In Massachusetts, where aging buildings meet modern high-rises, reliable elevator service is more than a convenience—it's a necessity. From historic Boston brownstones to new suburban apartment complexes, properly maintained elevators ensure tenant safety, property value, and compliance with state regulations. Tip 1: Schedule Regular Maintenance with Local Experts Ensuring reliable elevator service in Boston starts with scheduling regular maintenance with local experts who understand the city’s unique challenges. Boston’s dense urban landscape, filled with high-rise buildings and historic structures, requires elevator maintenance tailored to local regulations, such as those set by the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Regulations. Monthly inspections, quarterly checkups, and annual certifications help prevent breakdowns, extend equipment lifespan, and ensure compliance with safety standards like ASME A17.1-2022. Partnering with a Boston-based elevator service provider guarantees quick response times and familiarity with regional codes, keeping your elevators running smoothly for tenants and visitors alike. Consider, hydraulic elevators often run slow due to cold temperatures in the elevator rooms. This is related to the viscosity of the oil. Simple fix by adding a heater inside the elevator machine room or a heating element inside the elevator tank. Tip 2: Prioritize Preventive Maintenance to Avoid Downtime Preventive elevator maintenance is essential to avoid costly downtime and ensure seamless operation in Boston’s busy buildings. Regular tasks like inspecting door mechanisms, lubricating moving parts, and checking electrical systems on elevator cars can identify issues before they escalate, reducing the risk of unexpected failures. In Boston, where elevators are critical for accessibility in commercial properties and residential high-rises, proactive maintenance minimizes disruptions and enhances safety for users. By scheduling routine elevator maintenance with a trusted local provider, you can protect your investment and maintain peak performance, ensuring your elevators remain reliable year-round. Tip 3: Ensure ADA Compliance for Elevator Cars in Boston ADA compliance is a non-negotiable aspect of elevator service and maintenance in Boston, ensuring accessibility for all building users. Elevator cars must feature accessible controls, audible signals, and level flooring to meet federal and Massachusetts regulations, particularly in public and commercial spaces. Regular inspections and updates to your elevator car’s design can address issues like uneven thresholds or outdated panels, improving safety and user satisfaction while avoiding legal risks. In Boston’s diverse urban landscape, where accessibility is paramount for high-rise offices and residential towers, maintaining ADA-compliant elevators demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity. Tip 4: Choose Rapid Emergency Repair Services for Unplanned Issues Even with regular elevator maintenance, unexpected issues can arise, making rapid emergency repair services crucial for Boston businesses and residents. Common problems like door malfunctions, leveling errors, or electrical failures can disrupt building operations, especially in Boston’s bustling downtown high-rises. Partnering with a local elevator service provider offering 24/7 emergency response ensures quick fixes, minimizing downtime and maintaining safety for tenants and visitors. Tip 5: Leverage Modern Technology for Elevator Efficiency Incorporating modern technology into elevator maintenance can significantly enhance efficiency and sustainability for Boston properties. IoT-enabled systems, smartphone apps, and predictive maintenance tools allow you to monitor elevator car performance in real time, identifying potential issues before they occur and reducing maintenance costs. In Boston, where eco-conscious building owners prioritize green solutions, technologies like regenerative drives (offered by companies like KONE and Otis) can lower energy use and carbon footprints while improving elevator service reliability. At Keystone Elevator, we understand that reliable elevator service is essential to your property's success and your tenants' satisfaction. With over two decades of experience servicing Massachusetts properties, our team of certified technicians delivers the preventive maintenance, rapid response, and professional expertise your building deserves. From routine inspections to 24/7 emergency service, we're committed to keeping your elevators running safely and efficiently. Contact us today to learn how our comprehensive maintenance programs can protect your investment and provide peace of mind for years to come. For more information call us at 781-340-3860 or email us at info@keystoneelevator.com

As winter approaches, building managers and property owners need to consider how cold weather impacts their elevator systems. Proper winter maintenance not only ensures safety and reliability but also prevents costly repairs and downtime. How Cold Affects Elevator Systems: Cold weather can significantly impact elevator performance and components in several ways: • Metal contraction in cables, rails, and mechanical parts can affect alignment and operation • Hydraulic oil becomes thicker in cold temperatures, potentially slowing system response • Door operators may struggle with increased resistance from cold-stiffened lubricants • Electrical components can face additional stress from temperature fluctuations • Machine room temperature changes can affect sensitive electronic controls Preventing Winter-Related Problems: Take these proactive steps to protect your elevator system: • S chedule pre-winter inspections to identify potential issues before severe weather hits • Check any necessary upgrades to machine room heating systems • Ensure proper lubrication with cold-weather appropriate products • Inspect door tracks and clean them of salt, sand, and debris regularly • Test all weather seals around elevator entrances and machine room • Monitor oil viscosity in hydraulic systems and adjust as needed Emergency Preparedness for Winter Power Outages: Power failures are common during winter storms. Be prepared by: • Installing and regularly testing emergency backup power systems • Having emergency lighting systems in place and properly maintained • Establishing clear protocols for passenger rescue during outages • Keeping emergency contact information updated and easily accessible • Training staff on emergency response procedures specific to winter conditions Maintaining Optimal Performance in Harsh Conditions: Ensure continued reliability through: • Regular monitoring of machine room temperature • Daily checks of door operation and closing forces • Frequent cleaning of entrance areas to prevent salt and moisture damage • Scheduling more frequent maintenance visits during winter months • Keeping detailed maintenance logs to track any cold-weather related issues At Keystone Elevator, we pride ourselves on being a trusted partner for all your elevator needs, regardless of make or model. Our experienced technicians are skilled in servicing hydraulic, traction, and machine room-less (MRL) systems from all major manufacturers. We understand that each building's needs are unique, which is why we offer customized maintenance plans to ensure your elevators perform reliably throughout the harsh New England winters. With our 24/7 emergency service and preventative maintenance programs, you can count on us to keep your vertical transportation running smoothly all winter long. Contact us today to learn how we can help protect your elevator investment during the challenging winter months. info@keystoneelevator.com 781-340-3860

As your building's elevator system ages, the question of modernization becomes increasingly important. While regular maintenance can extend an elevator's lifespan, there comes a point when upgrading to newer technology offers significant advantages for both property owners and tenants. Understanding the signs that indicate it's time for modernization can help you make informed decisions about your building's vertical transportation needs. Modern Feature Innovations: Today's elevator systems offer groundbreaking technologies that transform building efficiency. Destination dispatch systems can reduce travel time by up to 30% by grouping passengers going to similar floors. Advanced motion control systems provide whisper-quiet operation and precise floor leveling within 1/8 inch. Smart machine room-less (MRL) designs save valuable building space while reducing energy consumption. Upgraded control systems now feature predictive maintenance algorithms that can detect potential issues before they cause downtime. Cost Analysis and ROI: While modernization represents a significant investment, the returns are substantial. A typical hydraulic elevator modernization might range from $100,000 to $150,000, while a complete traction elevator modernization could range from $150,000 to $300,000. However, these improvements can reduce energy costs by 40-50% annually, decrease maintenance expenses by 25-30%, and significantly extend equipment life. For example, a building spending $12,000 annually on elevator energy costs could save $4,800-$6,000 per year after modernization. Enhanced Safety Features: Modern safety upgrades include advanced door protection systems using infrared light curtains, seismic detection and operation modes, and regenerative drives that maintain elevator operation during power fluctuations. Emergency communication systems now feature video capability and direct connection to 24/7 monitoring centers. New controllers provide real-time performance monitoring and automatic system adjustments for optimal operation. Building Value Impact: Studies show that modernized elevators can increase property values by 3-5%. For a $10 million property, this could mean a $300,000-$500,000 increase in building value. Additionally, modern systems can reduce insurance premiums by 5-15% due to enhanced safety features and reduced liability risk. Tenant satisfaction typically increases by 40%, often leading to higher retention rates and rental premiums. Implementation Timeline: A typical modernization project takes 6-8 weeks per elevator, with careful planning to minimize tenant disruption. Many buildings opt for a phased approach, upgrading one elevator at a time to maintain service. The process includes: Initial assessment and planning: 2-3 weeks Equipment manufacturing: 8-12 weeks Installation and testing: 6-8 weeks per elevator Final inspection and certification: 1-2 weeks

The Massachusetts elevator industry saw significant changes in January 2023 with the state's adoption of the ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, implemented through 524 CMR. These updates represent important shifts in how elevator systems are installed, maintained, and operated across the Commonwealth, affecting building owners, property managers, and maintenance providers throughout Eastern Massachusetts. One of the most notable changes focuses on Machine Room-Less (MRL) elevators, which have become increasingly popular in modern buildings. The updated code provides more specific requirements for maintenance access to these systems, ensuring technicians can safely and effectively service these space-saving designs. This change particularly impacts building owners considering new installations or modernization projects, as it may affect both design plans and maintenance protocols. Emergency communication systems received significant attention in the code update. The new requirements enhance passenger safety by ensuring more reliable communication during emergencies. Building owners were required to upgrade their emergency communication systems to meet these new standards within specified timeframes, marking a crucial step forward in elevator safety technology. These systems must now provide more detailed location information and ensure better accessibility for all passengers. The code also strengthened requirements for elevator door protection systems, implementing more stringent standards for both new installations and existing equipment. These enhanced safety measures help prevent passenger accidents and reduce building owner liability. Additionally, the update modified testing and inspection protocols, establishing new requirements for both routine maintenance and annual safety tests. Another update in the 2023 Massachusetts elevator code adoption focuses on emergency communication accessibility. A key requirement now mandates that all elevators must provide two-way text messaging capability for hearing-impaired passengers, marking a crucial advancement in elevator safety and accessibility compliance. This important update stems from the adoption of ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19, which recognizes that traditional voice-only emergency communications systems don't adequately serve hearing-impaired individuals. The new requirement ensures that every elevator emergency communication system includes both voice and text-based two-way communication capabilities. For building owners and property managers, this means existing elevator emergency communications may need upgrading to comply with these enhanced accessibility standards. The text messaging system must meet specific criteria to ensure effective emergency communication. The system needs to provide clear, real-time messaging between the trapped passenger and emergency personnel, with visible confirmation that help is on the way. Additionally, the system must be positioned at an accessible height and include clear instructions for both voice and text communication options. For building owners and property managers, understanding these code changes is crucial for compliance and safety. Working with qualified elevator contractors who stay current with code requirements helps ensure your vertical transportation systems meet all necessary standards. Regular maintenance and inspections, performed by licensed professionals, have become even more critical under these updated regulations.