When is it time to plan an elevator modernization?

This is always a question we get from building owners who have older equipment.  When should we plan for a modernization?  This is a great question that hopefully you as a building owner have been thinking over long before equipment reliability has forced you to begin thinking of this.

 [This is a ESCO Elevator controller that runs well for its age]

 [Born in 1969 - 48 years old]

Building’s expectations of elevator equipment – If a building has an expectation that the elevator should run flawlessly then equipment should be replaced after 15-20 years. Typically you begin to see a pattern with good run time becoming less and less between failures.  How elastic is the building with shut downs and nuisance problems.  If not very elastic, change the equipment before you start having issues.

 [Valve was replaced but original pump and motor]

Building’s environment – Some buildings are easy on their elevator equipment some buildings are hard on the equipment.  If the building is exposed to the elements, heat, cold, rain, snow, etc this would also shorten the life of the equipment.

What type of equipment is currently installed – This is a lot of great elevator equipment out there that can run for a very long time 40+ years.  There is also some equipment out there that runs for 15-20 years and begins to develop issues.   In our universe a 40 year old ESCO relay based controller is a better controller than a 20 year old Montgomery Miprom of Schindler Westinghouse MPH II.  One of the reasons 40 year old equipment may last longer is because it has less features such as firemans’ service and other safety items that require more complicated circuitry.  Also, solid state boards are not as reliable or as easy to replace as high duty cycle relays used for older elevator systems.

 [This elevator is so old that the original inhabitants of the elevator hoistway recorded the history of the elevator on the walls]

Who is your elevator maintenance company/mechanic – This is also very important.  If you have a company that specializes in your equipment you may get longer life out of the elevator.  Make sure the elevator company you hire is a good fit for the equipment.   I.E. Otis Elevator may not be a good fit to work on ERM controllers, unless they have someone who is familiar with the ERM product.  In the same respect Colley Elevator would not be good for a Gold Flight Schindler/Haughton elevator.  “Old Joe who has taken care of our elevators for the last 20 years is going to retire”.  Find out who is going to be replacing Old Joe and if this person knows your type of elevator systems.  All elevator mechanics are not the same and they all have different strengths and knowledge of different types of equipment.

Can the building afford it – This is probably the biggest part of the equation. Elevator modernization is expensive and comes with other items the building needs to address I.E. Fire systems and non-elevator electrical work.  A good practice would be to get preliminary numbers from you elevator maintenance company so you know what you are looking at as far as cost goes. We talk to reserve study companies on a regular basis who charge for this service, your elevator company would most likely do it for free. 

 [This door operator has been opening and closing for the building for 48 years]

Is the elevator code going to mandate a change – The elevator code could mandate a building to replace their equipment to comply with a new requirement i.e. Fireman’s automatic recall or in Chicago FEO phase II compliance.  Find out what is on the horizon for your jurisdiction.  A good source is your elevator maintenance company or an elevator consultant.  If you hire an elevator consultant, make sure it is a experienced reputable one.

Take away – Be aware of your current elevator equipment and have a solid plan of when you should be thinking of replacing it.  If you have the funding and the equipment is running well you can always punt a year.  On the other hand, if you are not financially prepared and you need to do it now, it is hard to collect the amount of money needed to complete a modernization.  Be as prepared as you can.

The pictures are from a modernization take off we did recently for a building that will be changing their elevator equipment shortly after years and years of nuisance issues and shut downs.

As always feel free to contact us at www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.