safety, technology and aesthetics. This must be done every so often to ensure your systems are optimized and you’re providing the best value to your tenants, employees, patients, guests, residents and more.
It’s inevitable: parts with your elevator will break down and require repair or replacement. Staying on top of those developments is key. Sometimes upgrades are required because certain parts become obsolete. Whatever the case, your goal should be to enhance the safety and reliability of your elevator equipment while increasing value of the entire building.
Here are some things you can do to upgrade your elevator and why they may be needed.
Common Upgrades
When planning your elevator modernization project, you may want to keep these common components in mind.
1. Door Equipment
- More efficient door speeds
- Improves passenger safety
- Electronic door reopening device
- Reduces operating noise
- Enhances aesthetics
2. Controllers
- Complies with emergency fire services
- Increases energy efficiency
- Quicker response times
- Accurate floor leveling
- Increases rider comfort
3. Cab Enclosures
- Meets American with Disabilities Act (ADA) codes
- Improves comfort of passengers
- Low-voltage lighting: more energy efficient
4. Signaling Equipment
- ADA-compliant
- Upgrades emergency lighting and/or communication systems
- Better aesthetics
- Vandal resistance
5. Traction
- Boosts efficiency
- Eliminates DC motor generator; replaces with more efficient AC design
- Improves braking
- Increases up-direction protection
- Enhances ride quality
- Meets codes
6. Hydraulic Power Unit
- Reduces overheating issues
- Improves elevator performance
- Reduces noise and vibration
- Provides energy savings
- Provides more accurate floor leveling
Red Flags
Check out these red flags that signal you need to make upgrades:
- Elevators isn’t in compliance with latest codes.
- You have no recollection of when last updates were made.
- Passenger complaints have increased re: strange noises, malfunctions, discomfort while riding, and uneven floor leveling.
- Passenger wait times are much too long.
- Approved use and building zoning codes have changed since elevator installation.
- Unit is more than 10 years old.
- Passenger needs are not being addressed.
- Elevator gets too overcrowded.
- Frequent repairs have become necessary.
- Reduced rental and property values.
Why is Elevator Modernization So Critical?
We touched on it above, but elevator modernization essentially ensures the safety of all passengers, while allowing you to incorporate the latest smart technology, whereby your system can be synced to other smart systems so everything gets to work in tandem. This helps you as the property manager, as you won’t have to pay for so many repairs and replacements, and it gives you a good knowledge of how your elevator is doing in real time.
So what’s a good rule of thumb in regards to how often you should modernize? Take into consideration:
- Elevator manufacturer
- Level of maintenance over the years
- How much heavy use the elevator receives on a daily basis
- Working conditions
Most elevators will last you about 20 years with little problem, and some last 50. But most will need some level of major service after 10 years.
Contact Mowrey Elevator
Do you need maintenance and repair? Are you looking to buy new components for your elevator? Just contact us today. We can help with your modernization efforts.