid evacuation in the event of an emergency. In addition, all electrical and mechanical components must be checked for proper functioning. The hydraulic and electric motor should also be inspected.
As safety and efficiency are equally important for special lifts such as firefighting lifts, modern technologies and specialists with the relevant expertise should be used. Digital solutions can help to reduce maintenance costs, for example.
Overall, regular inspections are of great importance. When problems arise, they should be addressed and rectified as quickly as possible, even if this involves additional costs. To ensure that your firefighting lifts are always in perfect condition, you should hire a reliable maintenance company and invest in modern technologies to ensure the success of your maintenance strategy.
Finally, it is well known that goods lifts only like one type of staircase - fire escapes.
Goods lifts
The maintenance of goods lifts plays an important role in ensuring that all components are always in perfect condition and that safety mechanisms, such as emergency stop switches and overload protection devices, function properly. A regular inspection of wear on cables, ropes and rope drums is also relevant in order to carry out immediate repairs in the event of damage and to ensure the continuous safe functionality of the lifts. In addition, specific requirements, such as hygiene measures or size and capacity requirements, may apply to certain industries. It is therefore advisable to consult professional lift maintenance services with the appropriate expertise to fulfil these requirements and ensure optimal performance of the equipment.
A study by the Institute of Occupational Safety has shown that over 80% of accidents involving goods lifts are due to human error, emphasising the importance of routine checks. After all, a lift that doesn't work is like a joke without a punchline - frustrating and futile.
What to do if the lift breaks down?
In the event of a lift breakdown, there are certain steps you can take to stay safe and fix the problem as quickly as possible. The following six steps can help:
| Step | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1 | Firstly, you should check whether the power in the building has failed. |
| 2 | You should then press the alarm button in the lift. |
| 3 | It is important to remain calm and not try to get out of the lift on your own or use force against the doors. |
| 4 | Next, you should call the emergency number to get help and provide your location and contact information. It is important to stay in contact with the operator or owner of the building. |
| 5 | You should wait for help and follow all instructions from professionals on site to avoid panic and remain dominant. |
| 6 | While waiting for help, you should be prepared for a possibly longer wait. You should remain calm and be patient. |
It is advisable to carry out regular maintenance and ensure that all emergency telephones in the lift are working. A "lift log" can help to keep track of when the lift was last serviced and who needs to be notified in the event of a breakdown.
In one specific case, a person stuck in a lift was helped within 30 minutes because the emergency calls worked and preventive measures were taken to avoid such incidents in the future. The future to avoid. It is easier to unscrew a lift than to neglect its maintenance.
Planning maintenance work for lifts
Careful planning is essential for the maintenance of lifts to ensure their proper functioning. One method of planning is to create a table with basic information such as the location, model and date of last maintenance. This allows problems to be recognised and rectified at an early stage.
To keep on top of long-term problems or routine maintenance work, a centralised system for monitoring and managing maintenance work should be used in addition to the spreadsheet. Particular attention should be paid to careful planning and execution, as failure to carry out lift maintenance can have serious consequences.
If lifts need a health check, the maintenance subsidy for lifts could probably receive a premium.
Maintenance funding for lifts
Regular maintenance of lifts is crucial for their safe use and longevity. This can minimise downtime and save repair costs. Early repair of minor damage can prevent major damage and ensure the safety of passengers.
In order to develop a successful maintenance strategy, trained specialists should be responsible for this. Both the manufacturer's specifications and the statutory regulations must be taken into account. Maintenance work should be carried out at regular intervals and include a comprehensive check of all the lift's key components, such as ropes, brakes, control technology and hydraulics.
Thoroughly planned maintenance support can help lift systems work more reliably and save costs. This is especially true for companies that rely on lifts or transport a large number of people.
An example from France shows how an improved maintenance strategy can lead to a significant reduction in lift system downtimes and thus increase customer satisfaction. For people who rely on lifts every day, it is particularly annoying when the lift breaks down and the journey to work suddenly turns into a real ordeal.
Conclusion: Lift maintenance is essential.
Regular maintenance of lifts is essential to ensure smooth operation and safety. Neglected lifts can lead to accidents and affect the transport of people and goods. There are many reasons why lift maintenance should be a top priority.
To ensure that a lift is in optimum condition, key systems such as brakes, door mechanisms and electrical circuits need to be checked regularly. The use of specialised technologies and "smart" sensors helps to detect faults and predict replacement or quick repair.
As the constant passage of passengers during the day leads to wear and tear, it is important that professionally trained engineers ensure that all parts are in good condition. There are over 100,000 registered lifts in Germany with an average lifespan of 20-25 years according to statistics from the Bundesverband Deutscher Wohnungs- und Immobilienunternehmen e.V. However, regular maintenance can extend the life of a lift.
Therefore, it is essential for any building owner or landlord to ensure regular maintenance of lifts to provide a higher level of safety and comfort for all who use this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs on the maintenance of lifts
1. how often do lifts need to be serviced?
The maintenance intervals for lifts vary depending on the manufacturer, place of use and degree of utilisation. As a rule, however, experts recommend regular maintenance every 3 to 6 months.
2 Who is responsible for the maintenance of lifts?
In principle, the owner or operator of the building is responsible for the maintenance of the lift. However, to ensure that all legal requirements are met, it is advisable to commission an experienced specialist company to carry out the maintenance.
3 What does lift maintenance involve?
Lift maintenance essentially comprises the inspection of and compliance with legal regulations, the Cleaning and lubrication of the components as well as minor repairs or replacement of spare parts if required.
4. how can I reduce the maintenance costs for my lift?
Regular maintenance can help to avoid the need for major repairs and therefore save costs. In addition, concluding a maintenance contract with a specialist company can reduce maintenance costs, as flat-rate prices or discounts can often be agreed for several lifts.
5. can I carry out maintenance on my lift myself?
No, the maintenance of lifts requires specialised knowledge and experience. For safety reasons, maintenance work may only be carried out by qualified specialist companies.
6. which Advantages offers regular maintenance of my lift?
Regular maintenance increases the safety and reliability of the lift, avoids major repair costs, reduces the risk of failure and extends the service life of the lift.
