Only about one out of every 100,000 elevator rides gets stuck. This might suggest you don’t need an elevator phone monitoring service for your building.
Learning more about these services will reveal why investing in one is worthwhile.
Power Outages
So, why do elevators get stuck? Weather-related power outages are an increasingly common reason. Therefore, people should know what to do when stuck in an elevator during a power outage. A monitoring service for your building’s elevators helps put their minds at ease.
The International Building Code and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ elevator safety code may also require you to have a power backup system in your building, depending on the number of floors.
Technical Issues
A power outage is the simplest answer to “Why do elevators get stuck?” However, you might encounter any number of technical issues that will knock your elevator out of service, such as:
- Worn sheaves
- Control system glitches
- Motor failure
- Sensor malfunction
Any mechanical failure can cause an elevator in your building to become stuck. To prevent this, arrange to make the necessary repairs immediately.
Lack of Maintenance
You should maintain your building’s elevators once a year. Neglecting to do so can cause many of the technical issues we mentioned.
Hire the right company to provide elevator maintenance services. This will ensure a thorough and professional job.
Poor Lubrication
When an elevator is first installed in your building, all its parts will be properly lubricated. However, over time, metallic fragments from an elevator can contaminate the clean oil used to lubricate its parts, reducing overall effectiveness.
Perform routine oil analysis tests to reveal potential contamination and lubricate elevator parts with clean oil accordingly.
Improper Usage
Another factor to consider when answering the question, “Why do elevators get stuck?” is how they’re used. Improper usage may lead to complications with the elevators in your building.
Here are just a few examples:
- Overloading them with too much weight
- Smoking or vaping in them
- Vandalizing them
If you ever suspect the elevators in your building have been used improperly, schedule service. A professional can inspect them for signs of trouble.
Old Age
As an elevator ages, it may break down and get stuck constantly. If you don’t keep up with making the necessary repairs, parts within an elevator will start to degrade and cause complications.
An older elevator might also rely on outdated technology and software, which can lead to more frequent breakdowns.
Upgrade Your Elevator With One Call
“Why do elevators get stuck?” isn’t a question you should have to ask very often. Most elevators won’t get stuck at all throughout their lifespans.
However, there is always a small chance that one of your building’s elevators will suddenly stop working. ELEVATE Monitoring can monitor your building’s elevators, field maintenance requests, and emergency calls 24/7.
Contact us at 877-990-9191 for more information on our services. We can also answer other elevator-related questions, such as “How long do elevators last?”
