Unusual Lifts: What are the Magic Carpet® Lifts of New Zealand?

Image credit: @lauralboardman - Outdraw

New Zealand has a higher proportion of self build homes than the UK, approximately 40% compared with 12% here according to the National Custom and Self Build Association. New Zealand homes also tend to be bigger than those in the UK  (an average of 1913 versus 826 square feet for new homes*) These two conditions have laid the foundation (no pun intended) for a flourishing market for lifts in private residences, usually for two or three storey homes. Often lifts are added to existing buildings rather than conceptualised at the planning stage and as a consequence homeowners install vertical transportation solutions that differ from the usual conventional lift. The Magic Carpet® Lift is an example of a different vertical transportation solution.

What is a Magic Carpet® platform lift?

The Magic Carpet is a hydraulic platform lift system that can transport passengers (there are 300 kg and 750 kg load capacity versions) up to a height of ten metres serving any number of floors within that height restriction. The ascent speed is limited to 200mm per second. New Zealanders have been installing them in ever increasing quantities since 1990. This company (link to http://www.lifts.co.nz) owns the registered trademark for Magic Carpets lifts.

How do Magic Carpets work?

Magic Carpet® platform lifts are powered by a direct-acting pumped (recirculating) water-hydraulic system. In the unlikely event of a power outage a backup battery system allows for safe and reliable descent. The Magic Carpet platform system uses a handrail mounted on a floor that is buffered from flush & smooth lift well walls by a complete carpet overlay, it moves vertically within those stationary walls. Travelling controls are incorporated within the floor-mounted handrail.

What are the benefits?

The Magic Carpet® lift system is easy to install and affordable compared to a conventional lift. There are many successful installations and happy customers in New Zealand. However, we recommend that any lift should comply with international standards and this product would not comply in anywhere other than New Zealand.

Are you working on a project that requires vertical transportation? Dunbar and Boardman is the lift, escalator and access equipment consultancy. We would be happy to discuss with you. Give us a call on T +44 (0) 20 7739 5093 or send us an email via peterboardman@dunbarboardman.com to start the conversation.

*Source - http://www.demographia.com/db-intlhouse.htm

 

Spotlight on Leeds

Dunbar and Boardman first opened a Leeds office during November 2002 in Westgate House at 100 Wellington Street in the city centre. The first project that the office worked on was Tower House Leeds now known as Tower North Central.  Tower North Central is a 77 metre high office tower with 20 floors situated at the top of Leeds city centre on Merrion Way close to the Merrion Centre.  Initially constructed in 1967 it was refurbished during 2003-2004 and now provides 76,800 sq. ft. of office space. The refurbishment included modernisation of a four-car group of passenger lifts for Jones Lang LaSalle.

Many other projects followed including the HBoS HQ Halifax. That was a project that necessitated the modernisation of 12 passenger lifts. In April 2013 as a consequence of our business growing we moved the short distance from Wellington Street to Wellington Place.  Below are a few of the projects that we have completed recently:

Asda - We completed a number of stores for Asda in 2014 including their new Mosborough store near Sheffield. That project required:  3 x moving walks, 2 x Passenger lifts, 1 x DDA platform Lift & 1 x Dock Leveller. All installed by Kone Plc.

Wm Morrison Plc – During 2014 we also completed a number of stores for Morrisons including their new Weybridge store. Two moving walks and two passenger lifts were installed at their Weybridge store.

Bradford Royal Infirmary - D&B drew up the specification on behalf of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The project required the installation of 1 x 2500Kg 33 person Bed Evacuation Lift including a modular lift shaft. Pickering's Lift won the tender to manufacture the lift; Traditional Lift Products constructed the modular shaft. The lift equipment was installed within the shaft modules by Pickering’s at TLP’s factory unit in Knowsley. The five storey lift shaft & lift equipment was installed in 3 days.

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

5th Floor, 2 Wellington Place, Leeds LS1 4AP Tel: 0207 739 5093 Email: paulhastings@dunbarboardman.com