Elevators and Lifts

Our expert team of technicians will ensure your lifts and elevators are always functional, reliable and safe.

If your building has more than one floor – or a basement, then you are likely in charge of a lift or elevator as well. Understanding the guidelines you need to follow for safe operation can ensure your lift remains in excellent repair and that your building remains in full compliance with all applicable regulations.

What is an Elevator/ Lift?

An elevator, also called a lift, is a car that moves in a vertical shaft to carry passengers or freight between the levels of a multistory building. Most modern elevators are propelled by electric motors, with the aid of a counterweight, through a system of cables and sheaves (pulleys). Elevators make it easy to get from one floor to the next, to carry heavy or unusual shaped items from place to place.

Any structure with an elevator is required to comply with specific standards and guidelines. Australian Standards are set out for the maintenance of any Elevator/ Lift on a Commercial, Industrial and Residential scale.

Why is Elevator Maintenance so Important?

The maintenance of a lift is of vital importance for the use of a facility, the elevator must be reliable, functional and safe. Undoubtedly, functionality and safety are the two parameters (above the aesthetic, which is also relevant) by which your tenants and visitors will judge the quality of an elevator. And in this sense, in order that both qualities do not cause resent, it is necessary that regular maintenance is carried out. Your facilities manager should be aware of the importance of elevator and lift safety and be prepared with a comprehensive maintenance plan.

In theory, everyone knows that preventive maintenance is the key to keeping equipment running at peak efficiency and to getting a better return on invested capital, but in practice, preventive maintenance routines are often postponed, or even neglected, in order to meet budgetary requirements. A facility manager can help ensure your elevators are perfectly maintained and that your structure is always safe and accessible for tenants and guests.

Your maintenance routine for your elevator also influences potential liability. If something was to fail on an elevator, then the first item an investigating team will ask for is the service dockets for the maintenance history of the lift. If this cannot be presented, then the blame will lie firmly with the owner of the lift.

Lifts and Maintenance: Discover how Elevators Work

The annoying thing about elevators (if you're trying to understand them) is that their working parts are usually covered up. From the viewpoint of someone traveling from the lobby to the 18th floor, an elevator is simply a metal box with doors that close on one floor and then open again on another. For those of us who are more curious, the key parts of an elevator are:

One or more cars (metal boxes) that rise up and down.
Counterweights that balance the cars.
An electric motor that hoists the cars up and down, including a braking system. (Some elevators use hydraulic mechanisms instead.)
A system of strong metal cables and pulleys running between the cars and the motors.
Various safety systems to protect the passengers if a cable breaks.

In large buildings, an electronic control system that directs the cars to the correct floors using a so-called "elevator algorithm" (a sophisticated kind of mathematical logic) to ensure large numbers of people are moved up and down in the quickest, most efficient way (particularly important in huge, busy skyscrapers at rush hour). Intelligent systems are programmed to carry many more people upward than downward at the beginning of the day and the reverse at the end of the day.

Every part of the elevator needs to be in good repair for it to perform its job safely and efficiently.

Testing Intervals

The type of equipment determines whether the equipment requires Statutory maintenance or just Routine maintenance and how often it is to be tested. A facilities management company with elevator expertise can ensure your elevator and related equipment is always ready to serve and in the best possible condition. Here is a typical testing interval schedule for your convenience:

Asset	3M	6M	1Y
Electric Lift	Y	Y	Y
Hydraulic Lift	Y	Y	Y
Inclined Lift for Goods & Material (Inclinator)	Y	Y	Y
Service Lift for Goods & Materials Only (Dumbwaiter)	Y		Y
Vertical Platform Lift - Screw Driven	Y		Y
Hydraulic Scissor Lift and Conveyor	Y		Y
Vertical Platform Lift (Single Person)	Y
Vertical Carousel		Y

Why Choose BBM for your Facilities Management?

Not all facilities management brands offer the same lineup of service; if you need expert elevator assistance and maintenance, the team at BBM is ready to help. At BBM we ensure that our Elevator/ Lift Technicians are up to date experts and always equipped with the latest safety standards. With our knowledge and service, you can ensure that your business remains compliant and have the peace of mind knowing you are providing a safe environment for everyone in the workplace. We also provide all relevant Service Dockets in a paperless format for you to keep on record in case you are ever audited. As these are stored in within our CMMS, these can be made available to you upon request as well.

What Services does BBM Offer for Elevators and Lifts?

Workplace Safety Audits
Inspection and testing
Repair and replacement/upgrade of faulty equipment
Supply and install new devices

You can take advantage of BBM’s Planned Preventative Maintenance Programs and have our service team handle your every need. We provide a transparent schedule of rates so there are no hidden costs and in partnering with BBM, you can ensure you meet your safety obligations.

Join our program and let BBM handle the stress of ensuring your workplace remains up to date and compliant.