The Importance of Communication During Elevator Downtime
When an elevator stops working, it results in dissatisfaction and frustration among building occupants. Whether it’s an office, hotel, or apartment building, elevator downtime disrupts everyone’s routines. While the priority of building owners and facility supervisors is usually to get the elevator repaired quickly, they often neglect communication. Clear communication can help keep people informed and calm, whereas poor communication can result in confusion and complaints.
Why Communication is Important
During elevator downtime, the affected people want to know why the elevator isn’t functioning properly and when it will be fixed. When these questions aren’t answered, people feel anxious and frustrated. In commercial properties, out-of-service elevators can disrupt daily business and slow down deliveries. In residential areas, it can affect accessibility for people who rely on elevators, like those with mobility issues. Clear communication helps maintain clarity and keep the situation under control. Even a small update that acknowledges the problem can help reassure people and build long-term trust.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake that many building owners and property managers make during elevator downtime is remaining silent. Waiting to say anything until the repairs are completed causes confusion among elevator users and leads to complaints. Another common error is sharing overly technical or unclear details. When people can’t understand the updates, they feel frustrated. This is why it’s important to provide regular, clear updates about elevator downtime so users remain informed every step of the way.
How to Communicate Effectively
For effective elevator downtime communication, you must provide timely, clear and consistent updates, notifying everyone whenever an elevator is out of service. Explain the details in simple terms, mention what steps are being taken and how long it would take for the repairs to be completed. When repairs are in progress, send updates at regular intervals, even if the update only includes information like work is still in progress. Doing this can help prevent frustration and show attentiveness.
You can also provide some guidance, for example, if there is another functional elevator nearby, you can inform people that they can use the other elevator to go from one floor to another. This can help reduce inconvenience, especially for those with mobility issues or those who want to transport big items. Once the repairs are done, send a final message about the elevator being back in service and thank everyone for their patience.
Building a Communication Plan
Preparing for a situation in advance can make it easier to handle the situation when it actually happens. The best time to think about how you will communicate is before elevator downtime. A clear plan should be created in advance with details like who will send the notification, which channels will be used for providing this information and how frequently the updates will be provided. Creating such a plan can help avoid confusion during elevator downtime.
Connect with General Elevator Solutions today for commercial elevator service in Manatee County. We deliver quick, dependable repairs to keep your building running safely and smoothly.
