Why do elevators need monthly maintenance?

In many buildings the elevator is the most-used machine of all. It starts, stops and opens its doors dozens of times a day. Keeping a system that works this hard running safely depends on regular, properly done maintenance.

A legal requirement: at least once a month

In Turkey, elevator maintenance is governed by regulation. Elevators must be serviced at least once a month by an authorised company holding a Service Competence Certificate from the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE). The person responsible for the building — the manager or owner — must arrange this.

Before signing with a maintenance company, ask to see its TSE Service Competence Certificate. You can verify that it is valid on TSE’s website.

What is checked during monthly maintenance?

Good maintenance is not satisfied with an elevator that merely “works”; it aims to catch problems before they become breakdowns. A monthly visit usually covers:

• Brakes: the car stops safely and stays level at the floor.
• Ropes, belts and sheaves: wear, tension and alignment.
• Doors and door locks: the car must not move unless the doors are closed.
• Safety circuits: emergency stop, overspeed governor and limit switches.
• Inside the cabin: lighting, alarm button and emergency communication.
• Controller and machine: connections, settings and fault logs.
• Pit and buffers: cleaning and physical checks.

Every task is recorded on the maintenance form and shared with the building management.

What happens if maintenance slips?

Skipping maintenance can look like a saving in the short term, but the consequences are usually more expensive:

• A small adjustment issue can grow into a major breakdown.
• The annual inspection finds deficiencies and the elevator may get a yellow or red label.
• Most importantly, users’ safety is put at risk and the building’s responsible party becomes legally liable.

A short checklist for building managers

• Does your maintenance company hold a valid TSE Service Competence Certificate?
• Is a signed maintenance form handed to you every month?
• Are breakdowns logged and recurring problems reported?
• What colour was your elevator’s last inspection label?

If you answered “no” or “not sure” to any of these, let’s review your elevator together. Tunç Lift provides monthly maintenance through its TSE-certified service team.