Wednesday, 15 October 2014

How An Elevator Modernization Company Improves Service

By Patty Goff


In some buildings, calling an elevator becomes an exercise in patience. Inaccurate timing creates lengthy waits, and an overcrowded car may be followed by two that are nearly empty. Units older than a decade may regularly experience service issues, making a timely update of existing facilities necessary to attract and retain good tenants. An elevator modernization company makes that process as efficient as possible.

While dramatic films use falling elevators to their advantage, that situation rarely occurs. More often there is simply an increase in complaints and emergency service calls. Deciding when to make the substantial investment that accompanies an upgrade is based on financial forecasting as well as actual physical conditions. An upgrade adds value to a building, and determines when it can be sold profitably.

Long-term system data collection is also important in making the decision to make improvements. Acceptable service meets certain metrics and standards, including the length of time traveling between floors, vibration and noise levels, how long it takes doors to close, and the average wait time for passengers. If there is a gradual decline or deterioration, the problems may require a full overhaul.

Obsolescence is also a key driver of upgrades in aging high-rises. Even aging installations that still work reasonably well may not be worth the effort. Maintenance parts may be scarce, and repairs routinely delayed. Because several manufacturers have merged, some equipment and parts have been discontinued. New hardware today relies on microprocessors, which themselves are quickly superseded by faster and better chips.

Buildings older than twenty years often have systems that are beginning to deteriorate. A modernization firm analyzes all aspects of operation by conducting an assessment to determine acceleration and slowdown, the amount of vibration felt by riders, and the time it takes doors to open and close. An evaluation provides hard, objective facts rather than customer opinion based on emotion.

An assessment also prevents hidden costs from arising during construction. In order to conform to regional seismic and building codes, there may be related improvements needed to improve smoke detection systems, or aging electrical wiring. Elevators that performed satisfactorily using old forms of wiring and outdated types of backup power may not work as well when connected digitally, requiring upgrades building-wide.

Modernization involves more than increasing speed. Most new systems do not actually move faster, but give that impression due to the increased efficiency created by computerization. Like other forms of 21st century technology, new microprocessors are not only able to recognize and meet higher demand, but are also capable of learning when peak traffic occurs, and of compensating when changes in passenger loads occur.

Newer technology is also more energy-efficient, reducing operating costs. Not only are updated systems seen as faster by users, but they eliminate wasted trips between floors, cut down on noise, and are usually dispatched more quickly when called. Some can change destinations, or group them for quicker response, improving service by as much as 25 percent and creating more user satisfaction while increasing building value.




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