Lift Systems
Service & Maintenance
What a maintenance regime actually involves
| Activity | What it addresses |
| Planned preventive inspection | Chain, guides, drive, controls and safety systems checked to schedule |
| Lubrication | Sealed units require attention only at long intervals; open systems differ |
| Controls and safety verification | Positioning behaviour, limits, interlocks and emergency operation |
| Wear assessment | Trending against the cycle count rather than the calendar |
| Spares provision | Availability of components across a service life measured in decades |
| Breakdown response | Attendance when something is wrong, with the right parts |
| Statutory inspection support | Assistance with examination obligations and record keeping |
Statutory obligations
A maintenance contract is not the same thing as a statutory examination, and the distinction matters to a duty holder. Lifting equipment is normally subjected to thorough examination requirements governed by the jurisdiction where the lift is installed — generally every six months for equipment used to lift people, and every twelve months for other lifting equipment, or in accordance with an examination scheme. Servicing and examination are separate activities with separate records.
One characteristic of this technology genuinely changes how maintenance should be planned. Service life is defined in cycles — rather than just in years, and duty across SERAPID installations varies enormously. A nuclear waste elevator running two hundred cycles a year and a warehouse goods lift running continuously through three shifts should not be on the same annual schedule.
A maintenance regime built around actual cycle count is more appropriate than a calendar interval applied uniformly, and for low-duty installations it is considerably cheaper. .
Equipment designed for decades of service raises an obsolescence question, and it is a fair one to ask of any supplier. Because rigid chain systems are assembled from standard industrial components rather than proprietary sub-assemblies, the exposure is lower than it would otherwise be — but availability commitments should be agreed explicitly rather than assumed.
The other end of the service relationship is replacement — and rigid chain is frequently specified as a direct replacement for an ageing hydraulic or traction lift, removing the borehole, the fluid, the machine room and the cooling in the process. For an asset owner already holding a maintenance contract on failing equipment, that conversation usually starts with the service team.
Frequently asked questions
Considerably less than a hydraulic equivalent. There is no fluid to change, no pump to service and no accumulator to fail, and the system is guaranteed to one million cycles. A service agreement is about ensuring the small amount of required work happens reliably.
No, and the distinction matters. In the UK, lifting equipment is subject to thorough examination under LOLER 1998 — generally six-monthly for equipment lifting people and twelve-monthly otherwise. Servicing and examination are separate activities with separate records.
On site using the installed system, or at a SERAPID facility. On-site training covers your specific installation; facility-based training allows demonstration of components and conditions that cannot be shown on a live lift.
Not necessarily. Service life is defined in cycles rather than years, and duty varies enormously between installations. A regime built around actual cycle count is more appropriate, and for low-duty lifts it is cheaper.
Rigid chain systems are built largely from standard industrial components rather than proprietary sub-assemblies, which reduces obsolescence exposure. Availability commitments should be agreed as part of the service arrangement.
Yes. Service & Maintenance attaches to any of the four scope levels, including installations where SERAPID supplied only the drive train.
Partner with SERAPID
Successful lift projects begin with clearly defined responsibilities and the right level of engineering support. Whether you need a standalone Drive Train, a complete Lift Package, or a fully installed Turnkey Lift, SERAPID provides the expertise, technology, and flexibility required to deliver exceptional results.
Our engineering specialists work closely with architects, consultants, contractors, OEMs, and building owners to determine the optimal scope of supply before design and construction begin. By defining the right project boundary early, you can reduce risk, improve coordination, and ensure a smoother path to successful project completion.
Whatever your application, SERAPID offers a lift solution that fits your project — and a scope of supply that fits your team.
Contact SERAPID to define your scope of supply
Discuss your lift project with our engineers and choose the right level of support, from Drive Train to fully commissioned Turnkey Lift.