Top tips to ensure a successful bespoke lift project.

Bespoke Lifts

Top five tips to ensure a successful bespoke lift project.

This article contains five tips for bespoke lift projects. The word bespoke can be viewed as slow and costly, but it all depends on who you choose as your supplier. Such projects require a lot of expertise in some cases.

It is imperative that you select a company that can handle the entire process and has all the necessary accreditations. If you are working on an existing or Heritage Building, you may need a bespoke lift with low headroom and a pit. In some cases, you will need a full BEIS derogation.

You may simply be seeking more than just a grey metal box for your new construction project. In either case, here are some details you are likely to need when you require a bespoke lift or are considering one.

Our Tips for A successfully Bespoke Lift

  • Ensure the Lift company hold Schedule 18 of the Lift Directive – This is a must!
  • Ask to see proven past solutions – know they can deliver
  • What type of building is the lift for domestic or commercial?
  • Key Items the Lift Company will need to know about the lift you require
  • Any additional lift regulations you may need to meet

Let’s look at why these are important!

  1. Ensure the Lift company hold Schedule 18 of the Lift Directive

Ensure that the Lift Company holds Schedule 18 of the Lift Directive Few lift suppliers have the experience and expertise to deliver a truly bespoke installation, and even fewer have the accreditations necessary to certify it as reliable and compliant with relevant standards.

Schedule 18 means they are accredited for both the design and installation of custom bespoke lifts.

It is often costly, time-consuming, and painful to use companies that lack this accreditation. They often require substantial additional third parties and charge high markups to pass on costs. Lack of experience is another issue.

  1. Ask For Proven Past Solutions

Request case studies for similar projects they have completed so you know the company can meet your requirements, see the timelines and how they overcame challenges that are out of the ordinary.

Using a company who has already met a goal or overcome a challenge will ensure that your project is not held up and you know your project is in capable hands.

This is especially important when it comes to existing historic and listed properties that have building restrictions and usually require a bespoke lift.

  1. What Type of Building is the lift for

When establishing a building and its use, whether it is for private or public use, and whether there is a lift shaft or not, many factors must be considered. Contact a lift company with this information in mind, as there are many types of lifts available. Make sure the lift specified fits the function and form of the building you need. Additionally, this will ensure you are compliant with all accreditation requirements, as you may even require a firefighter lift or evacuation lift. You can expect a reputable lift company to request drawings or to conduct an on-site survey to ensure the equipment is appropriate, including a traffic analysis. If all you need is a simple incline or step lift, there is no sense installing a Passenger Lift.

  1. Key Items to Think About When Requesting a Bespoke Lift

The below are things to think about and inform an expert about when planning a lift design, as these will impact the type of lift, equipment, and design. Allowing the lift company to provide you with information so you can make informed decisions.

  • The space available
  • The frequency the lift will be used by its passengers
  • Floors or meters the lift must travel
  • The weight and number of people you require to be transported
  • If the lift will be indoors or external to the building
  • Cosmetic look and feel of the lift car and landing doors
  1. Any Additional Accreditations Your Lift May Require

Here is a list of some of the passenger lift accreditations that must be achieved or may be required. You will meet YOUR needs if you partner with a trusted lift company. By providing the information in point 4 of the post, a lift expert can determine your requirements. The expert can then advise you accordingly.

  • New passenger and goods lift in existing buildings: BS EN81-21
  • Remote alarm on passenger and goods passenger lifts: BS EN81-28
  • Accessibility to lifts for persons including persons with disability: BS EN81-70
  • Vandal resistant lifts: BS EN81-71
  • Firefighting lifts: BS EN81-72
  • Behaviour of lifts in the event of a fire: BS EN81-73
  • Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts: BS EN81-80
Seek Consultation

As the regulations are constantly changing, it is highly advised that you seek consultation. Many new projects, as well as existing buildings, turn to iKONIC Lifts after unsuccessful attempts. The result has been delayed in approval of building plans, redesigns of buildings, and lifts failing tests.

You need to select a lift partner that has the expertise and accreditations necessary for a smooth transition. Seek advice at an early stage!

Ask the Lift Experts – Who are accredited to Schedule 18 of the Lift Directive

For any further information on Passenger lifts or Bespoke Lifts, please don’t hesitate to contact team iKONIC or make a free online enquiry. We offer free onsite surveys and no obligation quotations. That does NOT have any hidden costs!

Bespoke Lifts

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Full BEIS Derogration Progress Required