Why Lift Servicing Is So Important for Lift Owners
As a lift owner, keeping your lift in good working condition is important. Not only is it a legal requirement to have your lift regularly serviced, but it's also crucial for the safety of your passengers. A well-maintained lift is also more reliable and efficient, saving you money in the long run. In this blog post, we'll examine why lift servicing is so important and how often you should have your lift serviced.
What is lift servicing?
Lift servicing is a regular inspection of the lift. It is a legal requirement to have your lift checked over by a professional, so you can make sure that it’s safe and working properly when your building occupants or site visitors use it.
This service includes:
- A thorough examination of all mechanical and electrical components (including
- sensors).
- Inspection for defects in any moving parts, such as gears or cables.
- Cleaning and lubrication of all moving parts.
- Bi-annual safety checks on the lift’s control systems to ensure that they are working correctly
In addition to this, the lift should be inspected for any corrosion or signs of wear and tear.
If you have any doubts about the safety of your lift in between services, then it is always worth contacting a professional service provider to come and check it out.
How often should a lift be serviced?
As a lift owner, you are responsible for the regular maintenance of your lifts, which means you have to hire a lift maintenance service.
It's required by law to have a qualified engineer carrying out a service on all lifts and similar machinery such as escalators in the UK on a regular basis. The frequency of these inspections will depend on the lift type and how often it carries passengers or goods.
For example, an escalator will need to be inspected more frequently than an elevator due to its heavy usage and riskier nature - but generally, twice per year is sufficient for most people.
The reason for these checks is not simply because they're legally required - but also because they're important for ensuring that your lift remains safe and reliable throughout its lifespan. A poorly maintained lift could fail at any time without warning, leaving you liable if there's an accident involving passengers or staff members who use it regularly.
What type of checks are involved?
The process of servicing a lift involves a thorough inspection of the machine and its safety features. This means checking that everything is in good working order, particularly:
- Safety checks – ensuring correct procedures are followed, using correct safety signs.
- Fault finding – ensuring that any electrical or mechanical faults are identified and rectified quickly.
- Mechanical checks – checking the gearboxes and motor drives to ensure they are operating at their full capacity.
- Electrical checks – inspecting all wiring for damage or loose connections, making sure there’s enough power supply from the mains outlet as well as checking whether it has been tampered with by unauthorised parties.
- Hydraulic checks – ensuring sufficient pressure from all hydraulic pipes connecting each part together according to manufacturers' specifications so that everything operates smoothly during operation mode(s).
- Control system checks (also known as DCS or Digital Control System) - checking whether any software upgrades have been installed onto your control system(s) which might affect performance levels negatively.
- Pre-start checks – ensuring that the machine is safe to operate before starting it up.
- As a lift owner, it's critical to keep up with regular servicing, and maintenance. It may be tempting to cut corners and skip servicing, but not only is this illegal, it’s also the case that doing so can end up costing you more in the long run. Minor problems are only likely to worsen if unaddressed over time, leading to more expensive repairs in future.
- In short, lift servicing is essential for safety purposes, can save you money, and gives you the peace of mind of knowing that your lift is in good working condition.
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Get All the Answers to Your Questions About Wheelchair Lifts!
How much are wheelchair lifts?
Wheelchair lifts can cost anywhere from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds, depending on the size and complexity of the lift. Many factors go into the final price, such as the lift weight capacity, whether it's electric or manual, and whether it's portable or fixed. To get a free quote, don't hesitate to talk to one of our staff. We can provide you with detailed information about the available lifts, including their features and benefits.
Are lifts safer than stairs?
Yes, lifts are definitely safer than stairs, and they are essential for many people with restricted mobility or a disability. Lifts have a number of safety features that make them much easier and safer to use, such as buttons to call the lift and sensors that stop the lift if something or someone is in the way while it’s in motion. In addition, lifts are usually large enough to accommodate a wheelchair, which makes them perfect for disabled people.
What size wheelchair elevator do I need?
The size of the wheelchair elevator you need for your business will depend on factors such as the number of people the lift will accommodate, the width of the wheelchair, and the space available for the access system. Most standard elevators are 18 inches wide, so if your typical users’ wheelchairs are wider than that, you will need a special-sized elevator.
To find out more about the different sizes of wheelchair elevators available, contact Sesame Access Systems. We can provide you with a range of sizes, from small personal lifts to larger commercial models. We also offer installation services, so you can have your elevator up and running in no time.
How long does a wheelchair lift last?
A wheelchair lift should last for as long as 25 years. A number of factors will influence how long a wheelchair lift lasts, including the amount of use it gets, the type of material it is made from, the frequency with which it’s serviced, and the climate in which it is used.
Wheelchair lifts are commonly made from steel or aluminium, both of which can withstand a great deal of wear and tear. However, proper maintenance is still important in order to ensure that the lift continues to function properly for as long as possible. Routine cleaning and inspections should be carried out by qualified professionals in order to identify any potential problems before they become too serious.
How does a wheel chair lift work?
A wheelchair lift is a motorised device that lifts a wheelchair and its occupant so they can travel to another level of a building. Wheelchair lifts are most commonly used in public buildings, such as hospitals, schools, and government buildings, and in public areas such as shopping malls.