How do you stay safe on escalators? – 12 Do's and Don’ts

Riding on an escalator should be safe and uneventful but unfortunately there are a significant number of avoidable accidents on escalators each year. Most of these tend to be at busy train stations or airports. Someone who stepped onto a busy road without following the Green Cross Code would be thought of as foolhardy by most people and would be risking their life. There are similar best practice tips for escalators that we have listed below to ensure that your journeys on escalators are happily uneventful. Twelve Dos and Don’ts to ensure that you stay safe on escalators.

Don’t’s

1. If you have heavy luggage and particularly if you have more than one piece of luggage do not attempt to get on an escalator – this particularly applies to children’s prams – It’s always best to try and find a lift instead.

2. Do not run onto an escalator going in the opposite direction. You might think you are making a funny clip for You Tube but it could end up with you being hospitalised. We have seen it happen. 

3. Do not attempt to climb onto the handrail or suspend yourself only on the handrails with feet above the steps.  

4. If walking up busy escalators with briefcases or bags for work do not rely on someone catching you if you were to slip or fall backwards.  Keep one hand free for the handrail.

5. Do not stand too close to the sides of an escalator or too close to the edge of the step.

6. Don’t block the ‘walking’ side of the escalator on busy escalators.

Do’s 

  

     7. Take hold of the handrail as soon as you step onto the moving step. Stand away from the sides of the escalator and edges of the steps.

    8. Hold children firmly with one hand – they should hold onto the handrail with their other hand.

     9. Carry any bags / small packages in one hand allowing you to hold onto the handrail with the other.

     10. Take extra care if wearing high heels, loose clothing or open-toed footwear. Keep clear of the sides of the escalator and away from the edges of the steps. 

     11. Do use the ‘walking’ side of the escalator on busy escalators if you want but remember to hold the handrail.  

     12. Consider what would happen if the escalator were to stop abruptly - would you be able to remain upright? 

Dunbar and Boardman is the lift, escalator and access equipment consultancy. Do you have a current or planned project that includes escalators? We would be happy to discuss any such requirements and how we may be able to assist. 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.

What should you consider when choosing a car lift? 5 Pointers

Just a few short years ago the general perception of residential car lifts were that they were fantastic devices owned by fictional characters such as Batman and James Bond. In reality both residential and commercial vehicle lifts have been with us for quite some time. Infamously Mitt Romney changed all that in 2012 and threw a spotlight on vehicle lifts when during the American presidential election of 2012 it emerged that he had ordered a car lift for his southern California home.  Car lifts are a smart solution for businesses or individuals that need vertical transportation for vehicles. Do you know what should you consider when choosing a car lift? We have listed 5 pointers below.

1. Dimensions and Weight of Vehicles

It seems obvious but it is important to know the exact dimensions and weight of the vehicles being transported. Any lift chosen will need to have the appropriate load capacity.

2. Dimensions of Lift Car

Similarly the exact dimensions of the lift car will need checked and double –checked: lifting capacity, height and width. Will this lift fit within the property? Does it meet the compulsory legislative requirements of The Lifts Directive, designed in accordance with the EN81/1or EN81/2 standards? Can the vehicle car door be opened?

3. What features are needed for the car lift?

There are a lot of permutations for your car lift; Which power system and door arrangement for should you choose? Do you need all or some of the following: traffic lights at entrance levels, Remote 'key-fob' controls, 'Strip' switch controls to side walls? An oil heater for cold morning starts, Oil cooler allowing increased use, Faster speeds for long travel heights, ventilation for the car and shaft?

However, not all car lifts need to be Hydraulically operated.

4. Reputation of Supplier

There are lots of car lift manufacturers in the marketplace with a wide variety of prices. You will need to do your due diligence before selecting a supplier and without specialist knowledge it can be difficult to properly assess the merits of one supplier against another.  

5. Warranty & Maintenance

What is the full extent of the warranty being provided by the manufacturer? How will the car lift be maintained? These are both essential questions to be answered prior to committing to a car lift solution. You must also consider how often the car lift should be assessed for wear and tear. It is essential that all owners area aware that 6 monthly LOLER inspections being a mandatory requirement.

Dunbar and Boardman is the lift, escalator and access equipment consultancy. We have extensive experience of projects including car lifts and can help you make the right choice. For one car lift project we made the vertical parting door system automatic and avoided the need for constant pressure controls. This improved the use of the lift. One current project requires delivery lorries and refuse trucks to be taken from the street to an underground loading bay.

Do you have a current or planned project that includes car lifts? We would be happy to discuss any such requirements and how we may be able to assist. 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.

Spotlight on: Ireland

(Central Bank of Ireland, Dublin)

Dunbar & Boardman first opened our Irish chapter in the 1990s. Our first project was to advise on the BUPA Hospital that became Blackrock Clinic. This resulted in a longstanding relationship over 20 years during which we replaced lift installations throughout and completed extensive renovation and extension works. We also carried out an escalator replacement at St. Stephens Green shopping centre during the 1990s. Initially we were based in small offices in Dublin but we are now well established at the Capel Building after moving there in 2001 We are proud of the working relationships we have established with Primark/Pennys, Dundrum Shopping Centre, the Health and Safety Authority, Dublin City Council, Irish Rail, St James Hospital, Jones Lang LaSalle, Cadbury and the DAA to name but a few. 

Listed below are a few of the projects that we have completed in Ireland:

   

   * Chartered Land - Preparation of tender & specification including site management for installation of a new passenger lift in one of the units in Dundrum Town Centre. Tendering of the vertical transportation maintenance contract for the complete Dundrum TC complex & ongoing technical support.

·   * Douglas Newman Good Commercial - Tendering & site management for modernisation of two passenger lifts in the City Square SC, Waterford. 

* University of Ulster – preparation of maintenance tender & specification including participation in evaluation process. 

   

     * Belfast City Council - Tender & site management for complete replacement of passenger lift in City Hall, Belfast

·    * Dublin Airport Authority – Lift Traction System Re-Engineering of two lifts in T2 car-park & technical specification to install two additional passenger lifts. 

    * Brown Thomas group - Preparation of tender & specification with site management for complete replacement of staff passenger lift & modernisation of the goods/passenger lift in their Grafton Street store.

     * St James Hospital, Dublin 8 - Tender & site management for complete replacement of eight bed/passenger lifts as part of a capital expenditure programme over a number of years.

Do you have a current or planned project in Ireland? We would be happy to discuss any such requirements and how we may be able to assist. Our local team comprises of Dave Neil, Simon Lancaster and Ruth Kyne. Please contact us via  Vance Cunningham to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Spotlight On: Liverpool

Over the last 30 years Dunbar and Boardman has delivered many projects throughout the world and lots of those have been in the UK.  D & B’s first Liverpool–based project was in the 1980s.  We initially worked with HH + J Robinson (now CBRE) mainly on buildings owned by Equity and Law (now Axa). We also reported and advised on St Johns Tower, again for HH + J Robinson on behalf of the owners Land Securities. We then worked extensively with local agencies such as Edmund Kirby (now Matthews and Goodman) on India Building amongst other sites.

The recent Liverpool Conference was in conjunction with the International Festival of Business successfully organised by UK property forums & Matt Battle. The conference clearly demonstrated how successfully Liverpool has transformed itself.  Once a conventional historic port Liverpool is now a modern commercial city within an industrial fringe.  We wish to congratulate UK Property Forums and Matt Battle for a wonderful conference and Keppie Massie for the tour and dinner themes.

It is also worth pointing out that in addition to these historical projects we have quite a lot of recent and current projects in Liverpool as you can see by the list below:

Recent D & B Projects in Liverpool include:

• We advised on the John Lewis roll-out programme which included Liverpool and supported WSP on the Liverpool One development.

• Mersey Tunnels – installed new lift at Wallasey Stores building and a full modernisation of passenger lifts at Wallasey Police and Tolls terminal 

• University of Liverpool – new install of passenger lift and 1 VPL at LORI Project

• Belle Vale Shopping Centre – full modernisation of Mall passenger lift

• Broadgreen Hospital – installation of a bed/passenger lift

• RBS/NWB Skelmersdale – new bullion lift

•  The Capital Building (formerly Royal Insurance HQ) modernisation of the main group of lifts.

• Port of Liverpool Building  - Grade II* listed  – 5 full replacements 2010

• Cunard Building - Grade II* listed – 6  major modernisations 2005 

• Maritime Museum – Part of Albert Dock – Grade 1 listed -  hydraulic modernisations 2007

We also handle the Maintenance Management for the National Museums Liverpool which includes the Museum of Liverpool. 

Do you have a current or planned project in the Liverpool area? We would be happy to discuss any such requirements and how we may be able to assist. Please contact us visit our Warrington Office and ask for Vance Cunningham to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Liverpool Vision, 10th floor, The Capital, 39 Old Hall Street,   Liverpool, L3 9PP