How do your ensure that a high-rise can cope with the needs of the people using it? 5 Considerations.

Elijah Otis’ invention of the over speed governor and safety brake in 1853 was a turning point that enabled elevators to be used in high-rise buildings. By the 1880s the first high-rise buildings were constructed in the USA and by the mid 20^th century high-rise buildings existed in many cities throughout the world. Cities with dense populations require increased numbers of high-rise buildings and each high-rise presents a number of challenges that need to be addressed prior to ground being broken and a project starting the build phase. There are 5 considerations listed below.

1. Planning

Involve a specialist lift company at the initial orientation phases of a high-rise construction project and ensure that calculations are made for the number of people who will need to be moved vertically throughout the day. These calculations are fundamental to the success of the completed building.

2. Traffic Flow Management

Managing the daily traffic flow of people up and down the building in what is referred to as vertical transportation is one of the biggest challenges facing any building contractor. 

3. Elevator System Design

What sort of elevator system should be used? This will depend on the traffic flow estimates for the building. How many elevators will be needed? Is it advisable to use a double deck system? Should shuttle elevators and escalators be deployed?

4. Energy Efficiency

Elevators account for between 2-10% of a building’s energy consumption. Depending on the traffic requirements of the building it may be advisable to establish a system of Destination Selection Control (DSC) that will both limit energy consumption and transport people in the most efficient way by grouping destinations. In recent years innovations such as solar powered elevators have increased the energy efficiency options available in some cases.

5. Building Maintenance Units

How will the building be maintained on an ongoing basis? The design and creation of Building Maintenance Units (BMU) is specialist work and needs to be addressed during the initial stages of a building project.

Dunbar & Boardman has extensive experience of high-rise projects as you can see by clicking here

We worked on the iconic ‘Burj al Arab’ and have successfully designed and installed Building Maintenance Units and Destination Control systems. We have also provided Maintenance Management Services for many buildings.

Do you have a new high-rise project that you’d like to discuss with us? Please give us a call on T +44 (0)20 7739 5093 or send us an email via peterboardman@dunbarboardman.com to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.

April Update

We can report that an improved economic activity has translated into greater determination from our clients to employ more people increasing office density per square metre. In turn this applies pressure to their lift systems which in leads to investment.  We are employing destination control systems to maximise performance as all manufacturers and suppliers can now deliver these systems, either directly from their factories or 3rd party suppliers.

Hotel groups are looking to improve their guest experience and are pressing on with refurbishments. All quite marvellous!

On the employment front we are welcoming Richard Bee into the Newcastle office to work alongside Phil Mantey. We are also looking at expanding our London team.

NEW – EN 81 20 + 50

Advisors/Specialists are promoting investing in lifts prior to what may be claimed to be onerous changes to the ‘lift standards’.

The facts are:

1. Draft documents have been in circulation for consultation for some time, and publication date for the new Standards is currently envisaged to be June/July 2014;

2. The Standards will not be retrospective and the existing Standards will remain valid for new lifts up until June 2017;

3. The Standards will have a final implementation date, currently envisaged to be June 2017.

In short don’t panic!

January Update

Last year saw a number of retirements and a few additions to the business; Colin Saunders took us by surprise in late November announcing his imminent retirement, but as he was working only 3 days a week and mainly dealing with Maintenance issues, his work load has been easily re-allocated. We wish him well!

Moving forward we will need another London based engineer! Anyone interested?

Gary Butler joined us from a London based contractor where he was a service director – we are looking forward to his contribution moving forward. Tim Piggott has transferred to our Bishop’s Stortford office balancing our resource in the South East strengthening the M11 corridor.

Vijith is visiting Mumbai generally broadening our contact base and we are looking forward to further meetings in Dubai and Doha later in the month/February.

The workload continues to improve in all areas, both geographically and business sectors so let’s hope the World can generally behave itself and we can all move forward to improve our lives without interference from geopolitical nonsense!

We look forward to a successful and prosperous 2014!

Merry Christmas from all at Dunbar and Boardman!

Lifts Are Safe!

A short explanation on why lifts are safe! 

October Updates

We approach the winter quarter by confirming the appointment of Adam Divall who has joined our London team. Adam previously worked at TKE and we look forward to Adam's contribution to the team effort.

There seems to be a positive stream of new work confirming a welcome pick-up in the market's activity both locally and Internationally - long may that continue.

Tom Bates will retire in December - Tom has been with D+B for 13 years - having previously working for Express and Kone. We thank Tom for his efforts and wish him well for his retirement!
 

We held our September conference in Warrington and enjoyed contributions from Stuart Rose of FHPess discussing Dilapidations and related issues, David Wright discussing MF1 contracts and implications in relation its application and finally thanks to Gareth Bendlow and Simon Thompson from HSBIL for their insights relating to Statutory Inspections and processes.

Onwards and upwards!