As we welcome fall and with winter just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about getting your elevators and machine rooms in tip-top shape. Extreme heat and extremely cold temperatures outside can influence the way your elevator runs, making it important to stay on top of maintenance to ensure your elevator runs smoothly with minimal error.
Cold Weather Challenges for Elevators
Winter preparation is just as important for building owners as it is for people who service elevators. When we enter the snow months, make sure to keep an eye on door sills as rock salt and ice coming off shoes can jam the sills and prevent door operation. When the heat in the building is on during cold days, the elevator shaft can act as a chimney and force warm air through the hoistway doors and up the shaft. By testing and evaluating these issues, Pincus Elevators can adjust door spring pressure to reduce this effect.
The machine room should be kept between 60 Degrees and 90 degrees. Colder temperatures for hydraulic elevators can cause hydraulic oil viscosity changes and cause speed and leveling problems. If this is a concern, tank heaters are a good investment to minimize the effect of low oil temperatures. This problem will normally be seen in the morning after periods of low elevator use. For traction elevators, cold weather can have an impact on electronics.
Elevator Cleaning
Covid-19 is also on the rise again and may not be going anywhere soon. Elevator cleaning procedures will be similar to last year with safety precautions in place to ensure that everyone using your elevators is safe from sickness and spreading germs. It is recommended to clean the elevator buttons as often as needed with Lysol Disinfectant sprayed onto a clean, lint-free rag and wipe the buttons down. Do not directly spray the buttons with the antibacterial solution, make sure it goes on to the rag first. Also, remember to wipe down any handrails and walls in your elevator to kill germs spread by coughing and in case anyone has touched them. While often overlooked, it’s important to also sweep the sills of dust and debris that can hoard germs or even cause your elevator doors to jam.
If you run into any problems with your elevator this coming fall and winter and need a reliable repair team to fix the problem, call Pincus Elevator Company at 610-738-4350 or contact Tom Gibson, Sales Representative at TGibson@PincusElevator.com, or Tony Belluscio, Vice President and General Manager at TBelluscio@PincusElevator.com to discuss upgrades in your elevator that will ensure the safety for your tenants or customers. Work with us to create the most convenient and safe experience for your visitors!
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