5 TOP TIPS FOR A PASSENGER LIFT
5 Top Tips for a passenger lift that could save you a lot of time and money. Once you have established you require a passenger lift, there are several things that are important to understand when wishing to install a passenger lift into your building.
Our Tips When Considering a Passenger Lift:
- The space you have available, and the type of building the lift is to be installed into.
- The function of the building the lift is being installed into
- How many floors the lift will serve, and vertical travel required
- Look and functionality of the Lift
- Preparing for installation
Space and the Building Type the passenger lift will be installed into
Space availability is a key factor and there are options to install lifts internally and externally to a building. External lifts can be a good option when there are space limitations.
If a pre-existing lift shaft exists and can be utilised, we would recommend a full plumb line site survey to establish full dimensions and the lift size that is required, some lift companies can adapt lift sizes, rather than you are having or not being able to adapt the building.
Existing buildings and Grade Listed buildings hold even more challenges and may require low headroom and pits, which would fall under BS EN81-21 requiring the need for a lift company with Schedule 18 Lift Regulations who can safely design a lift in accordance with that statutory legislation. Always ask for proven past solutions! To avoid delays or not meeting regulations.
The function of the Building the passenger lift will be installed into
Obtaining a Traffic Analysis for commercial buildings is recommended this will help establish the correct number of lifts required for the building and their functionality, requirements.
By conducting traffic analysis and establishing the building function could ultimately change from the initial perception to what the actual requirement of your lift is. Providing this information to the company that will be commissioning the lifts is quite important to help establish the relevant standards required and seeking lift consultation at the design phase for new builds, is a good idea.
For instance, a hotel passenger lift would be different from high-rise social housing lifts because hotel lifts do not necessarily fall under the same standards and are generally more cosmetically pleasing regarding lift car finishes. Rather than focusing on anti-vandal features as seen in social housing with standard finishes. However, both may require being a firefighter or evacuation lift.
Number of Floors and Vertical Travel
Establishing the floors and how many the lift must serve may affect the speed required and the entrances to the lift. As for the vertical travel as mentioned the building functionality will help determine what the statuary regulations the lift will need to adhere to.
One example of the importance of this is a lift in a commercial building traveling more than 18 meters would need to be a firefighter lift also.
- Preparing for the Installation of the Passenger Lift
Understanding the fundamental basics of how your lift will be installed such as all the building elements is crucial to a successful installation. Such as Plumb line survey, that the shaft can withstand the forces, (such as a load-bearing wall), appropriate headroom, and pit application. Often something that is overlooked is where the control panel for the lift will be installed. This should be located as close as possible to the lift with suitable electrics. Getting advice on this at the start is highly recommended as it can be incorporated into the building drawings.
Look and functionality of The Lift
Letting the lift company know the lift finishes prior to any manufacturing would be very beneficial for your lift project, as the fit and finishes can be completed at the manufacturing phase. Rather than a later date, (such as powder coating of doors to bespoke colours or finishes). Deciding on the finishes prior to manufacture will help prevent delays on final handovers and allow time to source the bespoke finishes, resulting in cost and time savings.
Commissioning A Passenger Lift Successfully
Keeping this in mind when commissioning a passenger lift will help you avoid costly delays or redesigns of your building, and ensure you have the fit, form, and function of the lift for your development the first time. With so many changes regarding regulations and to abide by, the importance of seeking consultation is highly advised. iKONIC lifts see so many projects that call on our experience and know-how after failed attempts for both new builds and existing buildings. Which has resulted in building approvals not being signed off, long delays, redesigns of buildings, and lifts not passing testing.
When selecting a lift partner ensure they are the correct company with the knowledge and accreditations you require for a smooth transition. Seek advice at an early stage!
Don’t be fooled by saving money on the lift materials and the installation, to be tied into a long service contract. Some of the components we come across are not the best quality and these will fail often resulting in more frequent call-outs and higher costs in the long term.
