In this blog, I have covered a number of elevators throughout the world that are known for extreme reasons. There have been some incredibly tall elevators with stunning (and sickening) views and also some elevators that have creative adverting that interacts with the opening and closing of the cabin. Sometimes there are elevators that may not be as special as those previously covered here, but one news story out of Australia is covering an elevator with a hefty price tag

According to this article from The Sydney Morning Herald, some Australians are angry over the cost of an elevator that was installed specifically for the Queen of England, who is coming to visit soon:

“The West Australian government has been criticized for spending more than $400,000 on a one-story elevator at Government House to accommodate the Queen when she visits Perth in October. In the state budget, the WA government said because the first floor of Government House was where all guests would stay and where the governor’s private suite was located, $445,000 would be spent on the purchase and installation of an elevator.”

The opposition to this elevator installation isn’t just due to the cost, but to several other factors, including the money spent on other fixes for this visit. This includes:

-          Driveway upgrades  of $201,000

-          Accommodation upgrades of $191,000

-          Several thousand dollars spent on catering setup and furnishings
Some Australian lawmakers are outraged at these costs, especially that of the one story elevator which will not be open to the public:

“…opposition spokesman John Hyde said funding for elevators would be better spent at venues where the senior citizens of Perth regularly went.’Homeswest residents at Stirling Towers in Highgate are battling old elevators that break down trying to get up 11 floors.’”

The majority of buildings being supervised by property managers have commercial elevators in them, primarily because accessibility is better than exclusion. However, newer buildings are required to have elevators for handicapped accessibility, so building managers must be aware of regulations and how to properly care for these important transportation devices. PM Advantage has a list of tips for property managers who must keep up to date with proper elevator maintenance. Here are a few of the more important tips:

Examinations Once a Month – Hire an appropriately certified elevator technician to come inspect your system at least once a month. A lot of companies are known for giving cheaper, less time consuming inspections, so ensure that your technician is as thorough as necessary. You want your elevators to be as safe as possible for tenants and business persons.

Long Term Consideration – It may cost a pretty penny in some older systems, but look for updated elevator systems upgrades to help you save on energy and increase satisfaction in elevator users. Don’t forget that having energy conservation in your building can also add to your tax rebates!

Pick the Best Manufacturers – The majority of elevator breakdowns can be due to faulty equipment made by mid-level elevator manufacturers, especially the elevator doors. Make sure to research the elevator companies in your price range and stick with a company that offers a long warranty and has a high level of customer satisfaction.

Keep Records of Elevator Stats – Keep a log of all the elevator statistics that you would like to report to your elevator company and technician. This can include things like downtime, speeds, predictable uptime and tenant satisfaction. Having this information can aid you when discussing issues and concerns with your elevator technician or elevator manufacturer company.

Ah, summer. When I think of heat temperatures and the beach trips that come with this penultimate season, I also think about the trouble that it causes when it comes to elevators. Usually – as I have mentioned several times before – the heat that we experience in the summer can take its toll on the operational ability of lifts and elevators. Power outages, brown outs and high heat can all have adverse effects on the inner workings of elevator mechanisms.

However, the high temperatures of summer are not the only reason that an elevator may stop working. According to the Valley Independent Sentinel, Shelton High School in Shelton, Connecticut, recently had an incident involving a stalled elevator and some rule-bending students:

“A Shelton High School elevator got stuck between two floors Wednesday afternoon after too many students piled into it. There were 13 students in the elevator, according to Shelton High School Headmaster Beth Smith. The weight from the overloaded elevator caused the emergency brakes to enact, stopping the elevator between the second and third floors, Smith said.”

The Headmaster called in emergency personnel as a precaution after the lift stopped. Apparently, the elevator’s weight limit had been exceeded by a number of students who did not belong in the cabin. The students not supposed to be there are in trouble:

“‘The elevator is run by a swipe card system,’ Smith said. ‘When the door opens, it’s just like any other door. Anyone can go in.’ Smith said the school will take disciplinary action against the students who did not belong in the elevator.”

Think about this story the next time you try and squeeze yourself into that residential elevator or commercial elevator with what seems like too many people. Although you may not be put into a dangerous situation, the emergency brakes on your cabin may stop if the weight seems like too much for the lift. Wait for the next cabin and keep your elevator as safe as possible.

Elevators, escalators and stairlifts are very important to the mobility of people all around the world, especially those who are handicapped in some way. The majority of public transportation across the United States focuses on handicapped accessibility in the form of elevators, ramps and other means of easing transportation for handicapped riders. However, there are many areas in our public transportation systems that have issues that can directly affect people in wheelchairs and the like.

This isn’t due to the elevator breakdowns that I’ve discussed at length in this blog, but to outdated train platform areas that do not have accessibility for those who need the ability to use public transportation. For instance, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is actually shutting down some T stops for 6 months, according to Boston.com:

“The MBTA will close the Lechmere and Science Park/West End Green Line stops for six months beginning Saturday as work begins to build new elevators at the Science Park/West End stop. Shuttle bus service will replace Green Line trolley service between North Station in Boston and the two closed stations through November, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said.

The T is building two elevators at the Science Park/West End Station to improve accessibility for the disabled.The station platforms will also be widened, the platform canopies will be replaced, and the station stairways will be reconstructed.”

Even though this project will certainly aggravate some who consistently use public transportation, building elevators will be incredibly helpful to those with limited mobility and other medical conditions. As we progress into the future, more outdated areas and buildings will need to be updated to current handicapped accessibility codes with the installation of residential elevators and stairlifts.