Monday, May 27, 2024

Elevator Maintenance – Hydraulic Elevator - Car Tops

 


We are going to do a series on how an elevator should be maintained.  Though all elevator companies have a different process for maintenance, each should have a specific Maintenance Control Plan (MCP) in the elevator machine room for every elevator they have under maintenance.  Each of Colley Elevator’s 2500+ elevators has a book on how that elevator is to be maintained, more importantly this is a code requirement to have in the machine room.

A typical elevator maintenance visit should take 20-35 minutes if everything is in good working order and clean.  If the elevator technician has to make adjustments, equipment replacements or clean, the maintenance visit will be longer.  These tasks are only to be completed by licensed elevator personnel. 

If your elevator company is coming to your building and only spending 6 minutes a month, or so infrequently you do not know when they actually come, they may not be maintaining your elevator correctly.

Frequency of visits – Every building has a different requirement for actual maintenance visits.  Over the years we have seen flat maintenance pricing driven by OEM multinational companies removing the most important and expensive part of elevator maintenance from the equation; the labor.  We have gone from monthly visits for each elevator to quarterly to “as needed”, “systematic”, or “periodic” visits.   The basis of how much time per elevator that is needed is based on elevator type, equipment, environment and use among other variables.  A building with 6 residential units installed in 2010 needs different maintenance than a building with 30 residential units installed in 1995.  We still have code requirements to check, such as exercising and documenting the phone and firemen recall every month.

Remote monitoring/maintenance devices – There is a newer trend that larger OEM companies have so they can “monitor” elevator systems.  We are not convinced that this “monitoring” actually captures any maintenance information or can perform maintenance tasks.  If you read below, you will see what items a monitoring device on your elevator controller can complete.  I am not seeing many; most still require a mechanic.

This post will focus on steps for elevator car top maintenance.

4.1 Stop switch

After obtaining permission, post car out of service signs and follow the procedures in the elevator industry field employee's safety handbook.  Before entering the top of car, place the stop switch in the off position.  Then allow the doors to close and verify that the car will not run.

4.2 Top of car operating device and light

Examine the top of car operating device and test for proper operation.  Any needed repairs must be made to the top of car operating device, stop switch and light before proceeding with other maintenance.  Always maintain the guard on the top of car light.  If the guard is missing, it must be replaced.  Make any necessary repairs.

4.3 Cleanliness

Clean all debris and any oil stains or puddles from the car top. Never store anything, including tools, parts or lubricants, on the car top. Verify that the top of car exit is secured so that it cannot be opened from the inside of the car.

4.4 Top of car guides

Examine roller guide tire conditions as well as fit and alignment with the rails.  Examine and adjust rollers for firm contact with the rails so they can be barely turned by hand. Lubricate the pivot bushing with a couple of drops of machine oil through the hole in the housing.

4.5 Guide rails

Examine the guide rails for loose fastenings and fit at the joints.

4.6 Selector tape

Examine the stationary selector tape by shining a flashlight beam parallel with the tape and sighting to detect any bends or cracks.  Examine the sensor guides on stationary tape for wear.  If the guide groove is twice the width of the tape thickness, it should be replaced.  Examine the magnets on the tape for grime buildup or materials that may interfere with their operation.

4.7 Traveling cables

Examine the traveling cables for wear, chafing, kinking and alignment.  Examine attachment points for secure fastening and looseness.  Examine for chafing points, i.e. beams, bolts, rough wall, etc.  If found, protect as necessary.  Examine the automatic tightening means for slippage of the cable through the grips.

4.8 Door operator

Examine door operator for:

            a. Loose parts including all fastenings

            b. Lubrication in gear reducer and shaft bearings; use Mobil ADT machine oil

            c. Condition and tightness of "V" belts

            d. Setting of screws, keys and pulleys that have been moved out of position

            e. Clean the drive chain with brush to remove dust accumulation.  If necessary, lubricate lightly at the sprocket with special chain lubricant[White lightning]. Wipe off excess.

            f. Condition of cams and switches

            g. Clean control boards, cams, etc with brush and vacuum

            h. Door operator motor brushes and condition of commutator

            i. Sound isolation mounting for damage, if used

4.9 Door hangers, locks, etc.

            a. Attempt to open hoistway door without unlocking to verify that the interlock is functioning properly.

            b. Move the interlock pick up and manually open the door. Then verify that it will close when released at any position.

            c. With the door open, attempt to move the car using top of car operating device.

            d. Manually open the door and allow it to close to observe any roughness in the roller bearings, tires or tracks. Also listen for noise that may indicate dragging or binding.

            e. Check the upthrust clearance and adjust for .0008 inches clearance.

            f. Visually examine the upthrust, hanger and relating cables for damage and need for adjustment.

            g. Note the overlap of door panels, the door frame and multiple speed panels when the door is closed. It should be at least 5/8". Worn or missing resilient stops, adjustments or relating devices can affect the overlap. Adjust and/or replace resilient stops as needed.

            h. Move the car down and examine the sill guides for wear, looseness and damage. Tighten the mounting brackets when necessary. Verify that the guides and metal parts engage the sill track at least 1/4 inch.  Also, verify that the clearance between the bottom of the door panel and sill is less than 3/8 inch and that the panels are not dragging on the sill.

            i. Examine the astragals for wear and damage

            j. Examine the sight guards for damage and secure fastening to the door panels

            k. Examine the fascia plate fastenings for tightness

            l. Examine door closing device, including air cord and attachments, for fraying and damage.

            m. Attempt to move the bottom panel open. It should move no more than one inch per panel with 30 lb. If it moves more, the upthrust roller probably needs to be adjusted to run closer to the track.  The clearance between the upthrust roller and the track should be adjusted to .0008 inch.

            n. Examine the hoistway door unlocking device brackets and tabs for proper position.

4.10 Car fan

Clean car ventilation and fan opening. If necessary, remove the fan and clean the blades or squirrel cage. At six months, place one drop of oil on each end of the fan motor shaft.

4.11 Hoistway cleaning

Clean dirt and trash from all horizontal surfaces including car and entrance sills. Pick up large pieces with a dustpan and brush. Use a shop vacuum to remove small items and dirt when necessary. Do not clean by blowing the trash. Be on the lockout for any hazardous objects or materials in the trash. Dispose of the trash in the building garbage.

4.12 Other

Note and report any problems with or within the hoistway that should be addressed such as:

            a. Unauthorized equipment installed in the hoistway such as electrical wiring, telephone wiring, grounding from roof antennas, antenna wiring, water piping, etc.

            b. Damage to the hoistway enclosure that would affect its fire resistance rating.

            c. Evidence of intentional acts such as pouring or sweeping liquids and trash over the entrance sills into the hoistway.

            d. Any evidence of unauthorized people entering the hoistway.

4.13 Leaving car top

When leaving the car top, remove all tools and supplies and observe all safety precautions in the Elevator Industry Field Employees’ Safety Handbook (EIFESH).  Never store lubricants, tools, supplies or anything on the car top. Always clean your shoes to prevent tracking oil or dirt on the building floor. Allow the door to close, place a call and verify that the car operates correctly before removing the out of order signs.

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.