A lift is essential in a multi-storey building, and we know what an inconvenience it is when it doesn’t work. Whilst we carry out monthly servicing and full inspections twice a year, there are some common causes of breakdowns. Here are a few things you can avoid, to keep it running smoothly. Blocking doors Holding the doors open by blocking doors is a common cause of breakdown. Automatic lift doors are equipped with non-contact detectors which cause doors to re-open if they sense an obstruction whilst closing and this equipment will shut down the lift to protect door motors from damage. Automatic lift doors are equipped with detectors which cause doors to re-open if they sense an obstruction whilst closing and this equipment will shut down the lift to protect door motors from damage. Pressing multiple call buttons Pressing both the up and down call buttons simultaneously causes the controller to stop to answer a directional call when there are no passengers waiting. Overloading the lift Overloading the lift puts a strain on its mechanisms, negatively impacting performance and potentially causing the lift to stall. There’s a sign in your lift telling you the maximum weight it can carry. Forcing doors open Attempting to force doors open can cause damage to the lift. If you are stuck press the alarm button which will alert our contractors who will respond promptly, day or night, 365 days a year. They will send the nearest engineer they have to help you. If you have a mobile phone with you, you can also reach us on 0300 131 7300 any time of day. Please do not call the Fire Brigade unless there is a medical emergency, as they will not attend. Whilst being stuck may be distressing, trying to force the doors open can cause further damage, making it take longer to fix. Dropped weights and spillages Improper handling of goods in lifts can cause significant strain. Dropping heavy items, dragging equipment, or spilling liquids can all damage interior components. Please take care not to spill anything and if you’re moving something heavy, try and place it carefully in the lift. How do I report a broken lift? Call us immediately on 0300 131 7300 or email repairsandmaintenance@isha.co.uk General breakdowns should be reported to us first, and we’ll arrange for our contractors to attend. Please provide as much detail as possible such as what floor the issue occurred at. A description of noise or photos can help as well as the more information we have, the sooner we can get it up and running again. Read more news stories Return to Graphics Version