It is recognised that there may be in excess of 3 million lifts currently in service throughout Europe that were installed more than 20 years ago. Design and safety standards have changed throughout that period and therefore it is considered that older lifts do not have the same in-built safety features that a newly installed lift would have.

BS EN 81-80 is a European Harmonised standard that compares older lifts to new lifts in terms of safety design and by doing so, provides a reasonable risk profile of the unit. It is clearly recognised in the standard that the cost of improvements may be higher than can be reasonably afforded by the duty holder and that upgrading works may have to be held off until funding is available. To be absolutely clear however, this does not mean that an unsafe situation can remain due to the lack of funding.

An assessment of the lift is carried out using the “Safety Check-list for Existing Lifts”. The items that are identified as requiring to be fulfilled are transferred to a risk profile, known as an “Original Risk Profile” to provide an overview of the risks that have been identified.

A further review of the risk profile is carried out to determine if those risks should be modified. For example: the lift may not have lift shaft lighting installed. The original evaluation would conclude that this item had a Severity Category 1 and a Frequency Category D. Consequently the risk level in the original risk profile is high which means that risk reducing measures are necessary.

If however, the lift had lift shaft lighting that did not provide adequate lighting; this risk profile could be reduced as the hazard is clearly less than if no lighting was available.

The resulting assessment therefore is known as the “Modified Risk Profile”. Lift owners can then use this risk assessment as a useful decision making basis when considering mid to long-term investment in their assets.

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Change of use or the complete refurbishment (modernisation) of a building is often the ideal time to carry out a comprehensive audit of the existing facade access strategy and current condition of the equipment. The audit will highlight any non-compliances and functional discrepancies. At the same time a full review of the maintenance history should be carried out as well as reviewing risk assessments and method statements. An audit such as this could prolong the operational life of the equipment and also enable upgrades to be  scheduled as part of capital expenditure.

The post Is it time to audit your window cleaning equipment? appeared first on Lerch Bates Europe.

This half day seminar is packed with valuable information and insight as to how you can meet your obligations as property and facilities managers and ensure your lifts and escalators operate safely and reliably for the maximum availability.

There will be a strong focus on reducing operational costs and maximising efficiencies and this will include cost-effective maintenance contracts.

Topics covered include:

• Statutory Requirements – The Duty Holder’s responsibilities plus an update on the latest Codes & Standards
• Maintenance Contracts – We examine what is available and how to ensure you get best value
• A Quantum Leap in Efficiency – Identifying the problems and issues faced in managing lift maintenance and showing a cost effective, “state of the art” solution.

The speakers will be senior consultants from Lerch Bates who have an in-depth knowledge of industry practical solutions and many years experience. Facilities managers, building owners and property managers within both the private and public sector are invited to attend.

2013 seminar locations and dates:

• Edinburgh - 24 April 
• Halifax – 15 May
• Bristol - 22 May 
• London – 19 June
• Birmingham – 06 November

Please contact Libby Crew with any enquiries you may have concerning the event.

The post Free Lift and Escalator Seminars 2013 appeared first on Lerch Bates Europe.

1. Suitability and Integrity – your consultant uses non-proprietary, performance-based and generic specifications to acquire the most suitable product and system for your unique project, not necessarily what is currently promoted by the manufacturers. The consultant is independent of industry influences and sits solely in your corner – looking out for your best interests.

2. Profitability – your consultant maximises your lettable area by minimising equipment space-take. He uses appropriate control and drive technologies to minimise energy use. He designs with the equipment’s full life-cycle in mind and so can’t help but make your building more sustainable. He literally makes your building work – and then work better.

3. No Surprises! – there should be no “grey areas” between the equipment specified and other scopes of work. An experienced and disciplined approach enables the consultant to highlight deviations and omissions in the tenders. Your consultant pays for himself many times over by delivering the right designs within budget, eliminating variations and all their knock-on effects on programme and cost.

4. Risk Reduction – your consultant manages and reduces your risk. He ensures fire and disabled code compliance is fully addressed. He insists on proven and reliable products and services. You have assurance that all proposed equipment has been extensively monitored and verified in the field for years before consideration for your product.

5. Quality – your consultant firm is ISO-certified, PI insured, with CDM-qualified lift & code experts following industry best practices. All are professionals committed to excellence and results at every stage of involvement in your project. They are experienced specialists, using state-of-the-art calculation and simulation programmes combined with the latest drawing technology to get you the most efficient, smallest-footprint solution. You cannot afford anything less.

6. Programme – your consultant can provide project management of your project to ensure your programme objectives are met. He is fluent in all online and electronic design and project management software. He is a critical member of your project team who helps facilitate contractor compliance and performance.

7. Cost Control – your consultant will protect you from unfair cost variations and time extension claims during construction and elicit detailed costing information to control future repairs and maintenance.

8. Competitive Pricing – your consultant is familiar with pricing, deliveries and logistics all the way down the supply chain. His non-proprietary designs are seen as fair and inclusive and so elicit multiple, compliant and price-competitive tenders.

9. Results – your consultant works with facts and measurable performance criteria. All key parameters of the performance of your systems are measured against strict specified requirements. He will insist on superior equipment performance and reliability to ensure you get everything you paid for.

10. Sustainability and Continual Improvement – your consultant works as a key member of your design and management team. He brings enhanced value to each project. Resisting repetition of past conventional practices, he shows the way forward. Your consultant must make your designs and execution more contemporary and cost effective. And in today’s competitive, complex and high-cost construction environment he must lead to succeed.

The post Lift consultants – why use one? appeared first on Lerch Bates Europe.

Lifts are an inevitable feature of many affordable housing developments, used for the transportation of passengers and goods as well as for the provision of access and potentially evacuation for users with disabilities.   Given the diverse user group the   specification of suitable lifts is vital to the process of offering compliance, user satisfaction and on-going performance.  A “one size fits all” approach could either waste money or result in lifts being installed which are not fit for purpose. It is therefore important that the lift equipment being considered is correct for the application and environment. Current and continued changes to codes and standards impact directly on what equipment can and cannot be fitted particularly when considering access issues.

Reviewing the building constraints and objectives at an early stage assists in both the specification and procurement of the correct equipment, giving an investment savvy lift solution which will ensure wherever possible that total code compliance is met.  In addition, the provision of suitable ‘open’ maintenance for the end user without any OEM diagnostic constraints is a must. Property owners and facilities managers need to be able to maintain their lift equipment by whichever company they choose without the need for specialist equipment.

The post Maintaining and Modernising Lifts in the Affordable Housing Sector appeared first on Lerch Bates Europe.

The Association of University Engineers (AUE) was formed in 1970 by a small group of University Engineers who wanted to create a ‘networked union of like minded people’. It has representation from well over 100 universities throughout the UK, Northern Ireland and Eire.

For more information on the AUE Conference

The post AUE Conference 4-6 September 2013 appeared first on Lerch Bates Europe.

The CTBUH recognise that tall buildings in Europe often have a completely different set of physical, social, cultural and environmental issues to respond to than the rest of the world. Having presented papers at past CTBUH congresses, Lerch Bates Chairman, Adrian Godwin, is on the steering committee for the 2013 conference and will address these issues, share information and create a dialogue for advancing future projects.

For more information on the CTBUH International Conference

The post CTBUH International Conference 11-13 June 2013 appeared first on Lerch Bates Europe.

Lerch Bates are delighted to be a part of this event and will be giving a talk on “Vertical transportation – Understanding the responsibilities and opportunities of active management.”

HEI Dublin will be held at the Royal Dublin Society’s (RDS) Hall 6 (Clyde Room) in Ballsbridge in the middle of Dublin 4.

Follow the link for more information on the day’s agenda : http://www.ascentevents.co.uk/hei-dublin-agenda.php

The post HEI Conference, Dublin 09 May 2013 appeared first on Lerch Bates Europe.

CIBSE Lifts Group Chairman, Michael Bottomley, explains “The CIBSE Lifts Group is the place where people with an interest in the industry meet to share opinions. The Annual seminar provides an opportunity for all those with a specialist interest in the subject to hear from experts within the industry.”

Talks include:

Lift performance time – Dr Richard Peters, Peters Research Ltd

Lift Design: Still room for improvement – Adrian Shiner, Consulting Engineer

Vertical transportation in residential buildings – Michael Bottomley, Lerch Bates Ltd

BS7255: 2012 Safe working on lifts – Adam Scott, Grontmij & Dr Gina Barney, Gina Barney Associates

For more information and to register go to the Events page at www.cibseliftsgroup.org

The post CIBSE Lifts Group Annual Seminar 06 March 2013 appeared first on Lerch Bates Europe.

The National Housing Maintenance Forum is the leading source of good practice in maintenance, development and asset management in the afordable housing sector.

The post NHMF Conference & Exhibition 22-23 January 2013 appeared first on Lerch Bates Europe.