The facility manager has the comprehensive technical, organizational and economic expertise to optimally manage the replacement of an elevator that is in a state of disrepair or is to be decommissioned due to its life cycle. As the central interface between the building owner, users, specialist planners, inspectors and service providers, they have the best overall view of the building technology and the associated operational requirements.

The key core competencies of the Facility Manager in elevator operations and projects are:

1. Holistic responsibility for the condition of the building
   The facility manager recognizes safety-relevant defects, signs of wear and tear and economic risks of an outdated elevator at an early stage. Thanks to regular maintenance, inspections and documentation, they can make a well-founded assessment of when a replacement is actually sensible and necessary instead of a repair.
2. Technical expertise
   Thanks to their comprehensive knowledge of building technology and relevant standards (e.g. EN 81, BetrSichV, TRBS 3121, etc.), facility managers can correctly define the technical requirements for a modern, safe and energy-efficient elevator system.
3. Coordination of specialists
   The replacement of an elevator requires the cooperation of various experts – from elevator manufacturers to construction planners and testing organizations. The facility manager assumes complete project control, ensures clear communication, on-time processes and quality control.
4. Economic and strategic assessment
   Only the facility manager prepares professional cost-benefit analyses during the life cycle of an elevator system, takes life cycle costs into account and evaluates different modernization or replacement options in terms of cost-effectiveness, sustainability and building use. They also have an overview of the elevator market, know the key elements of modernization and ensure maximum cost-effectiveness when it becomes necessary to replace the elevator.
5. Ensuring smooth operations
   During modernization, the facility manager organizes alternative solutions, informs user groups and minimizes interruptions to operations. After installation, they are responsible for acceptance, documentation and integration into ongoing maintenance operations.

Conclusion:
Thanks to their technical expertise, project management skills and holistic view of safety, cost and operational aspects, facility managers are the central and best specialists to professionally and efficiently implement the replacement of an outdated or dilapidated elevator. Elevator systems generally have a service life of 20 – 30 years, much shorter than a building is usually operated and managed. The facility manager is therefore the perfect project partner for you and your elevator systems to be refurbished. Do you want or need to modernize your elevator? Get in touch!