Preventing Lift Breakdown and Ensuring Passenger Safety

Proactive Steps to Avoid Disruption and Keep Your Building Moving

A broken-down lift? It’s more than an inconvenience – it’s a major disruption to your building’s flow, affecting everyone from tenants to visitors. Whether it’s a busy office block or luxury residential apartments, lift failures lead to frustration and lost productivity. When it comes to preventing lift breakdown, Tower Lifts is perfectly placed to help.

With over 18 years of experience keeping the UK’s lifts running smoothly, we understand the importance of proactive maintenance. In this guide, we’ll share clear, actionable steps you can take to prevent lift breakdowns, ensuring passenger safety and reducing the risk of costly disruption.

1. Respect the Limits – Avoid Overloading Your Lift

It might seem obvious, but exceeding the weight or passenger capacity of your lift puts unnecessary strain on its components. This can lead to premature wear and tear, increasing the likelihood of breakdowns.

Make sure the lift’s maximum capacity is clearly displayed and that users are aware of it. If you notice consistent overloading, consider upgrading to a lift with a higher capacity or implementing measures to manage passenger flow.

2. Make Regular Maintenance a Priority

Your lift needs routine maintenance and servicing to catch minor issues before they grow into major breakdowns. These visits allow qualified lift engineers to:

• Identify and address wear and tear – Spotting worn components early prevents unexpected failures and costly repairs down the line.
• Lubricate and adjust moving parts – Ensuring smooth operation reduces friction and stress on the system.
• Test safety features – Verifying that emergency brakes and other safety mechanisms are functioning correctly is vital for passenger safety.
• Clean and inspect electrical systems – Preventing electrical faults and potential fire hazards.

Partnering with a reliable lift maintenance company ensures your lift receives the expert care it needs to stay in top condition, which minimises the risk of unexpected breakdowns.

3. Don’t Overlook Statutory Inspections – Your Legal Obligation for Safety

While regular maintenance is crucial, it’s distinct from statutory inspections required by the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). These inspections go beyond routine maintenance, focusing solely on the lift’s safety and compliance with legal standards. They’re like an independent audit to make sure that your lift is operating safely for passengers and goods.

By complying with LOLER regulations and scheduling statutory inspections, you demonstrate your commitment to passenger safety and avoid potential legal consequences.

4. Simple Weekly Checks for Early Detection

You don’t need to be a lift engineer to spot potential problems. With a little training, a designated employee can conduct quick weekly checks to catch minor issues before they turn into major breakdowns. These simple inspections can go a long way in preventing unexpected disruptions and ensuring passenger safety.

Weekly checklist:

• Lighting – Make sure the passenger cabin lighting is fully functional and bright.
• Levelling: – Check that the lift stops level with each floor, avoiding any tripping hazards.
• Doors and tracks – Inspect for any obstructions or damage that could hinder door operation.
• Buttons – Ensure all landing and car operating buttons are working correctly.
• Quality – Listen for any unusual noises or vibrations during the lift’s journey.

These checks take just a few minutes, but they can identify issues early on, allowing you to schedule repairs before a breakdown occurs. Any concerns should be passed to your lift maintenance provider promptly.

5. Be Prepared – Have a Clear Emergency Breakdown Procedure in Place

Even with the best preventative measures, occasional lift breakdowns are a reality. That’s why it’s crucial to have a well-defined emergency procedure that everyone in your building understands and can follow. This will minimise disruption, ensure passenger safety, and ensure a fast solution to the problem.

In the event of a breakdown:

1. Stay Calm and Communicate – If passengers are stuck in the lift, reassure them that help is on the way and keep in contact with them until they are safely released.
2. Contact Your Lift Maintenance Provider – Immediately notify your lift maintenance company, providing details about the lift’s location, any trapped passengers, and the nature of the problem.
3. Display Signage – Clearly mark the lift as “Out of Order” on all floors to prevent further use.
4. Follow Instructions – Cooperate with your lift provider and follow their guidance during the repair process.
5. Review and Improve – Once the issue is resolved, carefully look into the cause of the breakdown and implement any recommendations to prevent future occurrences.

Remember, a well-prepared team and a clear breakdown procedure can turn a potentially stressful situation into a manageable one.

Considering an Upgrade?

If frequent breakdowns are plaguing your building due to outdated lift technology, it might be time to consider a lift modernisation. Upgrading to a newer lift system can significantly improve reliability, energy efficiency, and passenger comfort.

Why Choose Tower Lifts?

Preventing lift breakdown isn’t just about avoiding inconvenience—it’s about ensuring the safety and smooth operation of your business or building. By following these proactive steps and partnering with a trusted lift maintenance provider like Tower Lifts, you can minimise disruptions, extend the lifespan of your lifts, and provide a positive experience for everyone who relies on your vertical transport.

Our commitment to quality is affirmed by our ISO9001:2015 Lift Cert and UKAS approval, ensuring strict adherence to current Lift Regulations. With our comprehensive maintenance and 24/7 Breakdown and Lift Repair Service, you can rest assured that your lifts are in capable hands.

Ready to experience the difference? Contact Tower Lifts today for a free consultation and let us help you keep your building moving.

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