Common Forms of Lift Malfunction: What to Look Out For

Lifts are complex systems that involve electronics, hydraulics and engineering components. This means it’s almost inevitable that they will malfunction from time to time. Read on to learn more about how your elevator can malfunction and some prevalent signs you should look out for.



Power failure

Power failure can cause lifts to malfunction, and this can be triggered by a number of reasons. From an electrical storm to a broken fuse, thankfully power failures typically only cause a brief delay and don’t normally lead to serious injuries. However, in rare cases power failures can cause a lift to stop suddenly, which could potentially harm people inside. This is why it’s important to ensure your lift is regularly maintained by an expert.

Lift doors failing to open

A frequent problem associated with lifts is doors failing to open. While this issue isn’t normally too serious, it can cause significant distress to those stuck inside - particularly the elderly and those who suffer from claustrophobia. It’s normal to feel stressed and anxious when you experience this problem, especially if you are trapped in a lift that is warm and overcrowded.

Several factors can cause lift doors failing to open - be it something stuck in the door or the door not closing properly. You should call maintenance services to address the issue - attempting to prise the door open yourself will do more harm than good.

Bear in mind that defective doors can be a common lift risk. In order to prevent accidents, modern elevators typically contain built-in door sensors that slow down the opening and closing of the doors. However, door sensors are susceptible to error and could potentially fail to detect a person or their limb. Suddenly closing doors might trap a person within the lift or crush part of their body - if the elevator begins to move up or down, this could cause serious injury or death. This is why it’s crucial you invest in regular lift maintenance to keep everyone safe.

Sudden stops or stops between floors

Lifts are not intended to stop abruptly or between floors, so if this happens then it means there is something wrong. Lifts are programmed to stop steadily as they approach each floor but not abruptly - this is because passengers can risk falling or hitting their heads. Abrupt stops between floors could be caused by a power outage or poor maintenance, as well as fault electrical work. Routine maintenance will reduce the risk of this problem.

With a continued commitment to providing trustworthy and efficient lift services in a range of premises around Scotland, ADL Lift Services is considered one of the leading lift manufacturers in the country. For lift maintenance advice and lift installation queries, get in touch with us today.