Today, an elevator company will oversee every step of an elevator's "life," from the conception of what it should be in order to fill the needs of its customer, to the manufacturing of it, and to installation and maintenance of the completed transportation system.
An elevator company can design,
manufacture, maintain, renovate, or upgrade each individual client's preferred mode of transportation to fit their structure's needs.
When one thinks of an elevator, a box with a panel of buttons and a sliding door that moves people and things up and down is what comes to mind. This visualization may include the addition of bland, non-descript music playing during the 60 second trip as well. But the reality is, there are millions of these "relocator" carriers or lifts around the world moving their contents every day at every hour of the year. They are of varying size, shape and design, and their capabilities are endless.
As compact as a dumbwaiter or as large as a freight elevator entrusted to carry equipment, materials, and workers up the framework of a skyscraper under construction, or as unique as a glass "bubble" carrying guests to their suite in a luxury hotel, the possibilities for the design of elevators is endless. An elevator company has the great responsibility of overseeing the construction, upkeep, and proper functioning of elevators in homes, residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, commercial buildings, and structures as varied as The Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower.
The cab of an elevator system can be constructed of various materials, from steel to glass to a metal cage. The interior has even more possibilities: paneling, veneers, mirrors, glass panels, hand rails, lighting fixtures, benches, carpet, fans, a communication system and a panel of buttons. The options are as diverse as the client's imagination and the elevator manufactures' ability to create the vision. The actual "lift" system is another option to consider and discuss with the technician who will install it:
Some of the options an elevator designer or manufacturer has to consider are holed hydraulic, hole-less hydraulic, roped hydraulic, traction based, vertical reciprocating conveyors, freight / industrial, or a completely custom design installation.
An elevator technician will be certified through OSHA and I.U.E.C. and / or the National Elevator Industry Educational Program in order to be licensed to work on these systems. They will also receive in-house training to remain up-to-date on all new technology, equipment codes, and changes to restrictions. These technicians are capable of and responsible for the following tasks:
-Install, replace, renovate or repair a cab
- Check dispatch systems, controllers, door operation, replace, or refinish.
- Check hydraulic jack and pistons.
- Check emergency lowering device.
- Ensure all safety / fire service measures are operational, reliable, and safe.
And various other checks, replacements, and upgrades as needed by the client.
Most property managers and building owners will contract with an elevator company to schedule regular inspection of their elevators in order to ensure they retain a clean safety record, the cabs operate efficiently, the wait time to ride is a reasonable length, and the wear and tear of daily operation is controlled. But the safety of their customers is the top priority for both the elevator company technician and their client.
