Elevator Oversight

Elevator Oversight is the industry’s first and only, 3rd party Maintenance Monitoring Service. Our patent pending technology monitors, tracks and reports when elevator maintenance is or is not being performed. We use GPS and AI Technology to ensure technicians are in the correct place. Technicians are required to answer simple, Yes or No questions based on the areas being inspected. Upon completion of an inspection, a report is auto generated and sent to building owners, management company and/or board members. The overall intent is to become a compliant partner with our building owners and help them to restore checks and balance to their elevator and/or escalator systems. Check and balance not only related to maintenance and performance of the elevator and/or escalator systems, but also potential frivolous billing from the elevator company to the building owner(s). Why is it a good idea to monitor your elevator maintenance?

Information Provided by National Elevator Industry, Inc.
September 1, 2015 edition of The Insider

When we think of elevator and escalator safety, many people assume it is the responsibility of the elevator manufacturer and the elevator service company. However, the building owner or manager and the riding public also play a vital role in elevator and escalator safety.

Once elevator or escalator equipment is installed, tested, inspected and put into service, the building owner or manager owns the equipment. As such, it becomes their responsibility to ensure that all components are properly inspected, tested and maintained. The ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators provides all the necessary requirements for inspection, testing, maintenance and repair of elevators and escalators:
 
Section 8.6 provides requirements for maintenance, repair and testing

Section 8.11 provides requirements for inspection and witnessing of tests

Authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) specifies the required intervals for inspection and testing which may be based on the recommendations in Appendix N Proper maintenance of elevators and escalators is vital. The responsibility falls to the building owner for making sure that each system is properly maintained. Typically, owners hire a service company with trained elevator and escalator mechanics to provide all equipment maintenance. Just like a homeowner: when you buy a home, you’re the one in charge to make all the necessary repairs, if/when a pipe bursts or a foundation cracks. Who do you call in that situation? A professional.

Every elevator and escalator is required to have a Maintenance Control Program (MCP), which is essentially a detailed guide to ensure proper maintenance throughout the life of the equipment. But building owner responsibility doesn’t end there. Even though service companies perform the maintenance and repair of the equipment, the owner is tasked with making sure each system operates safely and is up to date on inspections and tests. Even though inspection and test requirements vary by jurisdiction, it is up to the building owner to ensure that these are being done.
There are a few things that building owners can do proactively. One is to ensure the equipment is performing properly by appointing someone to be responsible for routine elevator and escalator examinations. What exactly should they be looking for? That person should observe the following:
 
*Equipment is operating normally, no noises or abnormal odor

*No loose or missing features

*The area around the equipment is clean and free of anything that could disrupt normal operation. 


They should also immediately take the equipment out of service and notify the elevator repair service if they
observe any unsafe conditions.