Author's note: This occurred to me after watching one of those episodes where they just seem to flick the elevator on and off constantly. It got me wondering... surely they'd have issues with the elevators?
This story goes out to my dear friend Trina109... I hope it makes you smile. F.
Disclaimer: All recognisable characters etc. are property of Belisarius Productions. I'm not making any money off my use of them, etc etc.
One of the things he hated most about his job was the paperwork, Vance decided. The sheer quantity of it was almost overwhelming, and it seemed to increase every day. He surveyed the fresh piles that had been placed on his desk by his secretary and sighed. The urgent things had been dealt with, at least. There was a stack of folders that had been flagged by his secretary as important. Reaching out, he took the first file off the pile and opened it.
It was a report from the company responsible for repairing the building's elevators. He glanced over it quickly, intending to merely sign it and get it off his desk. But then something caught his eye, and he settled back to read the report in full.
To whom it may concern
As requested by the NCIS maintenance department, we have conducted an investigation into the possible cause of the persistent brake and motor failure issues being experienced with the building's elevators.
The investigation was sparked as it has been necessary to replace both brakes and motors on both of the building's main elevators three times in the previous 6 months (see attached invoices).
The three main causes of such failures are improper maintenance, mechanical defect and operator error.
Both elevators had been recently serviced by the NCIS maintenance department; all maintenance has been done at the required intervals, and checks by this company revealed no maintenance faults.
As both the brake units and the elevator motors have been replaced multiple times, a mechanical defect is unlikely but not impossible. Inspection by our technician revealed no apparent defects at this time.
Therefore, the most likely cause of the persistent failure issues is operator error. It is possible to duplicate the failure of both components by continuously activating and deactivating the emergency stop switch.
We have installed new heavy duty motors and braking units to both of the elevators in question, and suggest familiarising all employees with the procedures for correct elevator operation.
Vance snorted to himself as he came to the end of the report. Still holding the folder in his hand, he reached out and pressed the button on the intercom.
"Get me Agent Gibbs..."