Elevators are one of the most common and most utilized aspects of any building, whether commercial or residential. They are also one of the most important to maintain. The obvious reason for proper and regular inspection/maintenance is safety—and as long as it is, indeed, maintained, an elevator is an exceptionally safe piece of equipment.
Another critical reason for maintenance is code compliance; if you fail to comply with the CSA Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators (which adheres to the U.S. ASME standards), you risk major fines. Within the elevator, the motor is a crucial part, and it too must be maintained and repaired regularly and effectively. This makes all the difference between safety/compliance and major problems.
So what attributes should you consider when hiring a company to inspect and/or maintain your elevator motor? These are some of the most important factors:
Experience
Finding an elevator motor inspector with many years of experience means you can be sure he or she has worked on all types of elevators and also a variety of manufacturers and has extensive knowledge. It also means that the inspector can easily determine if something is wrong; a less experienced inspector can overlook something that will later become a problem. Should an issue go unnoticed and therefore get worse, your costs will be much higher for repairs and replacement. Therefore, pay particular attention to the company’s years in business.
Accreditation
This is one of the first things you should inquire about—proper accreditation ensures they were trained and certified correctly. In the U.S. and certain provinces of Canada, inspectors are required to have a Qualified Elevator Inspector’s certification. Be sure to ask what accreditation an inspector/company has.
Types of Inspection/Testing
Of course you want the most thorough and up-to-date testing and inspection, so it’s important to ask a company about their procedure. You can then compare them to one or two others and determine who seems to be the most thorough.
Repairs Available
If it’s determined that repairs are necessary, it’s easier to work with an inspector who can then actually perform them, rather than having to find someone else. The best scenario is to work with a company that has experience and knowledge of the inspection process as well as in repairs—this will be the most effective, cost-efficient situation.
If you have questions about the process, please feel free to contact us anytime. We are available 24/7/365.