Why Disinfecting Elevators is Essential During COVID-19

Disinfecting Elevators During COVID-19

The quandary of building owners and managers during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is how to keep their elevators running safely while adhering to state orders to maintain ‘social distance’ within the typically tight confines of an elevator cabin. Elevator passengers, also, ponder how to safely ride the vertical transportation devices, shoulder-to-shoulder with neighbors, and work colleagues.

Due to the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, disinfecting elevators, along with passengers wearing facial masks, are not only essential but also the logical solution for building owners, property managers, and elevator passengers to move forward and upward.

Helpful in resolving the COVID-19 quandary, is having elevator technicians who understand elevators ‘from the top, down,’ including the ceiling, wall panels, rails, doors, and elevator buttons. Experienced technicians are not just disinfecting elevators correctly but also providing building owners and property managers peace of mind.

This knowledge and understanding of disinfecting elevators entail:

• The shutting down of elevators while they are cleaned, disinfected, and while the lift is drying to avoid foot traffic and new contamination. Keeping the elevator door open with a fan on while cleaning with strong chemical disinfectants allows for adequate ventilation as well.
• The knowledge and understanding of cleaning guidelines, as established by the elevator manufacturer, eliminating the possibility of damaging surfaces.
• The knowledge that all disinfectants are not standardized. It is vital to respect the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules when selecting the disinfectant most effective in killing viruses, and following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on best practices to disinfect and sanitize surfaces effectively.
• Vacuuming or steam-cleaning carpeted floors, even if the carpet surface appears to be clean, with an EPA-registered cleaning solution in the steam cleaner to get down deep into the carpet fibers, and the disinfecting of uncarpeted flooring with a non-abrasive, non-corrosive solution.
• Knowing not to spray the disinfectant solution directly onto select surfaces in an elevator as there may be potential for electrical damage.

The professionals at Champion Elevator can offer a variety of elevator maintenance plans, including proper cleaning instructions for disinfecting and maintaining the health of your elevators. Contact us today!