alarm the operating personnel can introduce corresponding measures in good time for example order spare parts so that a case of repair is prevented and or in the event of a necessary intervention in the elevator system 10 in the form of maintenance and or repair operations the duration of the shutdown of the elevator system 10 necessary therefor is limited to a minimum because for example all required spare parts are already on site and available furthermore it is also possible on the basis of such a pre alarm to plan repairs and or maintenance measures in such a manner that where possible these operations are carried out at times in which the elevator system 10 is not used or is used little in addition to signalling a pre alarm of this type in the spatial vicinity of the elevator control device 16 by means of a warning lamp 44 or the like or alternatively to such signalling it is also possible that the pre alarm is transmitted in the form of an electronic message to a mobile telephone 52 or the like of a service technician in the following this is termed an external signalling of the pre alarm in this case the elevator control device 16 generates an alarm signal 48 in accordance with the control program 36 which alarm signal is transmitted u2014 usually in a wireless.