LIFTjournal 2/2020

Modernising lifts has developed into an important challenge for lift companies in recent years in Europe – as a result of de- mographic change and the regular revision of the legal foundations. Whether we are talking about a component manufacturer, assembly company or maintenance firm: they all have to grapple with this trend. M odernising lifts is a worthwhile invest- ment. Normally, it lowers the opera- ting and maintenance costs and incre- ases operating security. In addition, it helps to preserve and increase the value of a property. Modernising a lift is not the same as mainte- nance or repair, which only ensure that the same standard is retained. Repair work in which the standard is increased is covered by the concept of modernisation. Why is that important? For landlords, this distinction is important if it in- volves the costs and the possible need to pass them on to the lift’s users. Frequently, the unexpected failure of main components that are no longer available or the enormous costs for repairing them result in the lift having to be modernised. Planned moderni- sation increases lift availability and naturally its safety. Renewing outmoded, worn-out as- semblies eliminates potential weaknesses and avoids expensive repairs and failures. This has positive effects on users and increases the overall economic efficiency of the lift. New components correspond to the current standard and are much more efficient. The sub- jects of planning security and liability are im- portant factors in deciding on modernisation. Legally compliant modification of lifts to the state of the art by means of a modernisation often plays a great role in the decision. EXPERT SUPPORT ADVISABLE If the decision has been taken to modernise, the clients provide specific guidelines and specify the process. Since this is a complex task, ex- pert support is advisable. Both neutral expert planners as well as the certified inspection bodies (TÜV, Dekra, GTÜ) are expert contacts for making sure the building measure observes the requirements. First, it should be clarified jointly with the customer what requirements should be set for the modernised lift. The subsequent inspection, appraisal and documentation of the old lift are indispensable for drawing up the tender. At the same time, the parties can check whether any components can still be used – this will reduce the effort and costs involved. A call for tenders then has to be drawn up. An offer can only made with a detailed call for ten- ders and comparison of different providers. One should pay as much attention to the technology being complete as well as to its being correct and to its long-term economic efficiency. ENCRYPTED SYSTEMS In recent years, the subject of market open- ness is playing an increasingly great role in the decision for a provider. This means rejecting dependence on manufacturers whose systems are encrypted and which as a result make main- tenance and malfunction services impossible. Another important factor in awarding the or- der is time. How fast can the work be carried out? This is enormously important for the lift operator. Moreover, it should find out as early as possible when and how long the lift will be unavailable to enable it to plan measures to bridge this period. In the years to come, the complex subject of modernisation of lifts will ensure high capacity utilisation of the lift industry. The tasks for all parties concerned are extensive: suppliers have to further develop the design and manuf- acture of their components according to the current guidelines, assembly companies, main- tenance companies, inspection institutions and associations have to tackle the lack of skilled workers. The challenge is there – let’s tackle it together! ⇤ vfa-interlift.de JULIA MAYLAND The author works in the VFA Board of Directors for press and publicity work. The certified business ad- ministrator has been working in the family company Mayland Aufzüge since 2010 as authorised signatory. digkeit genauso achten wie auf die Richtigkeit der angepassten Technik und eine langfristige Wirtschaftlichkeit. VERSCHLÜSSELTE SYSTEME In den letzten Jahren spielt für Betreiber das Thema Marktoffenheit bei der Entscheidung für einen Anbieter eine immer größere Rolle. Abgelehnt wird vor allem die Abhängigkeit von Herstellern, deren Systeme verschlüsselt sind und die damit einen Wechsel des Wartungs- und Störungsservices unmöglich machen. Ein weiterer wichtiger Faktor bei der Vergabe des Auftrags ist die Zeit. Wie schnell können die Arbeiten ausgeführt werden? Das ist enorm wichtig für den Aufzugnutzer. Er sollte außer- dem so früh wie möglich erfahren, wann und wie lange die Anlage ausfällt, damit er Maß- nahmen planen kann, um diesen Zeitraum zu überbrücken. Das komplexe Thema Modernisierung von Aufzugsanlagen wird in den kommenden Jahren für eine hohe Auslastung der Aufzugsbranche sorgen. Die Aufgaben für alle beteiligten Par- teien sind groß: Lieferanten müssen die Kon- zeption und Herstellung ihrer Komponenten nach den aktuellen Richtlinien weiterentwi- ckeln, Montagebetriebe, Wartungsunterneh- men sowie die Prüfinstitutionen, Vereine und Verbände müssen das Thema des Fachkräf- temangels angehen. Die Herausforderung ist da – lassen Sie es uns gemeinsam angehen! ⇤ vfa-interlift.de JULIA MAYLAND Die Autorin ist im VFA-Vorstand für die Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit zuständig. Die Wirtschaftsfachwirtin ist als Prokuristin seit 2010 in der Aufzugsbranche im Familienunternehmen Mayland Aufzüge tätig. Zunächst sollte gemein- sam mit dem Kunden geklärt werden, welche Anforderungen an die modernisierte Anlage ge- stellt werden. / First, it should be clarified jointly with the customer what requirements should be set for the modernised lift. Photo: © Mayland Aufzüge 11 PERSPEKTIVEN  PERSPECTIVES