Spring Cleaning: When did your elevator technician last check your elevator?

As the vibrantly colored flowers bloom once again, we welcome another spring. Letting in the sunlight and warmth can prompt us to tidy up everything we see. It’s not just you, that excitement that comes from embracing the new season filled with longer days is a common feeling. Since the dawn of time, it seems as if we are biologically programmed to notice these bursts of energy as the chilly winter melts away.

Spring cleaning is a phenomenon that has affected all of us on a personal and national scale, while we clean our homes and read the magazine articles on organization ideas. We all know that it’s important to take this productive time and put it to good use. Some great tips could be to clear the clutter in our desk drawers, sort out the kitchen pantry or even make sure our elevator pit has been routinely checked.

While that last tip may not seem particularly relevant, many building owners and managers would disagree. Just like we tend to lose small objects like our car keys or credit cards and magically find them under the couch — the same can happen with an elevator pit. This is just one of the reasons that your elevator pit should be high up on the spring-cleaning to-do list.

What is an elevator pit?

The layout of an elevator system, whether a hydraulic or traction design, requires there to be a pit. When constructing an elevator, it’s important that the dimensions of your hoistway, or shaft, allow enough room for your pit.

Just like all other factors that go into constructing an elevator, your local code requirements will determine how you build the pit. This means that an elevator pit on the east coast could need to have a different width than one on the west coast. No matter what the requirement is, it will shape how your elevator is designed.

The pit may be an overlooked portion of the elevator, but it is an absolutely critical part of daily elevator function. It will typically contain important equipment like piping and the jack for a hydraulic application or a set of springs and a governor sheave for a traction application. Not to mention that all pits should have a ladder and lighting for the technician to safely get in and out, along with outlets for their tools.

Why does my elevator pit need to be cleaned?

Since this area at the bottom of the shaft contains the important machinery mentioned above and more, keeping it clean seems like the obvious step to take. Cleaning the pit not only ensures that technicians will have a tidy and safe working environment, but it is good for your elevator as well.

Just as we visit a dentist on a regular basis to be seen by a professional and get a cleaning — your elevator pit should receive the same treatment.

Passengers often drop items mistakenly into the hoistway and forget about it quickly. Some common debris can include napkins, loose change and even leftover food items. After a while, debris will pile up and can cause issues like odors wafting up through the hoistway.

While debris is one of the more common reasons for clearing out an elevator pit, more serious factors can play into this, too. Small leaks can occur with hydraulic applications that need to be taken care of. Also, if water is collected in the pit, this can eventually hurt the machinery at the bottom of the shaft.

Ensuring that the pit is cleaned well and regularly will help to keep your equipment running smooth while giving your technicians a polished working area.

When was the last time you checked your elevator pit?

Now we can get into the most important question of the day: when was the last time you checked your elevator pit? If you need to sit and ponder this question for a while, then you already have your answer. It’s been far too long. Getting your pit checked on routinely should be a priority for building owners and property managers.

Make sure to check with your elevator service provider to understand the plan you have in place for your elevator pit. As we have learned, the best thing for your system is to receive prompt and timely cleanings as well as service to get maximum uptime for your tenants.

If you have questions about our offerings, please contact your local TK Elevator branch manager. Happy spring cleaning!