Lifts, like all machinery, require regular servicing. As a national provider of lift servicing, we are regularly asked for advice about lift responsibility and what to consider.
Lift maintenance is an essential part of owning a lift. As a lift owner, you have a legal responsibility to maintain and service your lift. In addition to this, preventative lift maintenance will also help to keep your lift in optimum condition, leading to fewer breakdowns, lower running costs and overall a more reliable lift.
Frequency of Lift Maintenance
The frequency of maintenance depends on the number of passengers who use the lift, the number of floors that it serves and the lifts manufacturers guidelines on each model’s maintenance profile.
All lifts require 2 visits per annum as a legal minimum. It is often advisable to increase this to ensure reliability and performance, depending on the options above.
When deciding upon maintenance frequency, you should remember that servicing is about preventative maintenance: more service visits should result in a more reliable lift and lower running costs in the medium to long term.
What work is completed on a service visit?
During a service visit, an engineer will check the safety features of the lift as well as cleaning, lubricating and adjusting all components for optimum performance. A report will be completed stating the work completed as well as detailing and recommendations or suggested repairs or improvements not covered by your contract.
Service Contract Extras
Nordic Lifts offer a range of additional lift service contract options, which depending on the number of lift products and the building use may need to be considered too. This includes considerations such as:
- Supplementary tests
- LOLER inspections
- Comprehensive call out cover
- Comprehensive repair cover
- Combining your lift(s) as part of a nationwide contract or larger lift portfolio
There are differing levels of service contracts available, but importantly Nordic Lifts are able to tailor all contracts so that your specific requirements met.
What do I need to be aware of?
Lift owners have a responsibility to keep up to date with any changes in legislation, standards and codes of practice that might affect their lifts.
As a lift owner, if you have a lift that is used by an employee in a commercial setting, e.g. restaurant, library, office or warehouse you have a duty of care.
If you own or occupy premises in which there is a lift, escalator or moving walkway, then you and/or your company are responsible for the maintenance under The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. If your lift is in a workplace, you also have a lawful obligation to have the lift thoroughly examined by a competent person on a regular basis, who will inspect the lift with a view to safety and should advise you of any defects.
You should have evidence, typically service reports or equivalent, to demonstrate you have looked after the equipment according to the requirements of PUWER and LOLER.
As part of a service contract with Nordic Lifts, we will be able to advise you of possible breaches of legislation or compromise in the safety of passengers, replacement parts or potential refurbishments required.
Nordic Lifts can also arrange a thorough examination which can act as a check that lift maintenance contract is being carried out properly
