The Importance of Proper Maintenance to Prevent Hoist Rope Failures

Dec 12

By KJA Vancouver

Technical Safety BC released an incident report (Reference Number: II-1570402-2023 (#36471)) that highlights the importance of regular and comprehensive maintenance practices. As described in the report, an elevator in New Westminster experienced a catastrophic failure of the hoist ropes. The elevator’s safety devices succeeded in stopping the falling elevator, however a single passenger was present in the cab and sustained minor injuries. The failure was determined to be undetected rouging of the hoist ropes, most likely due to neglecting to inspect the car top during routine maintenance.

Rouging typically occurs when a hoist rope’s interior core dries and begins to deteriorate, allowing for gradual wear of the surrounding steel wires through abrasion to produce small metal particles. These particles make their way to the outer surface of the hoist rope and oxidize, resulting in the tell-tale presence of a rusty-coloured dust on the rope and surrounding area. Rouging is typically a result of insufficient lubrication of the hoist ropes and is distinct from rust (i.e., corrosion), which results from oxidation of a metal surface due to moisture exposure. Maintaining proper lubrication and performing routine inspections of the hoist ropes are two crucial steps in preventing and identifying rouging.

This incident demonstrates the importance of having maintenance strategies in place, including getting assistance from a vertical transportation consultant to review the equipment and maintenance standards from a third-party expert point of view. An in-depth maintenance inspection will focus on identifying existing risks and other deficiencies before they become hazards or reliability concerns. Please contact us to learn more about how we can support your building’s needs. Regular 3rd party assessments, combined with a robust preventive maintenance program, will help to extend the lifespan of the elevator, maximize the reliability and best ensure the safety of users.