Elevators can safely be described as the “lifeline” of a building, especially in multi-storey buildings. What’s more, they are one of the safest means of transportation in the world. However, safe and reliable operation is heavily dependent on regular maintenance and inspection. Accordingly, there are laws and standards that must be observed during elevator maintenance!
What must be observed when operating / maintaining elevators?
According to the Lifting System Operating Ordinance:
“The operator must ensure that the lifting systems requiring monitoring are operated and maintained in accordance with this ordinance and the operating and maintenance instructions.”
The elevator law states:
“The elevator owner must ensure that the operational safety and maintenance of the elevator are regularly checked and that persons who are trapped in the load carrier in the event of operational control are freed as soon as possible.” Either suitable persons (elevator attendants) or suitable companies must be commissioned with the supervision.
Elevator maintenance in accordance with the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health:
“Ordinance on safety and health protection in the provision of work equipment and its use at work, on safety in the operation of systems requiring monitoring and on the organization of existing occupational health and safety”.
In short: No work equipment may be made available / used in companies if it has safety-relevant defects.
According to the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, elevators are largely classified as work equipment.
What standards apply to elevator maintenance?
DIN EN 13015 Maintenance of elevators and stairs: In the European standard for elevator systems must be kept functional in accordance with the instructions of the installation company. In order to achieve this, the safety of the elevator systems in particular must be guaranteed. Regular maintenance must be carried out to ensure the safety of elevator systems.
Corresponding main inspections must be carried out every two years. Intermediate inspections can be carried out between every two main inspections (for the first time after three years). The main and intermediate inspections are regulated in TRBS 1201 Part 4.
What maintenance is required for elevator systems?
Normal maintenance/basic maintenance
The elevator is visually inspected. Rotating/moving parts are adjusted and lubricated. Repairs or other services are only carried out after a separate order has been placed.
Full maintenance
They are usually concluded during commissioning or in the course of order approval. We therefore recommend clarifying exactly which services are included when concluding a full maintenance contract. At the very least, the following should be included:
- Replacing wearing parts
- Repairs incl. all necessary spare parts
- Arrival and departure
- Troubleshooting incl. Travel and material costs
How can an elevator be operated safely?
Regular maintenance is the quintessence of the safe operation of lift systems. The MyBuilding24 app helps to ensure that no elevator maintenance is overlooked in future . Furthermore, all documentation can be carried out in the app so that all maintenance work and documents can be presented if proof is required at a later date.
Glossary – Laws:
- Lifting system operating regulations
- Elevator safety regulations
- ÖNORM EN 81-1 (electrically operated elevators)
- ÖNORM EN 81-2 (hydraulically operated elevators)
- ÖNORM EN 81-20 (passenger and goods elevators)
- ÖNORM EN 81-50 (safety rules)
- ÖNORM B 2454 Safety inspection of existing elevators and safety rules for modifications to existing elevators
- ÖNORM EN 13015 Maintenance of elevators
- Elevator directive
- TRBS (technical rules for operational safety)
- Upper Austrian elevator ordinance
- Upper Austrian Elevator Act
- Tyrolean Lifting Systems Ordinance
- Tyrolean Elevator Lifting Systems Act
- Carinthian elevator law
- Vienna Elevator Act
- Lower Austrian elevator technology ordinance
- Lower Austrian elevator ordinance
- Styrian Lifting Systems Act
- Salzburg Lifting Systems Ordinance
