When’s the last time you thought about the technology you use every day? It’s incredibly easy to take for granted our constant necessities and small wonders, blending into our day-to-day as seamlessly as the air we breathe and the water we drink. Elevators, for starters, are one of the greatest and most underappreciated technological wonders. They take us to places we can’t reach, help countless industries across the world with construction and just make life easier as a whole. Elevator repair is an art that takes a combination of technological know-how and artistic elegance, with millions of peoples’ safety on the line should anything go wrong. Let’s take a journey through the history of elevator technology, an elevator company’s general function and how elevator repair works.
When Were Elevators Invented?
Believe it or not, elevators have existed for thousands of years. The earliest elevator recorded into human existence was found all the way back in ancient Rome, later cropping up in various parts of the world with minor differences in-between. Since electricity still wouldn’t be fully harnessed for centuries, these lift systems would use hoists powered by people and later steam engine technologies. Elevator repair was a particular necessity, as even a single crash could have devastating consequences. Elevators used to take a two-person dispatcher and operator team to properly function, though navigational buttons have eliminated the need for these jobs.
How Many Elevators Are There?
The world’s a big place, so you can imagine this number is pretty high! The United States alone boasts an estimated 900,000 commercial elevator installations, each serving an average of 20,000 people every single year. Collectively, American elevators add up to 18 billion passenger trips annually and are an inexorable part of everyday life. Contrary to popular belief, elevators are a whopping twenty times safer than escalators, despite there being far more of the former than the latter.
Where Are Elevators Found?
The majority of elevators are located within commercial, residential or retail properties. They maintain an average rise of 40 feet, which amounts to four or five floors for most major buildings. The world’s tallest elevator is located in China, with the world’s fastest elevator found in Saudi Arabia — it’s capable of both rising and falling at a whopping 10 meters per second. Elevator repair is essential to keep these massive and complex transportation technologies running smoothly, from checking the electrical output to keeping the inner gears clean.
What Kinds Of Elevators Are There?
While there are a wide variety of commercial elevators at our disposal, there are a few that are considered industry standards — passenger, freight, LULA, home and personnel. These are differentiated primarily by their size, speed and capacity. Passenger elevators can be hydraulically-driven, allowing for a maximum travel height of 50 feet. On the other hand, traction-driven residential lifts can allow for medium-height rises.
How Do We Keep Our Elevators Working?
Elevator repair is a fine art that only gets better and better with the advent of technology. According to surveys by United Technologies, elevators carry the equivalent of the world’s population every nine days. As such, engineers and programmers alike work night and day to make sure this incredible form of transportation is as safe as humanely possible. Inspection services are conducted on a regular basis to check on any minor complications before they become a large problem, crossing over with fire and public relation services. With over 10,000 residential elevators being installed yearly, the future of this technology is looking up — if you’ll pardon the pun!br>