Poor elevator portfolio maintenance

We went to a building to do a takeoff on a elevator for modernization last week and at a College and saw some concerning items.  We as elevator contractors see great opportunity when going to a campus with many elevators.  We also see competitive pressures that drive us to be creative in bidding to get the maintenance agreement.   I found the following on this specific elevator.  The incumbent maintenance contractor has been at this campus for over 10 years.

Get this out of the machine room College!

No jumpers sign on the controllers.  This is a generally accepted good idea and a part of the elevator code. 

 Perhaps we didn't see the sign on the controller

 It has been many years since the head was wiped off

                               It has been many years since car top has been cleaned 

Good elevator maintenance practices will reduce shut downs, prolong equipment life, allow for easier future maintenance and increase the safety of the elevator equipment.  You will not make a immediate return by performing proper maintenance but in the long term there is a benefit for all parties.  

The problem with public bids is that usually the low price comes with the lowest level of service. So perhaps the building doesn't want to pay for a good maintenance program, perhaps the elevator contractor doesn't allow the time for the elevator mechanic to complete elevator maintenance, or perhaps the elevator mechanic is complacent and uses this group of buildings to pad time.  This idea is something the building owner, elevator contractor and elevator maintenance tech all need to have buy in for.  

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.