When is it time to modernize elevator equipment?

As an elevator contractor that has been in business for 108 years we have a variety of elevators we regularly maintain from brand new to 80 years old.  We deal with a variety of customers from office buildings, apartment buildings, condos, municipalities, etc.

Over the last several weeks I have been sending out many modernization proposals for elevator systems.  We tend to only encourage buildings that are in need of modernization to replace their equipment.  “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.  But we will let a building know that they need to budget for the equipment replacement and when they start to see signs it may be time to begin the process of modernization.

When it is it time to modernize? – If elevator equipment is over 20 years old you should be talking to your elevator maintenance provider to see what life is left on the equipment.   If you have a sleepy elevator in a church or a 3 story condominium, the elevator could run 40+ years.  If you have a building that is very high traffic and only installed one elevator when the building should have had two, well you may need to prepare sooner than later.  Ask questions, get informed.  An elevator contractor can typically repair the elevator system but the question is how often do you want to see your elevator be out of service?  As a contractor we should always have the best intention in repairing the elevator to the best of our ability.  Always remember, while rare, there is a chance the elevator system will not operate again if there is a safety issue or no parts available. 

Questions to ask yourself about your elevator – How old is the elevator?  What environment is it in?  How much use does the building get?  How dependent is the building on the elevator? Are parts still available for the elevator?  Is there technical support still available for the elevator?

Many times as a contractor working on an older elevator we are going to the bone yard to fine parts to repair the elevator system.  While it will get the elevator back up and running you need to know that these are used parts.  They are used parts from an elevator that most likely got replaced because or reliability issues.

Here are a few examples of some scenarios

Building #1 – Elevator is from the mid to late 1960’s, it is a Madison control system, the elevator was shut off due to being unreliable and has been for many years.  It is a high traffic building that relies heavily on the elevator system.  This elevator should have been replaced 15-20 years ago.  Now they have no choice but to modernize.

[I got a headache when I saw this one]

Building #2 – Elevator was installed in the early 1970’s, turned the building to office condos, sold the office condos but did not touch the elevator system. New owners bear the burden of the elevator system. Elevator runs well, some issues, but an inspector found a newly installed sprinkler system in.  This requires fireman’s recall and flashing hat.  The building is not high traffic and the elevator runs well. Building had recommendations to replace everything; they choose someone to install an auxiliary fire panel to save the building money.  While not in my opinion the correct decision the building is going to save a few dollars short term and will eventually have to replace the system in the next 5-10 years, maybe sooner.  This is one that is on the bubble on the decision making process and I didn’t think there where many people who would try and install a auxiliary panel on a 40 year old elevator but an Intergalactic company said they would give it a shot.

[Auxiliary fire panel to be installed in lieu of modernization]

Building #3 – Elevator was installed in the mid 70’s in a medium traffic building that is highly reliant on the elevator.  Relay bases are losing elasticity and relays are falling out, equipment is getting worn out.  Building received modernization information and moved forward.

What is the difference between all the buildings?   The main difference is the interest in the building; 1 was privately owned, 1 was jointly owned and 1 was a condominium.  All had different obstacles, all had different outcomes.   The most important thing you as a building owner can do is to be prepared with information and costs.  No building owner regardless if nursing home or condominium wants to spend money without merit.  It is the job of the elevator contractor to educate the building owner about their elevator systems and when they need to complete work.  Once it hits the desk of the building owner it is out of the contractors hands but at least you know you informed your customer.

I had a meeting in 2004 at a building whose elevators where installed in 1964.  The elevators where in bad condition in 2004 but the condo choose to wait.  The elevators are still running, not well, but they are still going.  If this is acceptable to the building owners there isn’t much we as a contractor can do, you can take their maintenance and shutdown money or not renew their contracts.  We still remind the building that they need to replace their equipment and when there is a streak of unreliability we can say “hey, you still need to replace your equipment”.  The building understands they have old equipment and have accepted the associated shut downs.

When it is it time to modernize? – Two take aways; when you feel the life expectancy of the elevator system is coming to an end and when you have funding.  Replace the equipment before you get tired of the elevator being out of service on Saturday at 8am and you have to pay overtime or wait until the following Monday for service. Be prepared, proactive is better than reactive.  Work with the elevator contractor on a time line and cost of the work. If you can't afford the modernization now, you can start planning and budgeting. 

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.