Anyone who’s
had to climb several flights of stairs after a lift malfunction will recognise
the importance that these machines play in our lives. Lifts are a vital tool
for transporting both people and goods between floors in a quick, easy and
efficient way, and they can also significantly improve mobility for the elderly
or disabled.
A faulty or
out of service lift can cause a lot more disruption than you might think, so
professional lift companies are essential for the installation, repair and
maintenance of any lifts in a building. They also offer a wider range of
services, from custom design to the installation of eco-friendly lifts for your
office or business. Lifts are an essential component for many buildings, so
naturally you’ll want to ensure that they’re running at optimum efficiency at
all times.
A professional company offers many services,
from essential repairs to modernisations that help you to optimise your lift’s
performance. If you’ve been thinking it’s time to hire a professional lift company
as part of your building maintenance, read on for our handy guide to the many
services on offer.
Lift maintenance
All building
owners and managers have certain responsibilities and a duty of care that they
need to adhere to, and this includes ensuring that any lifts are safe to use at
all times. Lift maintenance is essential for the safety of anyone using the
lift and it can help to extend the longevity of the machinery.
In some
cases, owners have a legal obligation to have their lift regularly maintained,
especially if the lift is installed in domestic premises. In this case, two
pieces of legislation come into play; PUWER (The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) and LOLER
(The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations). Put simply, these
legislations decree a lift as a piece of work equipment, so owners have a
responsibility to ensure that they’re safe to use for all employees, residents
and members of the public.
The frequency of lift maintenance will depend on the
type of lift, amount of use and the building it’s serving, but as a general
rule you should arrange for lift maintenance at least once every 12 months.
During a maintenance visit, a trained engineer will check all the safety
features of a lift and clean and lubricate the essential components to ensure
the smooth running of the lift. An engineer can also identify and arrange for
any necessary repairs or replacement parts to be put in place.
Repairs
There are
many issues that can cause your lift to breakdown, but it’s important to seek
out professional lift repair as soon as possible, both for the safety of those
in the building and to ensure you don’t waste valuable time and money from lost
efficiency. Lift repairs can cover anything from emergency breakdown services
to replacing worn out parts or electrical systems.
Most
professional life companies offer 24/7 emergency repair services, 365 days a
year, so you can be confident that you’ll get the essential repairs you need at
any time. Trained staff will also conduct a thorough risk assessment before any
repair work goes ahead, so you can be sure that you’re in safe hands.
Lift installation
Lift
installations can make the world of difference to both domestic and commercial
properties, whether you’re replacing an old, inefficient lift or installing a
new one for the first time. Lifts improve accessibility and mobility, as well
as maximising productivity and efficiency by allowing employees and goods to be
transported swiftly between floors.
It’s a legal
requirement to install a lift in most commercial buildings with more than two
floors, so it’s important to check the building regulation rules if you’re
constructing a new build or if your workplace is currently missing a lift. Lift
installation is also vital for accessibility and you may need to install one
under rules laid out in The Equality Act 2010.
A
professional lift company can install lifts in most domestic, commercial or
industrial buildings and they’ll be able to advise you on the best model. There
are five basic steps to installing a lift, starting with a trained technician
assessing the area where you would like the lift installed. A suitable site
needs enough space for the technician to work safely and the floors need to be
strong enough to support the lift system when loaded. Once a suitable place has
been found, columns and guide columns will be bolted in place and then outlines
will be drawn to ensure the lift carriage is placed correctly.
Lift chains
are then connected to the wheelblocks and a drive base will be fitted on top of
the columns if a mechanical lift is being installed. Gates and enclosures are
then fitted to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent items from slipping
and causing injury. Finally, the technician will wire all the electrical
components which make the lift go up and down and ensure that the lift is
operating safely and efficiently.
Modernisation
Maintenance
and repairs are two essential services offered by lift companies, but they also
have the skills and equipment to modernise your lift systems. This can
drastically improve the efficiency and safety of your lifts, as well as their
reliability. You may not have noticed any specific issues or breakages with
your lift system, but a refresh and replacement of parts can bring many
benefits. If your lift is several years old then chances are that technology
has improved and there will be more efficient, modern parts available to inject
new life into your lift unit.
Keeping your
lift up to date can reduce the chances of future breakdowns and improve the
general aesthetics of your lift both inside and out. Lift modernisation can
range from replacing lift doors to a complete overall of up to 95% of a lift in
its entirety, including new wiring and modern control systems.
Eco
lifts
If you’re in
need of a new lift, then many lift companies are able to install eco-friendly
models, which are better at conserving energy and have a less harmful impact on
the environment. Eco lifts are a green alternative to traditional electrically
powered lifts and they're highly efficient too. This type of lift is also
available in a machine room-less model (MRL), which lowers construction costs
and makes maximum use of a building’s space.
Eco lifts
are fitted with a sophisticated back-up system, which generates electricity if
the lift motor breaks and feeds the power back into the electricity grid. They
use LED lights, which reduces energy consumption by up to 80% and also last ten
times longer compared to traditional halogen bulbs. These lifts also power down
when not in use so that only key elements stay running - saving money and power
over time.
Disabled access lifts
Accessibility
is vital and this applies to both domestic and commercial buildings. It’s
important to ensure that any workplaces or homes are suitable for those with
disabilities or other mobility issues and installing disabled access lifts is
one place to start. A lift company will be able to install both commercial
disabled access lifts for offices or shops, as well as domestic stairlifts for
the home.
Here at ADL
Lifts, we’re proud to offer tailor-made disability solutions for your home or
workplace, which suit customer’s needs and also comply with any relevant
legislation. We offer many different types of disabled access lift, including
inclined platform lifts, vertical platform lifts, stairlifts (straight and
curved) and overhead hoists.
ADL Lift Services - Your Leading Lift Company
in Scotland
If you’re
looking for a professional lift company with a tailor made service to suit your
needs, get in touch with the expert team at ADL Lift Services. With over 100
years’ experience, we’re proud to offer the highest quality services, equipment
and parts to keep your lifts running at their best.
We supply, install and maintain lifts all over
the UK and can also offer eco lifts, disabled access lifts and bespoke lift
design to suit your requirements. For more information about any of our
services, give us a call today or
visit our website.
