Historic buildings bring charm and nostalgia to metropolitan areas. The charm and wonder quickly fades however when visitors, employees or residents find themselves hesitating to step onto an aging elevator. Building owners and property managers can eliminate those nervous feelings with appropriate elevator updates.
Out With The Old
Most elevators that were installed more than 30 years ago and as few as 20 years ago are becoming obsolete in their technologies for safety, efficiency, and reliability. Many property owners assume the cost for a full modernization of all elevators would be prohibitive. An elevator service with expertise and experience like Elevator Technologies Inc in Arlington VA can advise owners and managers on matters of budgeting and timing to make a full upgrade possible. Rarely does a full modernization take place all at once. Usually, an elevator service can address the most pressing upgrades involving improved safety technology and new building code requirements.
Up To Code
A building that operates elevators installed before 1972 with Single-Bottom-Cylinders has a high probability of violating city and state building codes as well as ASME standards. It’s a commonplace for local code requirements to include the installation of Double Bottom Cylinders as a replacement for the obsolete Single Bottom Cylinders. This upgrade not only meets safety codes, but also improves elevator response time, ride smoothness, and energy efficiency.
Smooth Operator
After bringing elevator operations up to code, the next upgrades would be the most noticeable ones. Outdated mechanical starters can make for a jarring start and a bumpy ride and are easily replaced with soft starters that provide a smoother ride. Some older elevators still operate with bumper edges in the doors which require them to come into contact with an obstruction to re-open. Newer technology includes light curtains or at least infrared safety edges that detect an obstruction by way of a broken light beam. Any number of other upgrades can come next that will reduce downtime and improve ride quality and energy efficiency including lighting, traction equipment and power units.
Elevator Technologies Inc in Arlington VA can offer property owners expert advice to develop an affordable modernization plan. Click Here to learn more.
