Steps to Take in Advance of a Hurricane to Protect Your Elevator
When hurricane season approaches, building preparedness often focuses on securing windows, stocking emergency supplies, and reviewing evacuation plans, but one critical system is often overlooked: the elevator.
We’re experiencing a rash of severe weather events throughout much of the country and elevators can be highly vulnerable to power outages, flooding, and mechanical failure during severe weather events, making hurricane readiness essential for safety and damage prevention. We’ve outlined key steps property managers, maintenance teams, and building owners can take to prepare and service elevators before, during, and after a hurricane, helping to protect both equipment and guests.
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Ensure Pit Sump Pumps are operational and have battery backups or generator power
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Check for an repair any leaks in the hoistway or machine room to ensure no water intrusion occurs
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Prior to the storm hitting park all elevators at the top most floor and shut off power – if possible install water resistant barricades on any hoistway landing doors that may be exposed to floodingÂ
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Place signage on elevators and restrict access
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Test backup generator power to ensure it is operational in the event it is needed for an evacuation
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Verify two way emergency communication is working in all cabs
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Make sure building staff and tenants know emergency procedures and contactsÂ
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Install a pit flood alarm that notifies building management when water is detectedÂ
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Schedule a post-storm inspection prior to restarting elevatorsÂ
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Document your elevator’s pre-storm conditions with photos and maintenance log to help work with insurance companiesÂ
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Review your elevator insurance policy to ensure elevator equipment is properly covered
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Keep a record of elevator serial numbers and warranties on file for claimsÂ
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Consider modernizing your elevator and relocating your machine room to a higher level if in a flood prone regionÂ
We understand that properly functioning equipment is critical to your operations. That’s why we offer comprehensive maintenance and service solutions designed to keep your systems running safely, efficiently, and reliably. Whether you need routine maintenance, troubleshooting, or emergency service, our team is ready to respond with expertise and efficiency. To best prepare for severe weather events like hurricanes, contact Ascent Elevators today for preventative service and safeguards to ensure your elevator systems stay up and running.
