Elevators are a staple in nearly all strata buildings, and they play a vital role in the daily lives of residents. But what happens when they break down? Worse yet, what if there’s an accident? That’s why elevator maintenance is so important in strata buildings. Not only does it help keep the elevators running smoothly and efficiently, but it also helps to prevent accidents and injuries. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of having a proper elevator maintenance program in place in your strata building.
Why Is Elevator Maintenance Important?
There are several reasons why elevator maintenance is so important in strata buildings. First and foremost, it helps to ensure the safety of residents. Just like any other piece of machinery, elevators can malfunction and cause accidents. By having a regular maintenance schedule, you can help to prevent these accidents from happening. Secondly, elevator maintenance helps to keep the elevators running smoothly and efficiently. Regular maintenance can help to identify potential problems before they become big issues, and it can also help to prolong the life of the elevator system. Finally, having a proper elevator maintenance program in place shows that you’re taking responsibility for the safety of your residents and their belongings.
What Does Elevator Maintenance entail?
Elevator maintenance should be performed by a licensed contractor who is familiar with the specific make and model of your building’s elevators. The contractor should inspect the elevators on a monthly basis, and they should perform a more thorough inspection on a quarterly or semi-annual basis. During these inspections, the contractor will lubricate all moving parts, check for wear and tear, and test all safety features. They will also perform a load test to ensure that the elevators are able to safely transport the maximum capacity of people and/or belongings. After each inspection, the contractor will provide you with a report that outlines any problems that were found and any repairs that were made.
Preventive Maintenance is Key to Elevator Upkeep
Elevators are a vital part of any strata building, ensuring tenants can move between floors quickly and safely. But as any property manager knows, they can also be a source of frustration when they break down. No one wants to be stuck in a stopped elevator, or worse, have to call the fire department to rescue trapped tenants.
That’s why having a proper preventive maintenance program in place is so important. By working with a licensed elevating contractor, you can help ensure your elevators are running smoothly and efficiently, and reduce the likelihood of an unexpected breakdown or incident. What you may not be aware of is that having maintenance contract in place with a BCSA‐licensed contractor isn’t a nice to have: it’s your legal responsibility.
Your Responsibility
According to the BC Safety Authority (BCSA), every elevator in a strata building must have a valid maintenance contract with a licensed contractor. This includes hydraulic, traction, and roped ‐ hydraulic elevators. The only exception is for private residences with four units or less; these buildings are not required by law to have an elevator maintenance contract, but it’s still strongly recommended.
If you don’t have a valid maintenance contract in place and an incident does occur, you could be held liable. That’s why it’s so important to work with a reputable, licensed contractor who can provide you with the peace of mind that your elevators are being properly maintained.
The Benefits of Preventive Maintenance
Aside from protecting you from legal liability, preventive elevator maintenance has other benefits as well. For example, by catching small problems before they become big ones, you can help extend the lifespan of your elevators and avoid the need for costly repairs or replacements down the road. And because well-maintained elevators are more efficient than those that aren’t, you can also help save on energy costs over time.
Conclusion:
Elevator maintenance is important for several reasons: it helps to ensure safety, keep elevators running smoothly, improve efficiency, and prolongs the life of the elevator system. If you don’t have a proper elevator maintenance program in place already, we highly recommend that you get one set up as soon as possible. Be sure to work with a licensed contractor who is familiar with your building’s specific make and model of elevator.
The BCSA’s New Safety Order on Single Bottom Cylinders in Hydraulic Elevators
The British Columbia Safety Authority (BCSA) issued a safety order on single bottom cylinders in hydraulic elevators on December 10th, 2010, requiring that Hydraulic Elevators with “Single Bottom Cylinders” be replaced by October 8th, 2015 to comply with the CSA B44 – 2007 “Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators”. This safety order requires all strata buildings with a single bottom cylinder in their hydraulic elevator to submit a compliance plan. If you’re unsure of whether or not your strata building is affected by this order, your best course of action is to speak with your elevator maintenance contractor. They will be able to tell you what type of elevator your strata has and if it has a single bottom cylinder.
Compliance Plans and Notification Forms
If your strata does have a single bottom cylinder, you will need to submit a compliance plan to the BCSA. This compliance plan must detail how your strata intends to bring the elevator into compliance with the safety order. If you have any questions about this process, you can find more information on the BCSA website or by contacting your local authority.
The safety of your strata building’s residents should always be a top priority. With that in mind, it’s important to ensure that your elevator is in compliance with the latest safety standards. If you’re not sure where to start, speak with your elevator maintenance contractor. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action for your strata.
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