Elevator systems are vital to building operations, but many components become obsolete as technology advances. When critical parts are discontinued or no longer supported, building owners and facility managers face rising maintenance costs, unexpected downtime and compliance challenges. Without a plan in place, finding replacements can be costly and time-consuming.
Elevated can help you identify obsolete elevator parts, explore replacement options and implement strategies to future-proof your system — ensuring reliability, safety and long-term efficiency.
What Are Obsolete Elevator Parts?
Elevator parts become obsolete when they are no longer produced or supported by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This issue can complicate maintenance for building managers and owners as they struggle to keep aging systems operational.
Here are the primary reasons why elevator components may become obsolete:
- Manufacturer Decisions: Often, manufacturers discontinue parts due to mergers, the development of proprietary technologies or strategic shifts away from older product lines. When a component is discontinued, it starts to become scarce in the market.
- Aging Infrastructure: Elevators in older buildings may rely on parts that are no longer in production. As these systems age, the availability of compatible components dwindles, making maintenance increasingly challenging.
- Regulatory Changes: Safety regulations are continually updated to reflect new standards and technologies. Parts that do not comply with the latest safety standards become obsolete, requiring upgrades to ensure that elevator systems meet current codes.
- Technological Advancements: The transition from mechanical to digital systems in elevator technology has rendered many traditional components obsolete. Additionally, innovations aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing space, such as machine room-less (MRL) elevators, require different types of components that may not be compatible with older systems.
Common Obsolete Elevator Components
As technology advances and regulations change, certain elevator components frequently become obsolete, posing challenges for building managers. Here’s an overview of the parts most affected by obsolescence and the reasons behind their phased-out status.
Elevator Control System and Electronics
- Controllers and Circuit Boards: Microprocessor-based controllers are replacing traditional relay-based systems, offering enhanced functionality and integration capabilities. This shift leads to the obsolescence of many older models.
- Motor Drive Systems: The move from DC to AC and regenerative drives is driven by demands for greater energy efficiency and better performance. This transition often renders older drive systems obsolete.
- Sensors and Door Detection Devices: Advances in safety technology have phased out older models like safety edges in favor of sophisticated 2D and 3D infrared detectors, which provide improved safety but can be challenging to replace once they become obsolete.
Mechanical and Structural Parts
- Traction Machines and Motors: The industry is shifting toward gearless traction systems, which are more efficient but result in the obsolescence of geared motor components.
- Guide Rails and Elevator Shaft Components: As designs evolve, older guide rails and related shaft components often do not meet the specifications of new systems, requiring complete system overhauls.
- Machine Room Equipment: Updates in safety codes and the trend toward MRL designs are making traditional machine room components obsolete.
Safety Systems and Compliance Concerns
- Braking Systems and Safety Circuits: To meet current safety standards, older braking systems and safety circuits often need upgrading, especially as safety regulations become more stringent.
- Hydraulic Components: Environmental regulations affecting hydraulic fluids have led to the obsolescence of certain hydraulic components, pushing a shift towards more environmentally friendly systems or different types of elevator systems altogether.
- Motor Starters and Overloads: Older elevators with dry contact mechanical-type starters and overloads are increasingly considered obsolete. Replacing them with electronic softstarters improves reliability, provides better protection against electrical surges such as lightning strikes and helps extend the life of the motor system.
How to Identify Obsolete Elevator Parts Before They Become a Problem
Proactively identifying obsolete elevator parts before they fail is crucial for maintaining system reliability and avoiding unexpected downtime. Here’s how to stay ahead of potential issues:
Partner With a Professional
- System Audits: Collaborate with a trusted elevator service provider to conduct regular audits of your elevator system. These inspections can reveal aging components that may soon need replacement or upgrade.
- Consultant Insights: An experienced elevator consultant can provide warnings about parts that are likely to become obsolete, helping you prepare or prevent issues before they arise.
Stay Informed on Manufacturer Updates
- Manufacturer Notices: Regularly check updates from your elevator’s manufacturer. They often announce part discontinuations well in advance.
- Service Provider Communication: Maintain a strong relationship with your elevator maintenance provider to stay informed about any changes that could affect your equipment.
Monitor Repair Patterns
- Service Logs: Review the frequency and nature of repairs. Increasing repairs can indicate that certain components are nearing the end of their functional life.
- Component Failure Trends: Analyze which parts most frequently need repair or replacement to predict future obsolescence.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
- Regulatory Monitoring: Keep abreast of changes in building codes and safety regulations that might impact the compliance and availability of specific elevator parts.
- Risk Assessments: Regularly assess the potential impacts of critical component failures, including possible downtime and financial implications.
Implement Proactive Strategies
- Modernization Planning: Elevated can help develop a strategic plan for modernizing your system and prioritizing upgrades to obsolete components to ensure continuous operation. A well-structured maintenance program helps prolong the life of elevator components and identifies wear and tear before they lead to major problems.
What to Do When an Elevator Part Becomes Obsolete
When you encounter obsolete elevator parts, navigating the challenge effectively is key to maintaining your system’s reliability and safety. Here’s what you can do to manage and mitigate the issues caused by obsolescence:
Finding Replacement Parts
- Third-Party Suppliers: While OEMs are a primary source for elevator parts, independent suppliers can also be helpful, especially for components no longer in production. However, safety-critical parts should always be sourced from suppliers approved or recommended by the OEM to ensure compliance and reliability.
- Refurbished or Rebuilt Parts: Consider using refurbished parts, which are often less expensive than new ones and can perform comparably for older systems. Ensure these parts meet all current safety standards.
- Cross-Compatibility: Investigate whether modern parts can be adapted to fit your older systems. Retrofitting with updated components can extend the lifespan and functionality of your elevators, though it may require specialized knowledge to ensure compatibility and performance.
Negotiating With Your Elevator Service Provider
- Avoid Overcharges: Be vigilant against service providers recommending unnecessary replacements. Always seek a second opinion if a part is declared obsolete but still seems functional or if the replacement costs seem unjustifiably high.
- Demand Clear Explanations: When told a part is obsolete, request detailed justifications and part numbers. This transparency helps you understand the necessity of replacements and allows you to verify the information independently.
- Explore All Solutions: Ask for comprehensive quotes for repairs, replacements and modernization. Comparing these options helps you make informed decisions based on cost-effectiveness and long-term benefits.
- Contract Negotiations: If your contract includes obsolescence clauses that could lead to costly upgrades, negotiate these terms. Request annual updates on potentially obsolete parts and an ongoing capital planning strategy to manage future replacements strategically.
Modernization Planning: Future-Proofing Your Elevator System
A strategic approach to modernization keeps your elevators reliable, efficient and prepared for future demands. Here’s how you can plan effectively to future-proof your elevators and avoid being caught off-guard by obsolete components or emergency failures.
- Be Proactive: Begin planning for elevator upgrades before component failures disrupt building operations. Work with a specialized elevator consultant to develop a comprehensive modernization strategy that effectively outlines necessary upgrades and budgets, ensuring you’re prepared rather than reactive.
- Budget for Key Upgrades: Prioritize financial planning for essential system updates such as control systems and motor drives. Treat these investments as planned expenditures to enhance reliability and energy efficiency and manage financial impacts smoothly over time.
- Modular Upgrades: Choose modular elevator components — parts designed to be easily replaced or upgraded individually — that support easier and more cost-effective updates. This approach offers the flexibility to adapt to new technologies and reduces the need for comprehensive system overhauls, thereby minimizing both downtime and disruption.
- Regular Maintenance: Establish a robust maintenance schedule that includes frequent inspections and diagnostic tools to monitor system health. This proactive maintenance helps extend the operational life of the elevator, ensures ongoing safety and prevents minor issues from escalating into major problems.
- Stay Informed: Maintain an active engagement with the latest developments in elevator technology and regulatory standards by regularly consulting with industry experts. This awareness helps ensure your elevator systems remain compliant and incorporate advanced features to improve functionality and efficiency.
Stay Ahead of Elevator Obsolescence with Elevated
Staying ahead of elevator obsolescence is key to minimizing downtime, reducing costs and ensuring long-term reliability. Building owners can avoid emergency repairs and costly system overhauls by proactively identifying aging components, exploring replacement options and planning for modernization.
A well-structured maintenance contract is essential to keeping your elevators running efficiently and ensuring compliance with evolving safety standards. Elevated offers comprehensive maintenance and modernization plans tailored to your building’s needs, providing expert guidance and long-term solutions to future-proof your elevator systems. Contact us to get started today!
