The Importance Of a Quantitative Approach in Lift Maintenance And Modernization

As a company operating in the lift industry, I would like to emphasize the importance of lift maintenance and modernization in light of years of experience and current developments. In this article, I will approach the subject specifically from a quantitative perspective. Why a quantitative approach, you may ask. Because in order to best measure the performance, reliability and efficiency of a system, we need to take into account the countable and measurable characteristics of the parts that make up that system.

In our country, lift maintenance and operating processes are regulated by the “Lift Maintenance and Operation Regulation” published in the Official Gazette dated April 6, 2019, in accordance with the 2014/33/EU standard for installed lifts. Maintenance is carried out according to the Turkish Standards Institute’s TS EN 13015 “Lifts – Rules for Maintenance Instructions” standard. Regulations and standards define the necessary maintenance and inspection procedures for the safe and efficient operation of lifts. However, the effectiveness of these regulations can only be ensured through a quantitative approach.

Maintenance is mandatory in lifts, as it is in all operational vehicles, and modernization is inevitable. Regular maintenance, when carried out by companies and personnel with professional competence in accordance with the standards and regulations, increases system efficiency and safety. As a result, the expected time for modernization is prolonged, and it can be done with lower costs in the future. This way, lift accidents can be nipped in the bud.

One of the most critical safety equipment in lifts is, without a doubt, the braking system. During the annual periodic inspections conducted by inspection bodies, lift brakes are also tested. According to the results of these tests and all other inspections, lifts are labeled with green, blue, yellow or red labels, and necessary actions are taken accordingly. 

There are approximately 850,000 installed lifts in our country. In the annual inspections, approximately one-third of these lifts receive a dangerous and unusable label (yellow or red). Unfortunately, this number is increasing while it should actually be decreasing. The reason primarily stems from lift owners’ and managers’ concerns, first commercial and then distrust towards all stakeholders involved in controlling the lift system.

If the technician performing lift maintenance notes the worn-out parts on the service form and ensures they are replaced by the next maintenance session, system safety and efficiency will increase.

Building managers and lift owners often fail to factor in lift maintenance, repair and modernization costs when preparing their annual budgets (as many are not reminded to do so). Their exclusive focus on reducing service costs can have a detrimental effect on maintenance quality. For most managers, the quality of maintenance is directly associated with the time the technician spends in the building or on that particular lift. Unfortunately, in the eyes of some, a technician spending 2 h idling in a 10-story building may be perceived as equivalent to a technician spending 2-2.5 h thoroughly reviewing and adjusting the entire system. As a result, the majority of maintenance activities are conducted as corrective maintenance. However, maintenance should be preventive in nature.

I believe that no lift company would want the lifts they maintain to receive red or yellow labels during annual inspections. Then, why do one-third of lifts get a yellow or red (unsafe, unusable) label every year? We should ask this question to all stakeholders of the system, especially lift owners and managers. 

With preventive maintenance, all working parts of lifts, escalators and travelator systems are kept under record and monitoring, allowing for proper planning of the expected future modernization from every aspect. In this way, user inconveniences are minimized, ensuring a safe and comfortable system remains in service for many more years.

On the other hand, companies operating in the lift industry also need to continuously improve themselves and keep up with technological innovations and advancements in metallurgy. Remote monitoring systems, predictive-preventive maintenance and other modern approaches will play a significant role in enhancing the safety and efficiency of lifts. Additionally, the training and certification of lift technicians are also of critical importance for the development of the sector.

All companies operating in the lift industry should prioritize the emphasis on a quantitative approach and make implementing these principles a primary objective. Efforts should be made to ensure the safety and satisfaction of customers while simultaneously contributing to the sustainable development of the sector.

Risk assessment: A systematic approach should be adopted to identify and prioritize the risk factors of lifts. This ensures the advance detection of potential malfunctions and safety gaps, facilitating the implementation of necessary precautions.

Regular data collection: Regular collection and analysis of data on lift performance, frequency of use, failure history and other relevant information are essential. These data will guide maintenance and modernization decisions, and ensure effective utilization of resources.

Preventive maintenance: Preventive maintenance strategies should be adopted instead of corrective maintenance. This practice enables the timely identification and resolution of potential issues before they escalate, ultimately increasing the uninterrupted operational time of the lifts and reducing costs.

Technological integration: Integrating technologies such as remote monitoring, data analytics and predictive-preventive maintenance into lift systems will increase the efficiency of maintenance and modernization processes. These technologies will enable rapid and effective intervention by providing real-time data.

User awareness: It is important to raise awareness among lift users about safety and proper usage. Regular training and awareness campaigns will enable users to operate lifts correctly and recognize potential hazards.

Regulatory compliance: Lift maintenance and modernization should be carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations and standards. This will ensure both compliance with legal requirements and the maintenance of safety and quality standards.

Continuous improvement: Lift maintenance and modernization activities should be carried out within the framework of continuous improvement principles. Regular review of processes, evaluation of feedback and identification of improvement opportunities will contribute to the development of the industry.

In conclusion, the future of our industry depends on adopting a proactive, data-driven quantitative approach to maintenance and modernization. This approach will not only enhance the safety and performance of lifts but also increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the industry.

In line with our country’s Second Centennial Vision, the lift industry should take on a pioneering role in the areas of digitalization, innovation and sustainability. Collaboration and shared responsibility among all stakeholders will contribute to the development and standardization of the sector. We should not forget that lifts are an indispensable part of our daily lives, and ensuring their safe operation is a collective responsibility for all of us.