In Ontario, no owner shall operate an elevating device or permit it to be operated unless it is licensed and complies with Regulation, O. Reg. 252/08, s. 7., the code adoption document, and any applicable director’s order.
The TSSA monitors the safety of elevating devices in Ontario by periodically inspecting all registered elevating devices. Inspection reports are emailed to owners once they are complete. The owner is then responsible for communicating with their elevator service provider and working with them to resolve deficiencies.
This is where Lincoln Lifts & Elevators can help you fix any deficiencies within the TSSA’s timelines. The TSSA charges you every time the inspector returns for a follow-up. Non-compliance can therefore get costly, and so, as a trusted elevator maintenance company, we can help avoid costly directives in the first place.
Our highly experienced elevator technicians have maintained, repaired, and installed every type of elevator on the market. Whether it’s hydraulic, traction, machine-room-less, commercial or freight, Lincoln Lifts and Elevators has the knowledge and skill to tackle your elevator project.
We are proud dealers for Global Tardiff Elevator Manufacturing Group Inc., a Canadian manufacturer.
However, no matter the elevator or lift manufacturer—Otis, Schindler, ThyssenKrupp, or any other—our team provides exceptional elevator and lift service.
We’ve worked on full-size passenger elevators, freight elevators, handicapped lifts, LULAs, dumbwaiters, material lifts, marine vessels, and several unique devices.
Some manufacturers will provide their own equipment at very competitive prices. However, beware of proprietary control.
Proprietary control is a system that requires the manufacturer’s own tools or software to perform proper maintenance and troubleshooting. The manufacturers don’t share this technology with other companies, so you’re stuck with them for the duration of the elevator’s lifespan or until someone creates an aftermarket workaround.
Unfortunately, the money that you save on the initial purchase and installation of your elevator is quickly gone by the higher service costs from the manufacturer, and the fact that nobody else can service your elevator means you’re at their mercy.
Lincoln Lifts & Elevators only installs non-proprietary equipment. We prefer our customers to stay with us after the installation because they want to, not because they’re forced to.
Q. Do I need to have my elevator licensed and inspected by the TSSA?
A. Unless the elevator is in a private dwelling, the answer is most likely YES. In Ontario, most elevators located in public or commercial buildings are required to be licensed and maintained by an elevator contractor. There are some exceptions such as Federal buildings, some ships and a few other very specific types of lifts. It’s always best to ask if in doubt and avoid costly repercussions.
Q. Do I have to have a licensed elevator contractor service my elevator or can I do it myself?
A. Always have licensed, qualified and trained personnel perform any task on your elevator. For a licensed elevator (see above) it’s a requirement under Ontario Regulation 209/01. Elevators are an extremely safe means of transportation when properly maintained. However, they can be extremely dangerous if someone is tampering with them and doesn’t know what they are doing.
Q. I just purchased this building, and I don’t know who maintains my elevator. How can I find out?
A. If the previous owner didn’t disclose this to you during the deal, then there’s still a few ways to find out. There should be a logbook for each elevator in the machine room. This will have the name of the company that’s maintaining your equipment. It will also show a record of everything that has been done to your equipment. BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU ENTER THE MACHINE ROOM. Depending on the age of your elevator equipment, it may not be guarded completely. There are many hazards in the machine room so don’t touch anything or open any cabinets or panels. You can also ask the TSSA when you fill out your License Ownership Change Application. Some of the information you will need for this form is on the elevator license that should be posted inside the elevator.
Q. What is the most common problem with elevators?
A. Most problems with elevators are door related. A very common problem with the doors is dirt in the track. When the doors open at a floor, look down and you’ll see two sills. One is for the door at the landing and the other is for the elevator car door. There will be a gap between them. You’ll see a groove in each sill that the bottom parts of the doors travel in. If there’s dirt or debris in that groove it can cause the door to not close all the way. Sometimes it will appear to be closed but it hasn’t made the electrical contacts that tell the controller that it is closed so the elevator won’t leave the floor. It may also sit there opening and closing the door. It takes very little to interfere with the door operation so always keep those tracks clean.
Q. What should I do if I get stuck in an elevator?
A. STAY CALM. If the elevator has a phone or phone button, press it and calmly explain to the operator where you are and what’s going on. They will dispatch someone immediately. If there’s only an alarm button, press it. Someone should hear it and send for help. Don’t try prying the doors open. Don’t try prying open the button panel and don’t try forcing the hatch in the ceiling open; it only opens from the outside. You won’t run out of air. Trying to get yourself out of the elevator may put you in a very dangerous situation. You’re safe inside, it’s just inconvenient. Wait for help.
Q. I see the elevator company at my building a lot. Does that mean the elevator is always breaking?
A. Hopefully not. Quite often the elevator technician will be there doing maintenance. We must take the elevator out of service in order to inspect and test many of its components. While we’re doing this, you won’t be able to use the elevator, so it may appear broken, but there’s nothing wrong with it.
Q. How often does the elevator get maintained?
A. The TSSA provides a list of maintenance tasks and the frequency which they must be done for each type of elevating device. These are the minimum though. Your elevator contractor should discuss the building usage, location and environment that the elevator is in, the amount of traffic it will see and any other circumstances that could affect your elevator with you. Together you can agree upon an elevator maintenance schedule that not only meets the TSSA’s minimum requirements but is also the best fit for you to minimize down time and callbacks.
