Believe it
or not, but lifts have revolutionised
the way that we
live, our economy and our culture.
Culturally,
lifts have been used in a number of films and novels as the setting for
frightful events as the physical claustrophobia of a lift can provide the
perfect setting to build tension and fear.
Economically,
lifts have helped to totally revolutionise the efficiency of businesses by
facilitating the rise of skyscrapers. Lifts have provided the means of new
architectural norms which let us build up rather than out. This method of
construction allows more and more businesses to fit in increasingly tighter
spaces within a city and has propelled places like London, New York and Dubai
into the commerce capitals of the world.
Socially,
lifts even changed the places where rich people lived. In cities like New York,
where the elevator was first invented, poorer people lived on the top floors as
they would have to climb a number of stairs to get to their home. However,
after the invention of the lift, these homes became more attractive to the
wealthiest classes. The reduction in street noise and better views, coupled
with the newfound accessibility, meant that new buildings priced the top floors
as more expensive than the bottom floors.
Since the
invention of lifts back in the 1850s, they have become far more complex than
they were during their steam-powered ascendency. They’ve also become much more
widespread in commercial properties; both of which means that there is an
increased need for professional elevator companies to ensure that lifts remain
in good working order. If you own a commercial lift and you need the services
of a lift repair company, we’ve provided a few qualities that you should keep
in mind.
Lift Maintenance Companies Need Qualified
Engineers
First and
foremost, when choosing a life repair company to work with, you’ll need to
ensure that they have all of the relevant qualifications and certifications
which define whether they are able to do the work you require proficiently,
professionally and to the required standard.
Some of the
most important certifications to keep an eye out for are the ISO 9001, ISO
14001 and the Safe Contractor certifications.
The ISO 9000
certification is a family of standards within quality management, with the ISO
9001 being the crucial document which organisations are audited against. The
certification covers the scope, planning, leadership, support, operation and
performance evaluation - amongst other criteria - of a quality management
system for products and services. Being accredited means that an organisation’s
quality control can be trusted.
Similarly,
the ISO 14000s are another family of regulations which are related to
environmental management. Again, the ISO 14001 is what organisations are
audited against and focuses on improving environmental performance rather than
management systems. The ISO 14001 was designed to help companies reduce their
impact on the environment and regulate a number of industries. By working with
a company that has this certificate, you’ll know that they are doing their bit
to operate responsibly.
Finally,
Safe Contractor approval means that an organisation passes a set of health and
safety regulations. If you work in a large building and you’re having a
large-scale lift installed into the property, it’s imperative that you
understand how safe the company you’re working with is. So, the best course of
action is always to look out for at least all three of these qualifications before
giving out a contract.
Lift Repair Engineers Should Be Available
Around The Clock
Unfortunately,
we never quite know exactly when a lift breakdown is going to strike which
means that it’s important for a company to be available in emergency
situations. Lifts are complex and have the potential to be very dangerous; if
one breaks down it could cause serious damage and injury to employees or
customers.
In
emergencies when the health of other people is in jeopardy, it’s crucial that
issues can be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible by a trustworthy
organisation. This means that finding a company with an emergency repair
provision is essential and can provide you with the peace of mind that, even if
the worst did happen, someone would be around as soon as possible to avert or
stem disaster.
A Range of Services Should Be Available
One of the
most crucial qualities to seek out when deciding on your specialist lift
company is what range of services they provide. It’s all well and good to work
with a company that is proficient in lift installations, but it’s similarly
essential for that company to also offer repairs.
If your lift
is installed and then soon after also requires repairs, it’s beneficial for
those repairs to be performed by the same company who installed the lift as
they will have far more intimate knowledge of the product than a third party
who just work on repairs. Once you know and trust that a firm’s installation
work will be performed to a high level of quality, you’ll also be able to trust
that their repair work will be performed to a certain level of quality, too.
Similarly,
by working with a company that has a range of services - including general
maintenance services - you’ll be able to work out a maintenance schedule which
can help to keep your lift operating at the optimum level of function and spot
any possible problems before they arise.
At The Design Stage, Creativity and Industry
Knowledge is Key
Not all
buildings are created equally and that means that lift systems must adapt to
fit complex briefs and unusual buildings. That’s why, when choosing a lift
company to work with, you should always consider whether they offer bespoke
design options. If a company only offers fairly regimented design options, they
may not be able to adapt to the complications and challenges that may be ahead.
There are so
many options available and, sometimes, you’ll need to mix and match different
technologies to arrive at the best solution. Consider whether a firm can
customise things like speed, security, size, load-bearing requirements and
safety. If a lift company has a track record of designing different lift
systems for different purposes then they may be the right company for you.
In an Age of Climate Change, Eco-Friendly
Options Are a Must
With the
environment very high in the priorities of a number of businesses these days, eco
lifts are becoming a popular choice. These products conserve energy as they
operate and, as such, are far better for the environment than regular lifts.
Some of the
most popular eco-friendly lifts are known as machine room-less eco-lifts (MRL)
which use up to half the energy than a traction drive lift uses and 70% less
energy than a hydraulic lift. Because machine room-less lifts have a built-in
power drive - rather than a machine room - more space within the building can
be utilised and there would be no need to construct a machine room, which
reduces the carbon energy involved in doing so.
Some
eco-lifts can also generate their own electricity and utilise LED lights to
drastically reduce their energy consumption whilst they are in operation.
ADL Lift Services
Here at ADL
Services, we know how important it is to ensure that your commercial lifts are
always working properly. Lifts that are broken down can pose significant health
and safety issues which is why we offer professional elevator maintenance services
in Scotland.
As an expert
elevator company, we are able to design new lists, provide repairs to existing
lifts and also schedule regular maintenance. Unlike many other companies in the
country, we provide a personalised service and always put our customers at the
very centre of everything that we do. Whether you need an innovative design or
emergency repairs, we can help. So, if you’re looking for a company to help you
with your lifts, look no further.
To find out
more, contact
us
today. You can find us at our head office at 29 Albert
Street, Motherwell, ML1 1PR or at our other offices in Aberdeen and Glasgow.
Alternatively, feel free to call us on 01698 277 009 or email us at info@adlliftservices.com
.
