Elevator preventative maintenance – City of Chicago

Over the last several weeks we have been to many buildings in the City of Chicago visiting older elevator equipment.   I was reviewing a portfolio of buildings that need pricing for maintenance agreements, violations and mandate work and when going through this on Saturday night I saw some interesting items.

As elevator professionals it is our job to do the best we can with the equipment we are maintaining.  As elevator companies we are to guide building owners to the correct decisions on a good maintenance program for the building and give mechanics time to complete maintenance.  As building owner you are responsible for contracting with the responsible vendor and take recommendations for equipment replacement and a good maintenance program.

I’m not sure where the ball dropped on these buildings but it is apparent someone fell asleep at the wheel.  Some of these situations do not happen over night it is years in the making.

[Pit full of water or oil]

Take away

Building owners – Hire a responsible elevator contractor, least expensive is not always the best.  Most expensive is not always best.

Elevator companies – Make sure the elevator mechanics have time to complete elevator maintenance at buildings.

Elevator professionals – If the company gives you time to do elevator maintenance, do something with the time. If you do not have time to do maintenance and want to do maintenance.  Find a company who will give you time to do maintenance.

While the three points above appear to be black and white, please note there are so many variables for each entity that throw a wrench in the simple formula.  Building owners had a good elevator company whose management changes[and it becomes a not so good company], elevator companies have personnel changes, elevator professionals get over burdened with broken elevators or encounter strange problems that occupy more time than anticipated to repair. 

If you have any questions or would like information from Colley Elevator you can go to www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.