Top Suggested Elevator Modernizations for Revamping Your Building

Modernization is the process by which old equipment is upgraded to meet contemporary standards. For elevators, this can include a variety of components such as the interior of the cab, machine room and more. Even if only one component is upgraded, such as a gearless machine, the benefits can last for decades.

All elevator equipment will experience wear and tear over time, and the average lifespan of a traction elevator is 20-30 years. For hydraulic elevators, the timeline is a little shorter: 20-25 years. Though the average lifecycle is only a few decades, the number of years an elevator runs smoothly can be extended considerably through modernization efforts. This will reduce new installation costs in the future as you are able to keep your existing elevator for longer instead of replacing it entirely.

Why Modernization?

Other than additional years of elevator life, modernization can provide numerous advantages for you and your tenants.

As anyone with experience in the elevator industry will tell you, the most critical reason to move forward with elevator modernization is code compliance.

Through research and development, advanced safety technology is constantly released to further the evolution of these systems. For this reason, the ASME 17.1 safety code is updated with new regulations and requirements. Depending on your locality, your elevator may need to be brought up to code. Elevator technicians can help design a fast plan to get the job done and give you peace of mind.

On top of the code update advantages, there is also the added benefit of increased uptime. A study done in 2010 found that the total amount of time commuters across the U.S. spent waiting for an elevator over the course of a year added up to 59 years.

This number may seem shocking, but downtime can add up and cause frustration among passengers. By modernizing your elevator, you will have minimal downtime now and improved uptime later.

Now that we’ve discussed upgrading, let’s take a look at which components of elevator modernization to get started with.

What Modernizations Do We Suggest?

Elevator modernization keeps buildings running smoothly. Creating foot traffic flow, reducing congestion in the lobby and giving the passenger an easy ride are items on every property manager’s wish list. Knowing which feature of your elevator system to focus on can be difficult to choose, so TK Elevator is here to help you decide which is right for you.

Machine Room and Controllers

Machine rooms hold all the necessary equipment that keeps your system reliable, and this also applies to machine room-less applications that store the same equipment in a more compact space to save leasable room. An old geared or gearless machine will still have critical pieces of the elevator such as the governor, drive sheave and cables. But upgrading these components can make a huge difference in reducing downtimes for your tenants. The more modern your machine is, the less service the machine will require.

Controllers are the brain of the elevator system. Ensuring that this controller is up to date with the best that the industry has to offer will help with the key functions of the elevator. The controller manages everything from travel time to the speed at which an elevator door opens.

Destination Dispatch and IoT

Innovation has always been at the forefront of the elevator industry with progress being made daily. In recent years, the growth of digital solutions has taken the industry by storm. Destination dispatch is a popular feature to add as it groups passengers together based on their destination floor. The solution reduces waiting times in the lobby and can work with IoT (Internet of Things) devices to monitor elevator activity.

Using data-driven technology, you can now track elevator activity and predict when it will need maintenance. Solutions like MAX Digital Services utilize cloud-based monitoring to help building managers keep an eye on their system with real-time elevator status insights.

Cab Interior and Aesthetic Features

Last but certainly not least is the cab interior and aesthetic upgrades. Though it won’t affect wait times or the machine, passengers feel safer when their elevator interior is fresh. To those who aren’t elevator experts, the interior is often seen as a reflection of how well the elevator system is kept up as a whole. This is a great reason to get the elevator cab up to speed with current aesthetic features.

Keeping tenants happy can be as simple as finding the right flooring, paneling and LED lighting for your elevator. Your elevator is an extension of your building’s unique style, and it’s crucial that passengers feel at ease when they step into the cab. With endless options and combinations to choose from, your elevator’s interior and aesthetic is an effortless way to modernize your elevator that commuters will immediately notice.

Learn more about modernization here or contact your local branch manager to find the best elevator modernization options to revamp your building.