If you need your elevator repaired, or are repairing the elevator yourself, then you should have an idea as to what you do before you do anything inside the elevator shaft. The three most important parts of elevator maintenance or repair are to make sure you have the correct permits, the right tools, and that all safety procedures have been met and followed.

The Right Permits

The first step to elevator maintenance is to make sure that either you, or whoever you hire, have all the right permits and certifications needed to work on the elevator at hand. Most districts in the U.S. require those working on elevators to be certified professional Elevator Constructors. Not only is it typically against the law for someone without the right certifications or training to work on an elevator, but you risk having the job done incorrectly or worse, unsafely. Once you've found an elevator mechanic in your area, it's important to get the proper building permits if the work you want to have done requires major changes to the system or if you're installing a new elevator system.

The Right Tools

Elevator mechanics use tools similar to those of other construction or mechanical trades, but with some differences. Elevators combine aspects of mechanical machinery and its nuts, bolts, and other metal parts with the electrical components that power the elevator. As such, they typically need wrenches, screws, welding tools, voltage monitors and other electronic tools, and various tools to handle the wiring within the elevator system. If you're hiring an elevator maintenance person or even a team, consider asking to see if they have everything they need.

Safety

Finally, it's important to make sure that everyone working on the elevator follows all the safety procedures around elevator maintenance. This not only means that the mechanic that is doing the work at hand needs to repair the elevator correctly well before it's used, but also that they have all the right tools to keep themselves safe while they work. For example, they will need the right equipment to keep themselves safe in the narrow elevator shaft, while also keeping clear of the sparks and fumes that come with welding. Additionally, voltage meters and similar tools are of the utmost importance when the mechanic works with the electronic elements of the elevator. Consider reviewing the regulations around what is needed for every element of the mechanic's job.

Elevator maintenance is important and difficult work. You need to find a mechanic that has the right training for the job and to make sure they have all the right tools for the job. Finally, make sure to keep your mechanic safe as they work.

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