When people think about lifts, they tend to picture the lift car moving smoothly between floors. It feels like the main event. But in reality, the part of the lift that works the hardest isn’t the motor or the cables, it’s the doors. In fact, around 80% of lift breakdowns are related to door systems. It’s a surprising statistic, but once you understand how lift doors operate and how often they’re used, it starts to make sense.

The Hardest Working Part of the Lift

Every lift journey involves at least two door cycles, opening and closing at the start and end of the trip. In a busy residential or commercial building, that can mean hundreds, sometimes thousands, of cycles every single day.

Now consider what those doors deal with:

• People holding them open.
• Trolleys, prams, and furniture passing through.
• Dust, debris, and everyday wear.
• Accidental knocks and impacts.

Unlike many other parts of a lift system, doors are constantly interacting with people and the environment. They’re not just mechanical, they’re exposed. Over time, that combination leads to wear, misalignment, and faults.

What Actually Goes Wrong?

Lift doors are made up of several moving components working together in tight tolerances. When something is slightly off, the system notices.

Common issues include:

• Doors not closing properly due to obstruction or sensor faults.
• Rollers and tracks wearing down, causing rough or noisy movement.
• Door operators losing adjustment over time.
• Safety edges or light curtains being triggered unexpectedly.

Modern lifts are designed to prioritise safety above all else. So, when a door doesn’t behave exactly as expected, the lift will often take itself out of service as a precaution. From a user’s perspective, it might feel like a sudden breakdown. In reality, the lift is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do, preventing a potential safety issue.

Why It Matters for Buildings

Door-related faults don’t just affect the lift, they affect the entire building experience. For residents, it can mean delays and frustration or worse, being stuck waiting during busy periods. For building managers and committees, it often leads to increased callouts, higher maintenance costs, and more complaints.

In some cases, repeated door issues can also shorten the lifespan of components if they’re not addressed early. That’s why understanding the role of doors is so important. It shifts the focus from reacting to breakdowns to preventing them in the first place.

The Role of Regular Maintenance

Because lift doors are used so frequently, they require consistent attention.

Regular maintenance helps to:

• Keep components aligned and properly adjusted.
• Identify worn parts before they fail.
• Ensure sensors and safety systems are functioning correctly.
• Maintain smooth and reliable operation over time.

It’s not just about fixing problems when they occur. It’s about reducing the likelihood of them happening at all. A well-maintained door system is often the difference between a lift that feels dependable and one that becomes a regular source of frustration.

Simple Things That Make a Difference

While maintenance is essential, day-to-day behaviour also plays a role in keeping lift doors operating reliably.

A few small habits can go a long way:

• Avoid forcing doors open or closed.
• Refrain from holding doors for extended periods.
• Take care when moving large items through lift entrances.
• Report unusual noises or delays early.

These might seem minor, but across hundreds of daily uses, they add up.

A Small Part with a Big Impact

Lift doors might not get much attention when everything is working well. They open, they close, and people move on with their day. But behind the scenes, they’re doing the bulk of the work. Understanding this helps explain why most lift issues start at the doors, and why proactive maintenance is so important for keeping buildings running smoothly.

For strata communities, it’s a simple insight that can lead to better outcomes, fewer disruptions, and a more reliable experience for everyone who uses the lift. With the right maintenance approach and a clear understanding of how doors impact performance, buildings can stay ahead of common issues rather than reacting to them.

This is an area where experienced providers such as Schindler Lifts Australia focus heavily, helping buildings maintain consistent, dependable lift operation through proactive care and ongoing attention to the components that matter most.

Article Contributed by Robert Dean, Marketing & Communications Manager, Schindler Lifts.

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