Are Your Elevators Both Compliant and Operating Safely?
With elevators being an integral part of our everyday lives, it is of utmost importance for manufacturers and operators of lifting systems to ensure that their elevators are designed according to safety and compliance standards as well as regularly maintained.
Check out these 5 pointers to note when ensuring the safety and compliance of your elevators!
- ⬜️ Ensure that elevator inspections are conducted at least once a year.
Typically when an elevator is first installed, a full inspection is required, after which it should be conducted annually or biannually to ensure smooth operations. Elevator inspections are vital to ensuring complete safety and compliance, and are not to be substituted with regular maintenance. During an elevator inspection, make sure to conduct elevator tests to check if the elevator is operation at its maximum efficiency and is in a good enough condition to carry its maximum weight capacity. In properties and buildings where heavy cargo is often transported, this process is especially important. Once the elevator inspection has successfully concluded, a certificate of operation will be issued, and we recommend posting it inside the elevator.
- ⬜️ Ensure that elevator maintenance checks are conducted routinely.
Regular maintenance is the key to ensuring that your elevator passes its inspection checks and is certified as compliant with safety standards. During maintenance, potential issues or matters requiring attention will surface and the necessary steps will be taken to repair them so that further damage can be prevented. This also helps building managers save costs in the long run as taking a proactive preventive approach towards servicing the elevator ensures that tenants and operations are not disrupted from sudden issues. Most of all, regularly maintaining your elevators will expand their lifespan. We recommend that building managers always keep the condition of their elevators in mind and evaluate if upgrades and improvements are due.
- ⬜️ Ensure that the elevator machine room is secure.
As the machine room is designed to contain machinery responsible for operating the elevator, it is crucial the self-closing and locking mechanisms are in place and functioning so that no untrained or unauthorized personnel can access the room. The room’s accessibility should be prioritised and made convenient for elevator technicians. This means that the room should not be used for storing janitorial equipment such as buckets and mops as these objects will pose as obstacles and fire hazards. Additionally, storing flammable materials like paint and industrial cleaning fluids is unsafe.
- ⬜️ Don’t forget about your elevator units!
Regular maintenance will reveal issues with broken or faulty lighting, unsanitary or unhygienic spots, water or debris, and any malfunction in crucial operations such as the emergency bell or fire recall service.
- ⬜️ Get a big picture understanding of your elevator.
Knowing the most common issues your elevator runs into will help develop solutions and systems that allow you to you pre-empt them and take the appropriate measures to prevent them from occurring or fix them before the damages escalate alongside repair costs. If your last elevator maintenance was quite some time ago, you might face issues such as contamination in your elevator oil and lubrication, worn elevator sheaves, and malfunctioning elevator motor bearings – all of which can result in costly repairs. These issues can be avoided by regularly checking the oil of the elevator for metal and replacing it routinely and installing inductive absorbers or replacing bearings regularly.
🔎 Elevator Inspection Checklist Essentials
It’s always better to have a fixed structure and system for checking your elevators.
Here’s a checklist to help you ensure that your safety and compliance standards are adhered to and that no components of elevator maintenance are missed out!
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- Ensure the doors are functioning smoothly
- Look for damage on the ceiling, handrails, and walls
- Ensure adequate lighting and replace any damaged lights
- Ensure that safety shields are installed over light fixtures
- Ensure that the elevator’s maximum capacity is indicated clearly
- Ensure that the emergency phone is connected to the relevant emergency hotlines
- Ensure that the elevator is free of noises and vibration while in operation
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- Replace any lights that have burned out at each floor
- Inspect the door panels and clearances
- Test the smoke detector and fire alarm system
- Ensure that elevator landings are well-maintained
- Ensure that there are clear signs instructing people not to use the elevator in case of a fire
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- Test the smoke detector and fire alarm system
- Check oil levels and ensure all systems are properly lubricated
- Examine electrical wiring for signs of fraying or defects
- Make sure there is adequate headroom for technicians
- Remove objects that interfere with access to the equipment
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- Ensure the emergency exit hatch is easily accessible
- Test the brakes and inspect the mechanism to ensure it is in good condition
- Check cables for signs of wear
- Look for signs of rodents or vandalism
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- Ensure the area remains easily accessible
- Inspect the pit to ensure it has the necessary clearance
- Check the car frame any damage
Ensure the Compliance and Safety of Your Elevators with TÜV Rheinland
Manufacturers and operators of lifting systems must be confident that their elevator constructions are designed and maintained to safely and reliably carry people, freight or equipment. All standardized regulatory mandates must also be met to avoid penalties.
As an authorized inspection service provider, TÜV Rheinland can perform the comprehensive series of inspections legally required of your specific type of elevator. We are also ready to assist in matters related to elevator design, construction and modification as well as provide training courses for elevator operators
- Safeguard your investment and reduce operational expenses through early detection of issues
- Help you meet deadlines and supervise maintenance with our dependable inspection management solutions
- Receive thorough inspection report including recommendations for further action
- Be your unbiased partner acting as a liaison for third parties, for example informing government agencies when need be
- Tap on our global expert network which is easily reachable and available at short notice
With the support of our experts, you can rest assured that your elevators are both compliant and operating safely.
📧 Take advantage of our expertise and make your appointment today!