The Elevator Maintenance Control Program (MCP) is precisely what it sounds like – a program or plan to ensure that an elevator or escalator is maintained correctly throughout its life. Like automobile maintenance, an elevator MCP is similar to the maintenance schedule a car manufacturer publishes for a vehicle, one that specifies a frequency for oil and other fluid changes, brake pad inspections, replacements, and the like. Auto manufacturers will also suggest modifying the recommended maintenance schedules based on particular conditions like towing heavy loads or frequently driving in dusty areas.
According to National Elevator, Inc., the Maintenance Control Program (MCP) prescribed by the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators is one of the most crucial tools used in the elevator and escalator maintenance regimen.
How is the MCP used by building owners, facility managers, and maintenance professionals?
This checklist helps whoever is responsible for managing the facility to keep good records and be “on the same page” with their elevator maintenance company. It also allows provides some accountability for an elevator maintenance company. Ensuring at the very least, they are showing up the look at the system and checkboxes. However, if you’re working with a quality elevator maintenance company, then they will follow through on properly inspecting the unit before signing off or checking boxes on the MPC checklist.
How does it help ensure the safety and performance of elevator and escalator equipment?
It’s designed to help keep track of the required and regularly scheduled maintenance that is occurring on a system. Therefore, as long as your elevator maintenance company is taking the time to do the inspections properly, then the actions associated with the MCP should very much help ensure safety, performance, and uptime.
What do you need to do to make sure that you comply with the MCP?
It all starts with the MCP checklist, and then it’s making sure that the location of the list is understood and aligns with the rules of your State Inspector. Also, the frequency of the on-site visits of your elevator maintenance company should line up with the required program specs.
It is also essential to understand where an elevator MCP differs from an automobile’s recommended maintenance, and here are some differences noted by National Elevator, Inc.
- Having an MCP for a specific elevator or escalator is mandatory in those jurisdictions that have adopted the 2000 or more recent edition of the ASME A7.1/CSA B44 elevator code;
- Building owners are responsible for having an MCP for each elevator or escalator in the facility, and the contracted maintenance company is responsible for providing and following that plan. MCPs may be developed by the equipment manufacturer or a third-party maintenance professional or consultant;
- Maintenance records and repair/replacement records must be available for viewing on-site, either physically stored in the building or available electronically using an internet-enabled computer;
- MCPs can be very specific to an elevator’s intended use. The same elevator model may be installed at one location in a three-story public school, and down the street in a three-story church or synagogue. The maintenance plans for each elevator can and should anticipate passenger demand (e.g., two days per week of high usage in the church, five days in the school) and seasonal demand (12 months for the church, low use for the school during the summer).
In Summery, it is important to have a solid understanding of your Elevator Maintenance Control Program (MCP) in order to make sure that the elevator company that you have contracted to maintain your system is doing their inspections in a diligent and timely manner.
Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns about your Elevator Maintenance Control Program (MCP).