Collaboration Between Elevator Constructors’ Union and Survival Systems USA Brings Wind Technology Training to New Heights

The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) has recently worked in collaboration with Survival Systems USA in Groton, CT, to offer Global Wind Organization (GWO) Basic Training to elevator technicians/constructors who install, maintain, service, and repair wind industry equipment. According to Survival Systems, the GWO Basic Safety Training program (GWO-BST) “was created as the safety standard for those working at height in the wind industry. It is globally recognized and ensures that any GWO-BST certificate holder has demonstrated competence and proficiency.”

The United States Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy estimates that the average wind turbine is typically between 300 – 500 feet tall1. That would be a very big ladder for a wind service technician to have to climb to access the nacelle, which is the turbine’s electromechanical system comprised of the generator, turbine shaft, gearbox, and other components. This is a task that must be carried out regularly, as this complex and sensitive equipment requires regular maintenance and occasional repair. In order to make these trips safer and more efficient, a good percentage of wind turbines are equipped with elevators inside their towers. Because these types of elevators are built, maintained, serviced, and repaired by elevator constructors who have been doing this work for 125 years, it was a natural fit for them to continue to work safely on conveyances within this new equipment.

Today, highly-trained elevator mechanics from across the United States not only keep wind turbine elevators running, they do it efficiently, and above all else, safely. IUEC-affiliated companies currently maintain wind turbine elevators from the west coast all the way to the east coast, including those at Deepwater Wind’s trailblazing Block Island Wind Farm, the country’s first commercial offshore wind farm.

Through the new training program at Survival Systems USA, elevator technicians/constructors who work on wind technology equipment become certified in the following areas:

  • GWO BST-1005 Basic Safety Training
  • GWO BST-WAH-1002 Work at Height
  • GWO BST-MH-102 Manual Handling
  • GWO BST-FA-2002 Medic First Aid + Trauma
  • GWO BST-FA-101 Fire Awareness
  • GWO-SS GWO Sea Survival
  • GWO-EFA Enhanced First Aid
  • GWO-ART Advanced Rescue Training

This training is in addition to the four-plus year USDOL-Registered Apprenticeship training program that IUEC members complete through the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP). NEIEP apprenticeship includes eight semesters of classroom instruction along with 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job learning. The intense, safety-focused core curriculum covers all facets of erecting, constructing, installing, altering, testing, repairing, and maintaining elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other related conveyance equipment.

IUEC members’ competencies include:

  • Ability to work at height
  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Ability to follow instruction
  • Analytical skills
  • Ability to work effectively in small teams
  • Self-motivated/directed
  • High/low voltage wiring
  • Control wiring and diagnostics
  • Hydraulics and pipe fitting
  • Electro-mechanics and motors

All of these skills transfer easily to the wind industry.

In addition, during their apprenticeship, IUEC members earn certifications in OSHA 10-hour for General Industry and Construction, American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED, Competent Person training for Framed and Suspended Scaffolding (through the SAIA), and industry-specific crane rigging and signaling. Our CSPR Rigging and Signaling certification is accredited as a 17024 Personnel Certification Program by ANSI and is therefore held to the most rigorous standards in the industry. The process used by ANSI to accredit certification bodies is based on an international standard (ISO/IEC 17011). Adherence to a rigorous internationally recognized accreditation process ensures that the ANSI process conforms to the highest accreditation standard, and represents the best practices in accreditation. ANSI is the only personnel certification accreditation body in the United States to meet nationally accepted practices for accreditation bodies.

All apprenticeship training and continuing education courses, including those conducted at Survival Systems USA in Connecticut, are covered by members’ education benefit, so there are no additional out-of-pocket costs for IUEC members to attend.

Wind power generation is a global industry, and safety is the number one priority for companies operating within this space. Compare the specific skills needed for installation, repair, maintenance, and inspection of wind turbines against the checklist of core competencies of IUEC mechanics –the skills IUEC members master during their training and apply in their work with a broad range of conveyance equipment meet and exceed those required by the wind industry. IUEC mechanics have the education and experience necessary to fulfill the needs of the wind power industry; this new collaboration with Survival Systems USA will equip our mechanics with the specialized skills required to take wind technology to new heights.

1 “Wind Turbines: the Bigger, the Better” Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, accessed January 23, 2023, https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/wind-turbines-bigger-better#:~:text=A%20wind%20turbine’s%20hub%20height,as%20the%20Statue%20of%20Liberty!

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NEIEP Instructor Training Center Brings High-Quality Education to Elevator Constructor Apprentices and Mechanics Across the United States

The International Union of Elevator Constructors’ National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) has recently opened the doors of a brand new, state-of-the-art, 98,000-square-foot instructor training center in Warwick, RI. Conveniently located just a 3-minute drive from Rhode Island’s T.F. Green Airport, the facility will train classroom and distance learning teachers from across the United States.

For more than ten years, Lester White, Department Head of Development has led the NEIEP Development staff in the creation of new courses along with an update of the program’s existing curricula to meet the rapidly-changing needs of the elevator industry. In the video, you will see footage of the new building and hear Lester speak more about the exciting things going on at NEIEP.

It’s not enough to simply write new textbooks – the hands-on learning that takes place in NEIEP classrooms must be taught by instructors who are thoroughly trained in how the complex lab equipment used in NEIEP courses functions, and knowledgeable about the most relevant pedagogical methods for communicating that information to students. To ensure NEIEP instructors are at the top of their game, the program has been bringing them to NEIEP headquarters for training for some time.

Until the NEIEP Instructor Training Center opened its doors in late 2021, instructor training generally took place in hotel conference rooms or at the program’s headquarters building in Attleboro Falls, Massachusetts. As NEIEP grew from a generalized training course to a nationally-recognized, US Department of Labor-Registered Apprenticeship – and went from offering a couple of Continuing Education courses for experienced mechanics to dozens of classroom-based and online courses for journeypersons – physical space at the headquarters building became increasingly limited. Locals all across the country were putting in requests to send their NEIEP instructors to the popular Basic and Advanced Train the Trainer teaching skills programs, as well as training on the specialized lab equipment used in Apprenticeship and Continuing Education courses.

By the mid-2010s, virtually all of these courses were being conducted at airport hotels in Rhode Island. It worked for the most part, but it meant that any scheduling of classroom space had to be done a year or more in advance and that NEIEP’s Development Team had to work around the hotel’s limitations for space and room availability. Plus, all of the lab equipment had to be brought on trucks to and from the hotel, where it was set up and broken down again and again, necessitating additional staff time as well as causing wear and tear on sensitive lab components. After several years of working around these limitations, it became clear that a different solution was needed.

To meet the growing need for instructor training in the elevator industry, NEIEP purchased a new building out by T.F. Green International Airport. Long used as a storage facility for boats, cars, and other equipment, the building was large, sparse, and had tremendous possibility. After working with a local architecture firm that had extensive experience building educational and commercial spaces, final plans for the design of the new NEIEP Instructor Training Center were approved. Construction began in the early months of 2020, just as the country was shutting down in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Amazingly, the team was able to set up a safe environment so that the tradespeople could continue their work on the building in accordance with state, local, and national restrictions, and ultimately finish construction of the project ahead of schedule and under budget.

Today, the NEIEP Instructor Training Center is buzzing with activity. When ElevatorInfo visited, staff from the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund were leading an OSHA 500 course to certify NEIEP instructors to teach OSHA 10 certification courses to Semester 100 and Continuing Education students all throughout the country. In another area of the building, NEIEP instructors were learning how to teach Continuing Education courses using the Valve Simulator, which teaches elevator constructors how to make sensitive adjustments to hydraulic valve equipment in a safe, controlled environment before performing this complicated work in the field. In another classroom, they were being trained on how to conduct courses using new motor labs for a Continuing Education course on Motor Alignment. And in yet another classroom, new teachers were learning about the fundamentals of pedagogy and classroom management in Basic Train the Trainer.

This year, more than a thousand IUEC members will spend time at the facility getting prepared to teach all eight semesters of the Apprenticeship Program and certify elevator constructor apprentices and mechanics in American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED, Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA) Competent Person for Framed and Suspended Scaffolding, forklift operation, and more.

The new NEIEP Instructor Training Center is something every IUEC member should be proud of. It ensures our instructors will continue to be the best-of-the-best, most highly trained and qualified in the elevator trade. Because the quality of our educational offerings is so high, NEIEP credits are recognized as college-level learning and can be converted to up to 58 transfer credits through partnerships with a number of accredited colleges and universities across the United States. And all NEIEP courses are covered by IUEC members’ education benefit, so there are no additional costs for apprentices or mechanics to attend.

If you find yourself in the Ocean State, stop by and visit Lester and NEIEP’s Development team at the NEIEP Instructor Training Center.

For more information about the most comprehensive education program in the elevator industry, check out https://www.neiep.org/bst-Default.aspx.

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Elevator Union Working with Pre-Apprenticeship Nonprofit to Provide Career Paths for Under-Represented Groups

ElevatorInfo recently sat down with Desalia Gomes, a second-year elevator constructor apprentice at @International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local 4 in Boston who got her start through a pre-apprenticeship program for the union building trades at Building Pathways. “Having taken this road is super-exciting. My career is exceptional,” she says.

For several years, IUEC Local 4 has partnered with the Boston-based nonprofit organization to improve recruitment, retention, and advancement strategies for under-represented groups in the elevator industry. For people who are new to the building trades, pre-apprenticeship programs like this one provide a solid foundation in the basics of working in the construction industry.

Building Pathways’ mission is to increase the number of diverse workers in the building trades workforce, particularly women, people of color, and young adults. Their pre-apprenticeship program provides over 200 hours of career readiness and occupational skills training, along with case management and placement services to help their students become competitive applicants during the recruitment process for union construction trades, including electricians, carpenters, bricklayers, sheet metal workers, elevator constructors, laborers, ironworkers, drywall finishers, and more. In addition to teaching them things like how to wear PPE and use basic hand and measurement tools, the program connects students with referrals to community resources including childcare, transportation, and housing. By the time they graduate from training, they’re ready to begin careers in the union building trades.

In the video posted here, Desalia shares the story of how Building Pathways provided an access point for her starting her dream job in the elevator industry. Like many of the people who pursue careers in this trade, Desalia was drawn in by the challenge of developing the wide range of knowledge and advanced skill set that elevator mechanics need to be successful. “I knew I would never be bored,” she says. “You’re going to learn how to put in floors or do carpentry, you’re going to learn how to weld… you have the ability to do all of the different trades.”

The appeal of job growth and new opportunities inside of the elevator trade seem to equally excite her. “I want to make sure I’m not stuck in one place… I want to make sure I have avenues for growth… there is no ceiling here.”

For more information about the Building Pathways pre-apprenticeship program, visit their website at https://buildingpathwaysma.org/pre-apprenticeship-program/

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TK Elevator Prioritizes Worker Safety, Values Strong Relationship with Elevator Union

“The first thing that’s important here at TK Elevator is the safety of the mechanics, and that’s our first priority, always, every day,” says Mary Salvo, service superintendent for IUEC signatory contractor TK Elevator. ElevatorInfo recently met with Mary in Chicago, Illinois, to talk about strategies she uses to ensure the mechanics on her team work safe and make it home to their families at the end of each day.

Working with 12 mechanics out of @IUEC Local 2, Mary knows how important it is to keep safety first and foremost. Whatever TK Elevator’s mechanics need in order to do their jobs – from parts and PPE to help with safety audits – Salvo is there to help. “They call me and tell me they might need an extra person, or they need a part, or whatever the case may be,” she says. “I carry PPE in my truck in bins – whether it be gloves, glasses, hand sanitizer… all the PPE is on the truck. So as I go out, I bring them whatever they may need.”

Prioritizing safety by staying prepared is part of what’s made Mary a valued employee of TK Elevator for the last 17 years. She cited weekly toolbox talks with mechanics that combine company-specific safety training, safety alerts provided by the IUEC, and conversations about how to improve jobsite safety as a way to make sure everyone is focused on working safe. “We have a toolbox talk every Tuesday (to) go over incidents that have happened, and use some of the scripts from the IUEC that they send over letting us know of any accidents…we get phone calls from mechanics who pull out their stop card if they don’t feel that they can do the job safely and require another mechanic.” Having this feedback from the IUEC and mechanics helps Mary guide the discussions to ensure everyone on the team is aware of specific risks they may encounter and knows what steps they need to take to protect themselves, their coworkers, and the riding public.

Because TK Elevator employees received their initial training through the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) – a rigorous, USDOL-registered apprenticeship – they came into the trade with a solid foundational knowledge of the industry’s safest and most well-established work practices. Core classes in elevator industry-specific jobsite safety, along with third-party certifications including OSHA 10, SAIA Competent Person Training for Framed and Suspended Scaffolds, American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED, and an ANSI-accredited certification in Rigging and Signaling ensure that IUEC mechanics have the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to be the safest and most efficient workers in the industry.

As the mechanics’ point of contact with TK Elevator, having a strong relationship with the IUEC is vital. From coordinating toolbox talks to seeking answers about important on-the-job issues, building trusted partnerships between the union and its signatory contractors helps keep things running smoothly and safely.

“The relationship is strong and it has to be strong,” said Salvo. “We’re grateful that we have the IUEC.”

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“I’m a Priority to My Company and My Union,” says TK Elevator Mechanic and IUEC Local 2 Member

The sound of a passing subway car on a set of elevated tracks and the distinct smell of Chicago-style pizza were in the air when ElevatorInfo arrived outside of the brand new, glass-walled structure where @IUEC Local 2 member and @TKElevator mechanic Mike Durkin oversees a variety of conveyance equipment that includes 31 elevators, eight car banks, and two escalators.

We met up with Mike in Chicago to speak with him about his strategies for keeping elevator constructors safe on the job. When we entered the lobby, it was clear right away that this was a place where a lot of activity happens. From customers going in and out of the bakery in the lobby to business clients and building tenants traveling up and down the two big escalators at the front entrance, the building Mike is responsible for was bustling with activity all day long.

One of the first things we noticed was how clean the machine rooms we visited were. The work areas were spotless, with no visible debris, dust, or dirt; no tools out of place, just pristine rooms housing the millions of dollars’ worth of equipment that Mike and the TK team used their expertise to keep running smoothly. “We like to keep our machine rooms clean because a clean workspace is a safe workspace,” he said.

This is especially important in a building with as much activity as his. In a business-centered environment, professionalism and keeping passengers safe is an absolute must. “If the people in this building never think about getting stuck in an elevator, never worry about getting their hand pinched on a handrail or their shoe caught in a comb plate, that means I did my job well,” Mike remarked.

Because he is a graduate of the International Union of Elevator Constructors’ National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP), Mike received the most comprehensive and safety-focused training the industry has to offer. Beginning during the probationary apprenticeship period, NEIEP apprentices are required to complete courses and certifications that will keep them safe through the duration of their careers including OSHA 10, SAIA Competent Person Training for Framed and Suspended Scaffolds, American Heart Association Heartsaver® First Aid CPR AED, in addition to the trade-specific safety training embedded in the general apprenticeship curriculum. As a mechanic, Mike’s education benefits give him the opportunity to enroll in additional safety training through NEIEP such as Arc Flash Safety and Awareness, Confined Space Awareness, and OSHA 30 – all with no out-of-pocket expense.

Working on jobsites that pose as many risks as those in the construction and conveyance world, it is vital for mechanics and apprentices to have the ability to accurately assess potential dangers and know what kind of safety precautions to put in place to mitigate those hazards.
Mike spoke about the importance of having regular toolbox talks each week in addition to the monthly 2-hour continuing education safety standdown his company sponsors. “Every day when I come to the job, I know that I am going to be safe and I know that I’ll be effectively able to manage (to maintain) this building because of the training I received years ago through NEIEP and what I continue to receive on a weekly and monthly basis through TK Elevator,” he said.

Watch the video to learn more about how Mike puts his training into practice to keep himself, his coworkers, and riding public safe.

View NEIEP’s complete course catalog with descriptions of the industry’s top-quality safety and technical training at https://www.neiep.org/Catalog/

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Safety First and Foremost: A Conversation with IUEC Local 25 President & Schindler Mechanic Hector Saldana

When we first met Hector Saldana, president of IUEC Local 25 and Mechanic-in-Charge (MIC) for Schindler Elevator Company at a new construction site just outside of Denver, he’d just geared up with a full set of personal protective equipment (PPE). He immediately asked us to do the same, as we were about to enter an active construction area. “I’ve been in this trade for approximately 17 years. Safety first and foremost for me,” he said.

From just outside the hoistway, he spoke with us about how important it is to have clear, direct communication with all of the mechanics and apprentices on his jobsite. He described weekly toolbox talks with a focus on being proactive as being at the forefront of his strategy. “What I always try to tell them, especially Monday mornings, is, ‘if you see something, say something.’ Don’t leave it for somebody else, especially if it’s a safety concern.”

IUEC Local 25 Denver currently has close to 600 members. Their territory covers all of Colorado, as well as some shared jurisdiction in Wyoming and Nebraska. Members also gather at the Local 25 headquarters in Sheridan, Colorado, to discuss ways to continue to work safely and avoid potential hazards on the job. “We all chit-chat – even though we might not all work for the same company, we work on the same equipment,” Hector said. It’s this shared, open, regular communication that helps keep everyone safe.

Aside from looking out for elevator constructors on the jobsite, Hector was quick to remind us about another responsibility that falls on all people working in the trade – keeping the riding public safe and confident when it comes to using elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other conveyance equipment. “You want the public to come up, just push a button get in, push the other button and get out safely. In and out. It is something we don’t want them ever to even think about.”

Hector emphasized that his most important job as an MIC and leader in his Local is to get his IUEC brothers and sisters home safe at the end of each day. “It doesn’t matter how fast they’re pushing us. They’re always going to push us, but I have to get those elevator constructors back home.”

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Elevator Constructors Develop Innovative Pit Ladder Safety Technology

Several years ago, members of the IUEC Safety Committee and staff from the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund were reviewing on-the-job accidents that had led to fatalities for elevator constructors. A scenario that came up several times was one in which an elevator constructor was struck by a descending car while standing on a pit ladder. In a five-year period, four elevator constructors had been killed and numerous others had been injured in this way.

Committee member Scott Russell, an Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund National Coordinator and IUEC Local 32 member from Atlanta, Georgia, realized he had an opportunity to make a difference by designing a safer pit ladder. If the pit ladder was equipped with an electrical protective device (EPD) that would remove power from the drive machine and brake – preventing the elevator from moving while someone was on the ladder – accidents like this could be avoided. Having sensors on the pit ladder would make it possible for this to happen automatically, without the need for an elevator constructor to remember to set switches manually.

Four prototypes for a safety pit ladder were designed. The first was equipped with an EPD on the access door that would automatically shut the power down as soon as the door was opened. The second was a system of pressure pads that would signal an EPD to interrupt power if weight were detected on any of the ladder’s rungs. The third used an EPD that would be activated by any vertical movement of the ladder. The fourth incorporated light-sensing technology for object detection means (e.g., photo eye, light ray, light curtain, etc.) that would shut power down if a photosensor was tripped.

Once the prototypes had been finished and an effective ladder design had been finalized, Scott transferred the rights to develop the technology to the team at the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund for five dollars to ensure it could be moved to production as quickly and easily as possible. He then worked with ASME code committees to develop a requirement for using this technology in elevator installations. The most recent update for the ASME A17.1-2022/CSA B44:22 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators now requires sensors to be used on newly-installed pit ladders.

At the end of the day, safety must always be the top priority. Working in the elevator industry will always involve some risk, so we must do everything in our power to work safe every day. The innovative new technology of the Safety Pit Ladder will help elevator constructors across the country do just that.

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Chicago Elevator Constructors Celebrate 125 Years & Look Forward to 125 More

International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local 2 recently hosted its anniversary gala at the Westin Chicago Northwest. Elevator constructors, company representatives from Otis, TK Elevator, and Cabworks Custom Elevators, distinguished retirees, and others gathered to celebrate 125 remarkable years.

Chicago elevator constructors are the individuals who helped shape – and today, maintain – one of the world’s most extraordinary skylines. The Chicago Charter of the International Union of Elevator Constructors since March 12, 1897, today Local 2 proudly represents more than 1,300 members.

IUEC Local 2’s members are some of the most respected men and women in the industry. They are well known for working together to fight for the working people of Illinois. What’s more, they understand the importance of serving one’s community – and demonstrate their commitment to making the world a better place by hosting an annual golf outing to fund diabetes research and supporting Chicago-based nonprofit Toy Box Connection.

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Elevator Union Showcases World-Class Educational Program in Austin

NEIEP Austin

The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) recently joined the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) and IUEC Local 133 in Austin, Texas to highlight the central role the union’s education and training program plays in creating pathways to fulfilling careers in the elevator industry.

“In the elevator trade, there is no training in the same league as the National Elevator Industry Educational Program,” said Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Aguilar. “Men and women enrolled in NEIEP have access to the industry’s premier apprenticeship program – which helps them become the safest, most highly-skilled apprentices and elevator constructors in vertical transportation.”

Attendees ranged from IUEC members and lawmakers – including members of the Austin City Council – to representatives from the Texas Building Trades Council and the Texas AFL-CIO. Companies like TK Elevator, Otis, and Schindler, as well as three independent companies, were also in attendance.

Texas House Member Gina Hinojosa (District 49) and newly elected U.S. House Representative Greg Casar (District 35) took time out of their hectic schedules to visit the fair, tour each station, and talk with instructors about hands-on training and education opportunities in the organized elevator trade.

“Union apprenticeship programs create meaningful opportunities for working people throughout the Lonestar State,” said Representative Hinojosa. “IUEC members are the safest, most talented workers in the elevator industry; their NEIEP training really sets them up for success.”

“Visiting the NEIEP fair was nothing short of impressive,” said Congressman-elect Greg Casar. “As I traveled from station to station, it was clear that IUEC members go through world-class, thorough training, making union elevator constructors the best and brightest in the industry.”

With a combination of hands-on classroom and computer-based instruction, along with 8,000 hours of on-the-job learning under the supervision of an experienced mechanic, the IUEC’s apprenticeship program gives workers new to the trade all the skills they need to be successful elevator constructors. Once they complete their apprenticeship and pass a capstone Mechanic Exam, they go on to build and maintain the complex and varied conveyance systems in our nation’s most striking skylines. And as mechanics, they keep their skills sharp through dozens of online and in-person continuing education courses they can enroll in through NEIEP.

“On behalf of the more than 1,800 union elevator constructors in Texas, the NEIEP event in Austin was a great success,” said IUEC Organizer Clarence Baker. “We wanted lawmakers, companies, and others to come in and witness what it takes to become a union elevator constructor – and we did just that. From safety to electrical, each course is critical and, frankly, invaluable. Attendees saw firsthand how the knowledge and skills IUEC members take away from their four years at NEIEP ensure they are the most talented and safest workforce, and when it comes to safety, our members not only prioritize the safety of themselves and their colleagues but also that of the men, women, and children who ride elevators and escalators every day.”

The all-day event took place at the Hilton Austin, a hotel whose employees were recently organized and are now members of UNITE HERE.

“At NEIEP’s core, we are all about safety. Everything we teach and everything we do is to help apprentices stay safe at work,” said NEIEP’s Head of Development, Lester White. “Without education and training, how can employers expect any worker to feel safe on the job? Graduates of NEIEP know this complex field inside and out. What’s more, they know that nothing comes before safety – their own safety and that of the riding public.”

 

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Why Is Periodic Elevator Maintenance Important

elevator maintenance

As a building owner, scheduling periodic elevator maintenance checks on your properties is crucial to ensuring a safe ride for your passengers. Simple, routine maintenance checks performed by professional elevator mechanics can prolong elevator life and reduce energy waste, providing a smoother, safer travel experience while saving you time and money.

Routine elevator maintenance will keep your equipment clean, minimizing the chance of fire hazards while alerting building owners to any components that need to be replaced or refurbished. Ultimately, these checks ensure safety for you and your passengers.

Preventative Elevator Maintenance

Elevator breakdowns can lead to unanticipated downtime, serious injury, or worse – a catastrophic event. Preventative maintenance aims to mitigate issues with machinery through regular upkeep.

The mechanics responsible for checking the elevators will look for any critical signs of wear and tear, faults, or other problems that could impede an elevator’s proper function. They will identify damaged or worn-out parts, lubricate machinery and make adjustments or tunings to the equipment.

Preventative elevator maintenance, if done correctly, improves elevator services by ensuring your equipment runs better and lasts longer – with fewer calls to elevator repair companies to fix issues that could have been prevented.

Prolonged Elevator Life

The life expectancy of an elevator installation depends mainly on its type and intended use. Generally speaking, if an elevator is more than 20 years old, it can be considered an appropriate candidate for elevator modernization. Elevators typically end their cost-effective lives somewhere after 20 to 25 years.

Several variables are involved regarding the life expectancy of an elevator install. At the top of the list are environmental factors, service type, and changes in technology. The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) recommends mandatory maintenance checks to increase your elevators’ lifespans. Elevators without regular checks may need to be modernized within their first decade of use. For building owners, this means that instead of modernizing elevator(s) based on investment, they will have to do so out of necessity.

Increased Cost Efficiency

Maintenance checks can also help optimize the energy consumption of your building’s elevator equipment. There is a range of cost-effective solutions you can choose from to optimize aging elevator equipment, ensuring energy efficiency and significantly reducing your building’s energy costs.

Probably the best time-saving, efficient method to improve the overall reduction of elevator energy costs (up to 70%) is installing regenerative drives. These can be added to existing systems, allowing the elevator’s generated energy to be fed back into the building’s power grid and used by other loads connected to the same network. Other ways to improve energy efficiency include replacing tube lights inside the elevator car with LEDs and adding modern, energy-efficient door operator systems and other equipment.

Ultimately, routine elevator maintenance checks by qualified, capable elevator mechanics can dramatically reduce your building’s electricity bills.

Improved Elevator Travel Times

Over time, elevator travel times can seem longer, which can slowly begin to inconvenience your tenants, employees, or customers. Routine elevator inspection and maintenance checks can improve travel speed and acceleration, allowing passengers to enjoy more comfortable and faster elevator travel.

An Elevator Inspection Will Save Time and Money

You can significantly extend your elevators’ lifespans by following scheduled maintenance checks. Failing to keep elevators adequately maintained and serviced will ultimately incur downtime and elevator repair costs.

Sticking to a schedule of regular elevator maintenance checks by qualified elevator mechanics can help you avoid costly losses, saving you time and money.

A Safer Ride for Your Passengers

You must keep your building’s elevators in excellent operating condition to ensure a safe ride for your tenants, employees, or customers. Safety is the primary reason for performing routine elevator maintenance for your properties – this should be a top priority for every building owner.

All elevator installation and maintenance checks must be done only by qualified elevator mechanics. Unqualified workers may cut corners during the job and fail to do a complete and thorough inspection.

If you are looking for exceptional maintenance for your building’s elevators, contact an International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) affiliated elevator company and benefit from the best-qualified elevator union labor force in the industry.

Visit www.elevatorinfo.org/elevator-customers/ for assistance finding an elevator maintenance provider in your area.

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