winter elevator

How to Maintain Your Elevator in the Winter

With winter storms just around the corner, you need to prepare your building, including the elevator equipment. At Keystone Elevator, we maintain commercial elevators, no matter the season. If you’re worried about winter elevator maintenance, we have you covered.

Run Elevators Before Opening

If you have hydraulic elevators, you may want to run them before your property opens for the day. When you run the elevators up and down a few times, you can circulate the oil and warm it up. Warm oil tends to pass more smoothly and will reduce wear on your piston and valves.

Manage the Temperature in the Elevator Room

You never want your elevator room to get too cold. It would be best if you had the room remain between 45 degrees and 90 degrees. Additionally, it would help if you never let the humidity exceed 85%. When your elevator room’s temperature and humidity go outside these boundaries, you are more likely to have a malfunction.

Reinforce all Windows

Before the more challenging winter months, make sure the windows in your machine room are reinforced. You do not want the windows to blow open or for water to seep through. You may need to put plywood sheets over your windows to protect the equipment and maintain the elevator’s temperature.

Invest in Weather Stripping and Entrance Mats

To protect your machine room, you need to check the seals around the doors and windows. If you have any damaged areas, you should replace or repair the stripping before the winter weather worsens. In addition, make sure you have entrance mats that catch rock salt and sidewalk deicers from being tracked into the elevator.

Make Preparations for High Water

During heavy rain or thawing, park the elevators near the center of the shaft to prevent water damage. If water accumulates in the pit, you can keep the cab away from the water. Submerging travel cables or the cab in water can lead to extensive repairs.

Keystone has serviced the Boston area for over 20 years. We understand the importance of a safe, functioning elevator, no matter what the weather looks like outside. Contact us by calling 781-277-4655 or email us today to learn how to care for your elevator!

Why Your Commercial Property Needs an Elevator

elevator

While having an elevator in a commercial building may be standard for many businesses, some buildings do not have one. For some, elevators are a necessity, and even when they are not, all businesses can benefit from an elevator.

How Accessible Is Your Building?

When designing a building, you need to consider accessibility for passengers. Some passengers require another means of access to travel between floors. By adding an elevator, it will provide both the elderly and other riders who struggle with stairs another option.

In addition to those who require accessibility options, you are less likely to appeal to clients or guests if they have to climb several sets of stairs to reach the floor they need. Visitors and employees of your building appreciate elevator travel. Likewise, an elevator makes it easier for your clients to find their way around the building as each floor has clear labeling. With only stairs, it’s easier to get lost.

How Quickly Can Individuals Travel?

Your commercial property will benefit from having less traffic on the stairways. If you have too many people traveling between floors, it can be difficult to get to one place or another quickly with all the congestion.

If your employees have to run up and down the stairs all day, they will be exhausted. Even the most active people become tired when going up and down throughout the day; especially if the departments are split by floors. In addition, rushing when using stairs can be dangerous. An elevator solves the problem when someone needs to travel quickly between floors without injury.

If you have a building that has several floors, then an elevator should be a must-have. At Keystone Elevator, we understand the importance of an elevator in your commercial building. Contact us today to find out how we’ve helped clients in the Greater Boston Metro.

Solid Tips for Budgeting for Your Elevator

elevator

Having a quality elevator in the greater Boston metro area puts your company in a special class. A certain prestige comes with the services of a fine-tuned elevator, but there are potential challenges, too. The lucid budgeting for a new elevator and its upkeep as well as maintaining an older system, depends upon a few proven principles.

At Keystone Elevator, we are here to help you gain clarity on getting the best value for your system. This is true whether you own or manage a mall, hospital, or commercial office building.

A Few Words on Installation

If you are in the market for a new elevator, many factors must be considered. To get the right unit for your building, consider the complete package:

  • The purpose of the elevator
  • The frequency of use
  • The weight of the loads
  • The ADA requirements
  • The aesthetics and ride quality

The cost of a new system depends upon the price of equipment, labor, fees, and taxes. Other expenses include working with architects and electricians and making sure all regulatory codes are followed. Part of the budgeting process includes estimating the lifecycle of the elevator.

Some Advice on a Maintenance Plan

Part of the cost of operating an elevator is maintenance. A regular plan keeps the system operating and ensures the safety of its riders. Keystone Elevator can put together a maintenance schedule based on the type of equipment you have. This gives you a good idea of your expected costs and provides a reliable tool for budgeting. It will also save you money in the long run by avoiding emergency repairs.

When you rely on Keystone Elevator for your elevator needs, you know you are receiving service from expert technicians. We have been in operation in the Boston area since 1995, providing the full array of services for your vertical transportation needs. Contact us to get the full value of your elevator system.

maintenance proposal

Elevator Maintenance Proposals: What To Look For

When shopping around for elevator maintenance contractors, one offer might begin to sound very much like another. In some cases, it might appear that price is the only difference. However, there are some key variations to watch out for between proposals.

Maintenance Frequency

How often is the company proposing to visit your property and maintain your elevators? Ideally, they arrive at a number only after taking a look at your elevators or asking for information about them. Different types and ages of elevators require different maintenance schedules, so they should provide one that matches those specific needs.

Emergency Provisions

What happens if someone gets stuck in the elevator or all the elevators suddenly stop working? Will the company provide 24/7 assistance, or will you need to wait until business hours to get help? If your building opens early or remains open throughout the night, not providing 24/7 service could be a dealbreaker for you.

Level of Service

One factor that will determine emergency provisions is the level of service provided. Three main levels exist in the elevator maintenance industry. The first involves greasing and oiling the elevators. The second involves the provision of full maintenance. Finally, some contractors provide extended full maintenance. Regardless of what label a company provides, be sure to ask for details on what they mean, as details can vary across companies.

Contract Cancellation

What happens if another company offers you a deal you can’t turn down, or what if you find the service provided unsatisfactory? Do you have to wait out the full contract, or can you provide notice and walk away? Be sure to review all of this in the contract cancellation. If the contractor does not initially provide this information, be sure to ask.

At Keystone Elevator, we provide 24-hour service to all of our clients and handle virtually all aspects of elevator maintenance. From installation to modernization and decommissioning, we can handle the job. Call 781-277-4655 or email us today for a quote.

elevator maintenance

Why Invest in Elevator Maintenance

In the hustle and bustle of day-to-day business operations, it is normal to forget about the things that become routine. Most business managers or owners do not give much thought to their elevator maintenance plan, but failing to focus on elevator maintenance is a critical safety mistake. Here at Keystone Elevator, we understand that there are many reasons elevator maintenance is important, and here are a few of them.

1. Consumer and Employee Safety

An elevator is an expected piece of machinery in multi-floor establishments. Consumers and staff don’t typically give too much thought to their operation or how often they’re maintained. To most clients and employees, the elevator just does what it does. They expect it to open when they press a button and carry them to the desired floor without issue. Unfortunately, if an elevator is not in optimal condition, problems can occur, like malfunctioning doors or getting stuck between floors. By working with us to create a maintenance solution that works for you and your establishment, we can ensure that your elevators remain fully functional and in pristine condition.

2. Less Managerial Concern

Preventive maintenance equals peace of mind. Business operations take up enough of an owner’s or manager’s time. Those additional precious hours worrying about preventable elevator repairs when an elevator is shut down can dramatically affect business operations until fixed.

3. Cost Efficiency

While a majority of elevator repairs are inexpensive, especially when they are corrected right away, when problems are left to fester, repairs can become exceedingly expensive. It’s a compounding effect that is better avoided. When choosing to work with our company, we create a maintenance strategy so that any potential problems are dealt with when they are still minor issues.

If you would like to get ahead of any potential elevator problems, do not hesitate to contact a Keystone Elevator technician and schedule an inspection. Our technicians are both certified and qualified to assess any potential mechanical issues and provide you with a proposed maintenance schedule. Call 781-277-4655 or email us today to learn more.

Understanding the Life Cycle of an Elevator

elevator

Elevator Life Cycle Factors 

Elevators come in a variety of styles, types, and models. These differentiating factors may affect the elevator’s maintenance requirements and overall life cycle. However, despite the differences, there are ways to increase the life cycle of all elevators.

How Modernizing Affects the Life Cycle

If you want your elevator to last, you need to have regular maintenance performed. If you don’t invest in regular maintenance, your elevator’s expected life cycle will decrease drastically. An elevator that is expected to last 20 years may now last only 15. While regular maintenance will keep your elevator in working order, it is not always enough to prevent the technology from becoming obsolete. This is where modernization comes in. Modernization is a great option when your elevator needs more than just repairs but hasn’t quite reached its end. Modernization allows you to upgrade your elevator by replacing any outdated components.

How Inspections and Maintenance Plans Make a Difference

Work with your elevator service provider to manage your elevator’s life span. We perform inspections, create maintenance plans, and upgrade an elevator whenever it begins to lose its efficiency. Without a maintenance plan, your elevator is a mystery. There may be seemingly small problems that go unnoticed, but over time they will grow into large, costly problems.

How the Environment Damages Elevators

One of the many things that can affect your elevator is the elements. If moisture finds its way into your elevator, it can result in severe water damage, mold, or rot. Water can completely sabotage any metal structure and mechanical device. Other elevators, such as hydraulic elevators, are vulnerable when it comes to seismic activities and harsh temperatures.

Servicing the Greater Boston Metro, we provide elevator service to office buildings, hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, and more. If you invest in maintenance and modernization for your elevator, you can push the lifespan far beyond the typical 25 years. Start extending the life of your elevator today by contacting Keystone Elevator.

ada compliant elevator

How to Keep Your Elevators ADA Compliant

When you install an elevator, you have to follow the Americans with Disability Act guidelines. The ADA ensures that those who have disabilities can access elevators and safely operate them. As a property manager, it is your responsibility to ensure that the ADA’s regulations are upheld.

Door Opening and Closing Requirements

Your doors must remain open for at least three seconds at a time. Additionally, there should be a reopening device detection point, in case someone gets stuck between the elevator doors. In the elevator, passengers must have a clear sign that the elevator has arrived at the destination. There must be visible signs, lights, and a verbal or auditory signal.

Button Requirements

Numerical buttons have to be in ascending order and must be reachable to someone in a wheelchair. There should also be a two-way communication system that anyone can safely reach. Door open and close buttons have to be above emergency buttons, and there should never be any symbols that could be confused for another. All buttons should also have braille beneath so that those with visual impairments can also access the controls.

Dimension Requirements

In addition to button and door requirements, all elevators must be in an accessible place in the building. The cart must be big enough for a wheelchair to enter comfortably. An elevator should be at least 80” by 54”. When it comes to door width, a wheelchair requires at least 36” width of clearance. Not only does this help wheelchair users, but the width of the door helps when multiple passengers are boarding at the same time.

If a company chooses not to follow ADA regulations, they may face a fine of up to $75,000. When you work with Keystone Elevator, we can help you stay up to date on the changing regulations. To find out more about elevator servicing in the Greater Boston Metro, call 781-277-4655 or email us today!

Modernize Your Elevator In Phases

Most people fear the day that their elevator breaks down. If you focus on repairs and elevator modernization, you may never have to worry about that. To make modernization more affordable, consider phasing it in rather than doing it all at once. If you need to upgrade your cab’s interior, but the elevator has no other issues, you can focus on that first. Generally, you do not have to do everything right away.

How to Upgrade Hydraulic Elevators

If your building has less than ten floors, then you probably have a hydraulic elevator. Hydraulic elevators work using a piston and a jack to move from floor to floor. In a hydraulic elevator, you can upgrade different components at different times. You may choose to work on the controls or the interior and focus on other elements later.

How to Upgrade Traction Elevators

If you have a traction elevator, you should expect to upgrade it more often. Cleanings and inspections have to be completed regularly, and the cost of your upgrades will depend on how many repairs you require at any given time. You can focus on smaller elements of a traction elevator. For instance, you may focus on the controls and leave the hoisting machine for a later date.

How to Obtain Appropriate Permits

If you choose to modernize your elevator, you must have regular inspections and the proper permits in place to do so. Even smaller upgrades require permits. Fortunately, when you use a contractor, you do not have to worry about obtaining the appropriate permits for the job. Licensed contractors can make sure that everything with your elevator modernization is above board.

Elevator modernization does not have to happen all at once. Instead, you can focus on a variety of different elements and slowly modernize them. At Keystone Elevator, we service commercial buildings in the Greater Boston Metro. To find out more about elevator modernization, call 781-277-4655 or send us an email!

 

Elevator Doors: What if the Elevator Takes too Long to Open?

elevator doors opening

A slow, sluggish elevator can be frustrating for passengers. It can also highlight deeper problems with your elevator system. If your elevator doors open slowly, there may be a major problem behind it. Over time, these issues will increase in severity if you do not have them repaired.

Errors With the Installation of the Door Operator

If you had someone else install your door operator, you could be facing issues because of it. If your former contractor did not follow the manual, it can lead to sluggish door movement. This is typically a problem with newly installed elevators. The operator has several components and any disharmony can be a problem. We can do a step-by-step adjustment exercise to diagnose the problem. This typically involves closing the door fully, reattaching the connecting link, turning the drive sheave, and manually opening the doors. Once the problem is diagnosed, we can fix it.

Issues With the Door Drive or Door Control

The door drive or door control is what regulates the door operator. Most elevators nowadays have an integrated-circuit powered door control system. When someone presses the call button, it is recorded in the integrated-circuit and causes the door to open or close. If there is a problem with the drive control, we can repair or replace it for you.

Complications From Ignoring the Problem

If you ignore the problem, it won’t just go away. Any unnecessary friction can damage the door operator. Eventually, the door may stick or refuse to open at all. One of the worst-case-scenarios is that someone becomes trapped inside the elevator because you didn’t repair or maintain the door drive or operator. Also, any delays to your door opening can result in higher electricity consumption.

At Keystone Elevator, we understand the importance of a well-maintained elevator. Call 781-277-4655 or email us today to set up an appointment to service your commercial elevator.

elevator maintenance contract

3 Considerations of an Elevator Maintenance Contract

Elevator maintenance is an essential part of keeping your elevator in good condition so tenants and clients can always get to where they need to be on time. A maintenance plan will make your elevator operate up to code, ensure it passes state inspections, help you avoid costly repairs, and keep your clients and tenants safe. When presented with various contract options, there are three considerations you should make.

What Does the Maintenance Plan Cover?

At Keystone Elevator, we realize each of our clients has different needs when it comes to elevator maintenance. You will need to decide what you need most in an elevator maintenance contract. We custom design our maintenance programs, so if there’s something you need that’s not included in what we present, just let us know and we’ll work to come up with a plan that covers other issues more relevant to your circumstances.

What Is the Cost of Maintenance?

It’s understandable that cost might be one of your biggest issues when looking at your elevator maintenance contract. Fortunately, with our custom features, we can put together a contract that is created with your budget in mind. We can discuss the billing cycle and hourly rates, as well as what the costs are for repairs if they are discovered during an inspection.

What Are the Terms and Conditions?

The terms and conditions of our elevator maintenance contracts are upfront and easy to understand. We want you to be successful, so we discuss our conditions with you upon signing the contract. If there’s anything you’re worried or concerned about, just ask and we’ll go over the details.

Contact Us Today

At Keystone Elevator, we are committed to ensuring your elevator is always in the best of shape with elevator maintenance contracts tailored to your needs. Call 781-277-4655 or email us today to schedule an appointment so we can go over your elevator maintenance contract.