Commercial lifts are one of the most used pieces of equipment in a building, and some of their surfaces are (rightly) given copious attention in order to reduce the spread of bacteria between, for example, buttons and handrails. Hidden areas of the lift can be overlooked – how many times have you considered the cleanliness of the elevator pit?
Over time, these spaces can accumulate huge amounts of dirt in the form of dust, grease, rubbish and unwanted critters. These compromise the safety and regulatory compliance of the lift, even though they contribute nothing to the outward appearance.
It is critical as a building manager to protect your lifts as the asset that they are and the risk that they might become without proper maintenance. Professional cleaning is essential, and in this article, we will explore the reasons why and how to plan effectively for lift and elevator pit cleaning.
Safety Protocols for Lift Maintenance and Cleaning Access
When maintaining and cleaning lifts and elevator pits, cleaning staff must coordinate with lift technicians before the process of cleaning can begin at all. Lift pits are restricted-access areas where trained personnel only can be present because there are significant risks associated with the space and its machinery.
Primarily, the lift pit is a confined space and has all the associated risks of this, including asphyxiation and entrapment. The moving parts of the lift present tremendous risk, making it essential for stringent lock-out or tag-out procedures to be used to ensure that the lift cannot be used while staff are in the pit.
Safety equipment is essential when working in a high-risk environment like a lift pit. Fall protection must be employed, and confined space considerations must be made to keep cleaners safe. PPE of various kinds will be needed to ensure safety at all points of the cleaning process.
Matthews Cleaning Company is committed to safe and certified cleaning processes; therefore, we will work with building managers to document protocols relevant to the lift pit cleaning process. We ensure compliance with WHS requirements and the requirements of individual building managements.
Why Lift Pits Accumulate Dust, Grease, and Debris
Lift pits can and do catch a lot of dirt and rubbish. Dust is blown in from different floors of the building or tracked in on lift users’ shoes; grease slips from lift mechanisms; and small objects can fall through the door gaps. Pests are often attracted to the warm, moist spaces and especially to food-based debris.
There are significant risks associated with the build-up of dust, grease and debris:
- Lint and dust can catch fire easily.
- All debris can interfere with the mechanical parts of the lift, such as sensors or safety equipment.
- Built-up rubbish creates foul odours that permeate the lift shafts and can spread into the building too.
- There are concerns around hygiene, especially in strata or public-use buildings where many users can track dirt in and out of the lift.
Regular lift pit cleaning reduces the long-term costs of repairing the lift. Preventing the build-up of dirt and debris reduces damage over time to the sensitive mechanisms and electrical components that operate the lift, therefore ensuring that mechanical failure is avoided and the lifespan of the whole lift is extended.
Cleaning and Disinfecting High-Touch Surfaces (Buttons and Handrails)
The interior of a lift can be touched hundreds or even thousands of times a day by people passing in and out of different levels of a building. As a result, lifts are prime transmission points for infections such as the common cold and stomach bugs and should be cleaned intensively on a regular basis.
On stainless steel and electrical surrounds, non-corrosive disinfectants should be used. Product information should state whether it is safe for use in these areas. It is important to avoid overspray or excessive moisture that could have an adverse effect on electrical contact points that must remain dry at all times. In newer buildings, it is becoming common to see touchscreen lift panels, which should be given special care, but are no less important for disinfection.
Handrails and walls can become covered with smudges and fingerprints, which are a visual reminder of the microbial build-up that can be common in lifts. Of course, where stainless steel is involved, microfiber cloths should be used as far as possible to avoid streaky residue after cleaning.
As far as flooring is concerned, these should be cleaned with anti-slip solutions that dry quickly, to prevent the lifts from being out of service for any more time than necessary.
Scheduling: Minimising Disruption for Strata Residents and Office Staff
Lift cleaning and maintenance must be carefully planned to coincide with quieter times in any building. Lifts are an essential accessibility tool and should not be out of service for extended periods. Matthews Cleaning Company is reliable and efficient in this area: we will always finish within our agreed window of time to prevent operational obstacles to the usage of a building.
These strategies are useful for cleaning that causes minimal disruption:
- Schedule cleaning around building closure times, or in the early morning to fit into the quietest time of day.
- Coordinate with building managers when scheduling lift closures.
- Close lifts on a split-service schedule where possible, meaning that building users may still access upper levels via a different lift.
- Communicate future closures clearly to notify building users in advance.
- This is especially important in strata buildings where not all units are occupied at the same time of day.
- Ensure a rapid turnaround for lift cleaning, with highly-trained and well-prepared staff.
Conclusion
Lift and lift pit cleaning is vital to the safety and hygiene of the lifts in your building, as well as extending their performance into the long term. By following proper access protocols and safety procedures, carrying out detailed cleaning of lift pits, and disinfecting the high-touch areas on a regular basis, your lifts will be kept safe and presentable for your clients and building users.
Cleaning and maintenance should not mean immense disruption to operation within a building: strategic planning can minimise the inconvenience of lift closures.
Strata committees and building managers: book a professional lift cleaning assessment with Matthews Cleaning Company today, and we will demonstrate excellence every step of the way to ensure your lifts are safe, clean and compliant.