Prepare your elevator pit for rain season to save you time and money, avoid elevator closures and keep everyone safe in case of an emergency.
If tomorrow your property was hit with a torrential rain storm that flooded your commercial or home elevator, would you know what to do?
Planning ahead before the intense rain season falls upon you is important for protecting your property, saving repair costs, and staying safe.
The National Weather Center predicts south Florida will experience 40 percent above average rainfall for the months of May, June, and July. The best thing you can do is be proactive by preparing your elevator system to prevent flooding and damage, including setting procedures in case of an emergency.
Why it’s important
As a property manager, it is your responsibility to ensure your building’s elevator system functions properly, especially after experiencing inclement weather, as the safety of your passengers depends on it.
In the case of an emergency, like a flooded elevator pit, do not let precious time go by by having to figure out your equipment or trying to find contact information for elevator pit repairs.
Ensure your elevator pit, hoistway, and machine room are clean, dry and equipped before threatening weather approaches.
When water accumulates inside of an elevator pit, safety hazards can occur, including a shut down elevator system, the development of rust, mosquito breeding, mold and mildew. If this water mixes with trash and hydraulic oils from the elevator mechanics, it now becomes an oily water waste that must be disposed of according to strict EPA regulations.
Your elevator’s hoistway accumulates dust and debris with regular use, on top of that, water getting in can cause electrical damage. Similarly to the machine room, these two spots are susceptible to electrical hazards due to both containing control boxes and wires used to operate the elevator.
Fear not, there are steps you can take in order to avoid water from entering your elevator pit, hoistway, and machine room.
How to prepare
Elevator pit
When was the last time you had your elevator pit checked?
The elevator pit, or lift pit, which is found beneath the elevator shaft, is vulnerable to water intrusion as it is one of the lowest points of a building. If with regular elevator use water can enter the pit area, chances will dramatically increase during rain season.
Protect your pit with a sump pump. Sump pumps are essential to keeping an elevator pit dry as they help remove water, avoid safety hazards, and keep the pit moisture-free.
It is highly recommended to inspect and maintain your sump pump system, ensuring it works properly before severe weather approaches.
Don’t have a sump pump? Not to worry, TG Oil Services’ trained technicians provide exceptional sump pump services:
- Installation
- Inspection
- Repair
- Replacement
Keep your elevator pit safe, dry, and functioning: waterproof your elevator pit. This is a great preventative step to ensure your pit is working properly and in excellent condition before threatening weather arrives.
This strong, proactive measure provides you with peace of mind that riders will be safer, by lowering the chance of rust and mold development, on top of our 5-year warranty that will give you a long-term water-free elevator foundation.
Get a FREE quote from TG Oil Services, an industry leading elevator pit waterproofing company!
Hoistway
Your elevator’s hoistway, or the space where the elevator lift travels up and down, should stay clean and dry as this contains electrical equipment used to function the elevator.
Before a threatening storm approaches, inspect the condition of your hoistway. Is there an abundance of dust, dirt, or grime on the door sills and tracks? This is a huge fire hazard, as well as, a threat to the functioning of your elevator. Hoistway cleaning is a fresh start to decrease the chance of there being a fire, also making it a smoother and safer ride for passengers.
Once your hoistway is clean, check that all vents, doors, and openings are functional. Prevent and decrease falling water from entering by closing off all vents and doors at the top of the hoistway, as well as, sealing any openings you may find.
Machine room
“The elevator machine room is a central area of vulnerability during harsh weather” says Jakub Glowacki, director of repair for Schindler Elevator Corporation.
In order to prevent damage to the machine room, which is designated for essential elevator mechanics and electrical controllers used to operate the elevator, it should be regularly inspected and maintained. However, before a storm take a look at the elevator machine room’s ventilation, openings, windows and doors for possible rain leakage or signs of water intrusion; In addition to, any harboring of dust or dirt. Make sure to close or block all the machine room vents.
If for any reason the machine room has signs of water damage and accumulation of dirt, get it cleaned, waterproofed or restored right away to avoid an increase in humidity and mold development that can lead to electrical shortages.
Get a FREE inspection
TG Oil Services, offers FREE estimates and inspections to elevator pit, hoistway, and machine room services. Our specialized technicians are here to serve and protect you from any damage to your elevator system.
For best results, call before a storm. However, if your elevator pit, hoistway or machine room is flooded or in bad condition, our professional team will assess the damage and get your elevator up, down, and running with the long-term quality service you deserve.
Contact us today so you have one less thing to worry about this rain season!
Written by: Erika Lorenzo