Tower Lifts
Tower Lifts
Commercial Lift Maintenance
Keeping Your Lifts Running Smoothly & Safely – A Guide for Building Managers
We rely on lifts every day. Just like buses, trains, or the tube, they’re part of our daily commute, getting us where we need to go. And just like those other modes of transport, we use lifts with an implicit trust – that they’re safe, reliable, and unlikely to let us down.
But behind the scenes, that safety and reliability depend on regular, expert commercial lift maintenance. As a building owner or manager, you’re aware of the crucial role lifts play, and for that reason, ensuring they’re properly maintained is not just good practice, it’s a legal obligation under LOLER.
The Tower Lifts team has been offering commercial lift maintenance since 2006. In this short guide we detail the ins and outs of lift maintenance, why it’s so important, and how to find a reliable provider to keep your lifts running smoothly.
The Legal Landscape – Lift Regulations You Need to Know
Having established how vital lifts are, we now need to deal with the responsibility they confer. In the UK, lift safety is governed by a set of regulations designed to protect passengers and maintenance workers. While the legal jargon can be a bit daunting, understanding the basics is ensures that your building is compliant, and your lifts are safe.
The main piece of legislation you need to know about is the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). Think of LOLER as the rulebook for all lifting equipment, including your passenger lifts, goods lifts and platform lifts. It outlines your duties as a building owner or manager, placing a legal obligation on you to ensure:
- Thorough Examination – Your lifts must undergo a full inspection by a competent person at regular intervals (more on this later!). This is about making sure everything is in good working order.
- Regular Maintenance – LOLER requires that your lifts are properly maintained to prevent breakdowns and ensure safety. This includes routine servicing, repairs, and component replacements.
- Competent Personnel – Any work on your lifts must be carried out by qualified and experienced lift engineers.
Beyond LOLER, other regulations might come into play depending on the specifics of your building and lifts. These could include:
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – This legislation sets out general duties for workplace safety, including the safe operation of lifts.
- Equality Act 2010 – This Act requires that you make reasonable adjustments to ensure your building, including lifts, is accessible to people with disabilities.
- Building Regulations – These regulations cover various aspects of building design and construction, including lift installations and upgrades.
Don’t worry if it seems like a lot to take in! The point being made is that regular maintenance and thorough examination are non-negotiable. Thankfully this is a task undertaken by a reputable lift maintenance provider. Once your maintenance provider is in place, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your lifts are safe and compliant.
What is Commercial Lift Maintenance?
Just as with any complex machine, lifts need regular care and attention to stay safe and reliable. In this section we work through the key elements of a lift maintenance programme.
To keep your lift operating at its best, regular servicing is essential. This typically happens every 1-3 months, depending on factors like usage and the age of the lift. During a service visit, skilled engineers will clean and lubricate components, check safety devices like brakes and door mechanisms, and make any necessary adjustments. It’s like a check-up to catch minor issues before they become major problems.
Beyond routine servicing, your lift needs a more thorough examination at regular intervals. This is a legal requirement under LOLER, and it’s like giving your lift a comprehensive health check. A competent person will inspect the entire system, testing all safety features and identifying any potential issues. This detailed examination is usually required every 6 months for passenger lifts and every 12 months for goods lifts.
Even with the best preventative care, parts will eventually wear out or become damaged. That’s where repairs and component replacement come in. This might involve replacing worn ropes and pulleys, updating control panels, or addressing any issues flagged in the thorough examination.
As technological innovations for lifts emerge, modernisation becomes important. This could involve upgrading lift components for improved efficiency, installing new control systems, improving sustainability, or even giving the lift a facelift to match your building’s aesthetics. Modernisation not only improves performance but also ensures your lift remains compliant with the latest safety standards.
Investing in a lift maintenance programme helps prevent unexpected breakdowns, minimises disruption to your building’s occupants, and ensures you’re meeting your legal obligations. Plus, proactive maintenance can extend the lifespan of your lift and even improve its energy efficiency.
Finding the Perfect Fit – Choosing Your Commercial Lift Maintenance Provider
Time to tackle the crucial task of choosing a provider. With so many options out there, how do you find the perfect partner for your building’s needs?
Key considerations:
- Experience and expertise – Look for a company with a proven track record in commercial lift maintenance. How long have they been in business? Do they have experience with your specific type of lift?
- 24/7 availability – Lift emergencies can happen at any time. Choose a provider with 24/7 emergency call-out service to minimise disruption.
- Qualified engineers – Make sure their engineers are fully qualified and experienced in working with commercial lifts.
- Transparent pricing – Get clear and detailed quotes upfront, with no hidden costs.
- Strong reputation – Check online reviews and testimonials to gauge their reliability and customer satisfaction.
- Local presence – While not essential, a local provider might offer faster response times and a better understanding of your area’s specific needs.
Talk to multiple providers:
We believe in finding the best fit for your needs. While we’re confident in our services at Tower Lifts, we encourage you to talk to a range of providers before making your decision. This allows you to compare quotes, assess their expertise, and find a company that aligns with your building’s requirements and your budget.
Why Tower Lifts?
As a UK-wide provider with years of experience, Tower Lifts offers commercial lift maintenance solutions tailored to your needs. Our team of qualified engineers has as its goal the task of keeping your lifts running smoothly and safely. We pride ourselves on our transparent pricing, 24/7 support, and commitment to customer satisfaction.
Our Quality and Safety Promise:
Tower Lifts adheres to the highest standards of quality and safety in every aspect of our operation. We are proud to hold the following accreditations:
- ISO 9001:2015 – Demonstrating our commitment to quality management systems and continuous improvement.
- ISO 45001 – Providing an internationally recognised framework for managing occupational health and safety risks.
- UKAS – LiftCert – Verifying our competence and compliance with industry best practices.
- LEIA – Ensuring our adherence to industry recommendations and best practices as a member of this leading trade body.
Ready to discuss your lift maintenance needs?
Get in touch with Tower Lifts today for a free consultation and quote. We’re here to help you find the perfect maintenance solution for your building.
Tower Lifts carry out design and installation on a varied range of lifts throughout the UK including:
Domestic Lifts • Food Lifts • Bespoke Platform Lifts • Service Lifts • Platform Lifts • Goods Lifts • Scenic Lifts • Heavy Duty / Car Lifts • Passenger Lifts • Dumbwaiter Lifts • MRL Lifts • Fire lifts • Residential Lifts • low-Headroom Lifts