As lift consultants, we can’t stress enough the importance of adopting the appropriate level and frequency of lift maintenance for your lifting equipment. Maintaining your lift is not just a matter of convenience; it is a crucial aspect of building management that ensures operational reliability.
What is lift maintenance?
Lift maintenance is a proactive approach that focuses on the routine inspection, servicing, and repair of lifts.
Drawing on similarities between a lift and a car is helpful to better understand lift maintenance. When you think about servicing a car, i.e., oil changes, brake checks and tyre replacements, a lift is not too dissimilar in that it requires consistent upkeep to function efficiently and safely. Here are some comparisons to consider:
- Motor (machine): similar to a car engine, the lift’s motor needs to be in good working order to ensure smooth operation.
- Brakes: lift brakes, like car brakes, must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure safety.
- Electronic controller: like a car’s computer system, this component manages its operations by processing commands and coordinating movements.
- User controls and doors: these components are subject to wear and tear and need regular maintenance to ensure user safety and reliability.
Why is lift maintenance important?
Having a structured maintenance plan is vital for ensuring that a lift operates efficiently, safely and reliably. There are several reasons why this is the case.
Compliance with Regulations
Making sure that your lift is in good and safe working order is essential to ensuring compliance. Lifts must adhere to safety and operational regulations, including:
- The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
- The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
- The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
A maintenance plan can contribute to ensuring your lift meets the requirements of the above, helping to avoid issues which could lead to litigation and potential fines.
Extending the lifespan of your equipment
Regular maintenance helps extend the operational life of your lift. Much like a well-serviced car, a well-maintained lift can continue to perform reliably for many years. For instance, a new electric traction lift can last around 20 years, provided it receives proper care throughout its lifecycle.
Preventing breakdowns and costly repairs
Routine inspections and preventive measures can help identify and address potential issues before they become major problems. This proactive approach can save significant costs associated with emergency repairs and unexpected downtime.
What types of lift maintenance packages are available?
Lift maintenance packages vary widely, with contractors offering different plans, each with their own specific inclusions (and sometimes, more importantly, exclusions). You will rarely find two contractors offering identical plans.
There is no one-size-fits-all maintenance programme, but the typical lift maintenance packages on the market include:
Basic
A basic level lift maintenance contract is the cheapest form of maintenance and includes a specified number of routine service visits, basic adjustments, and lubrication of components. Callouts, repairs, all materials, etc are chargeable.
Intermediate
An intermediate level maintenance contract includes a specified number of routine service visits and generally allows for some callouts and basic repairs. Depending on the specific contract in place, out-of-hours callouts, major repairs, and any required parts would be chargeable. There would be a significant level of exclusions.
Comprehensive
This service plan includes a set number of routine service visits and typically covers all lubrication, adjustments and callouts. It usually allows for the replacement of parts and may include out-of-hours callouts, repairs and parts as needed. However, despite its name, the plan may still have a significant number of exclusions.
Bespoke comprehensive
A bespoke comprehensive contract is tailored to meet each client’s specific needs. It includes a specified level of routine service visits and typically provides for 24/7 callouts and repairs, including parts replacement. Key performance indicators are clearly outlined and must be met by the lift maintenance contractor. Although this type of contract may be more expensive than others, it generally offers better value for money and can lead to significant cost savings since there are no exclusions.
Is it more cost-efficient to have a basic maintenance package?
Having a well-maintained lift doesn’t need to be costly; in fact, it can be a cost-saving measure in the long run. While a cheaper basic package may, at first glance, appear most attractive, this can often prove to be a false economy.
Charges for replacement parts, which may not be included within a basic package, can increase the total cost above that of the mid or higher-end policy. This is especially true if the lift to be maintained is old or in a worn state where components are likely to be reaching the end of their service life.
The situation can often be aggravated further due to insufficient preventative maintenance visits offered under the basic contract. Fewer maintenance visits can mean fewer opportunities to:
- identify worn parts
- adjust ageing components, or
- prevent future failures.
Which type of lift maintenance package should you choose?
Selecting the right maintenance package for your lift can help prevent future failures and save you significantly more than just the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive options.
Keeping to the analogy of a car, much like different car models have varying maintenance needs, lifts also vary based on their type, design, manufacturer and usage. When determining the level of maintenance cover for a lift, it’s necessary to take into consideration the following:
- Intensity of use
- Operating environment
- Variety of operations
- Risk to health and safety
- Risk to building operations in the event of malfunction or failure
Evaluating your lift’s age, condition and usage is a crucial step in choosing a lift maintenance package, and it always pays to seek expert advice.
At ILECS, our expert lift consultants are dedicated to helping you find the perfect balance between maintenance cost and coverage for your lift. By thoroughly assessing your lift’s condition, we provide tailored recommendations that ensure you receive exceptional value for your investment. Additionally, we offer expert guidance on enhancing your lift’s operational reliability.
Regular lift maintenance is essential for ensuring your lifting equipment’s safety, reliability and longevity. By investing in a well-structured maintenance plan, you can prevent costly repairs, and extend the life of your equipment. Get in touch today and trust us to deliver a solution that fits your needs while safeguarding performance and safety.