The Opportunity
adi VT was instructed by a Grade II listed theatre to undertake a survey of the existing lift equipment in the building. The survey was to determine the lift cycle costs. The theatre had a seating capacity of 1144 seats and was constructed in 1906. The lifting equipment comprised one passenger lift, one goods only lift, one stairlift and a three-section stage lift.
The Orona passenger lift was an 8-person, through-car MRL lift with evacuation capability. It was approximately 7 years of age and served 6 floors. Lifts of this type, according to CIBSE guidelines, would be expected to provide a 15-18 years life cycle, depending on usage, before a replacement program would be required.
The Stannah goods-only lift served 5 floors and was approximately 32 years of age and would be expected to provide a 25-year life cycle.
The Solution
The Garaventa stairlift was approximately 21 years old. Stairlifts of this type would be expected to provide a 10-15 year life cycle. It was reported to us that the stairlift had been unreliable and did not always operate when the operating buttons were utilised (delayed start). We noted that no planned maintenance was being undertaken on this equipment.
We surveyed the stage lift, which was a specialist one-off design. Lifts of this type are normally expected to provide a life cycle of approximately 25-30 years, however, this would depend on usage, comprehensive maintenance being undertaken and replacement components being available. We noted that only two sections were functioning and this was due to the rams/piston seals no longer being available in imperial measurements. We noted that no planned maintenance was being undertaken on this stage lift.
The expected life cycles, dependent on usage, of all of the existing lifting equipment, would be dependent upon comprehensive planned preventative maintenance being undertaken and the availability of components being readily available from the original manufacturers.
The Benefits
We provided the client with budget costs for works during years 1-5 which included suspension rope replacement, stairlift replacement and remedial works to the stage lift. We provided the client with budget costs for the following 25 years which covered the upgrade/replacement of all three lifts, with our recommendation that all the lifts should be placed on an all-embracing maintenance regime to endure short-term reliability until funds are compiled to undertake the required upgrade/replacement of the equipment.
Grade II listed theatre.
Stairlift
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