Building owners are facing a hidden crisis in elevator maintenance as service windows have shrunk from 4 hours to just 45 minutes per month, according to a leading vertical transportation expert who argues this dramatic reduction threatens thorough safety inspections.
“I used to get four hours every month to maintain an elevator. Today, the technicians are getting 45 minutes,” says Michael Walsh, Vice President of STO Building Group and veteran elevator consultant. “When you break down 45 minutes for maintenance, you’re not doing true maintenance.”
The Maintenance Time Crunch
Walsh, who brings over 35 years of industry experience, argues that while elevator technology has advanced, the drastic reduction in maintenance windows means technicians simply cannot perform comprehensive safety checks in the allotted time. This industry-wide shift toward abbreviated service calls raises serious concerns about long-term equipment reliability and passenger safety.
“The elevator companies don’t provide documentation telling you what they’re doing,” Walsh notes, highlighting how this lack of transparency compounds the maintenance problem. Building owners often have no way to verify if critical safety components are being properly inspected and serviced.
Contract Confusion Compounds the Problem
According to Walsh, many building owners are operating in the dark when it comes to their elevator maintenance agreements. “So many building owners that I talked to today and I asked them, ‘Well, how much maintenance are you supposed to get on a monthly basis?’ They don’t know,” he explains.
This knowledge gap leaves building owners vulnerable to inadequate service levels. Without understanding their contractual rights and the maintenance requirements, owners cannot effectively advocate for proper equipment care.
Taking Control of Maintenance Agreements
Walsh emphasizes that the solution starts with building owners taking an active role in crafting maintenance contracts. “Make sure that your contract is always written on your paper and not the elevator company’s paper,” he advises, “because an elevator contract that is put out by the elevator manufacturer is going to favor their needs and not yours.”
He recommends that building owners take a structured approach to maintenance oversight. Clear specifications on required service hours and frequency help prevent lapses, while mandating detailed documentation ensures transparency. Including performance metrics and accountability measures creates benchmarks for quality, and retaining rights to third-party oversight provides an added layer of protection against mismanagement or negligence.
Building Group’s Approach
Walsh’s company, Building Group, works with property owners to develop comprehensive maintenance strategies that prioritize thorough inspections over quick turnaround times. While this may mean higher upfront costs, Walsh argues it’s essential for long-term safety and equipment longevity.
“The technology is advanced but so has the time that companies are allowing to maintain it,” Walsh observes. This disconnect between equipment complexity and maintenance windows represents an growing industry challenge that building owners must actively address through stronger contracts and oversight.
