Lift Refurbishment and Lift Consultants
When is lift refurbishment an option?
Lift refurbishment could be the solution. But with approximately half of all lifts in the UK more than 30 years old, lift owners/operators are often faced with questions about what to do with their old lift(s).
- Lift Modernisation
- Lift Refurbishment
- Lift Replacement
- Do Nothing
We are discounting the Do-Nothing option because it is assumed that there are overriding reasons to Do Something!
This article covers refurbishing lifts. Other topic articles on lift modernisation and lift replacement are in the topic area with links to them at the end of this article.
There is also a Topic on Popular Lift Upgrades.
What does lift refurbishment actually mean?
When something is restored to an ‘as new’ condition we can say it has been refurbished. Worn out equipment is simply replaced like for like and nothing more. If lift components and lift equipment are replaced in this way, this is not considered an upgrade.
The replaced components will function as the originals were designed to do.
Examples of this are
- The bearing fails on the lift drive sheave of a pulley sheave. Either the bearing is replaced or the whole lift drive sheave or lift pulley is replaced.
- Lift motor burns out. The burnt lift motor is replaced with a new one.
- internal lift car lining is renovated as opposed to being replaced. Perhaps the old timber panels are removed and taken away for renovation but they are then returned in a refurbished condition.
- Lift Door replacements. This could be whole lift doors being damaged and replaced or perhaps new skins being applied to replace the old lift door skins.
With any of these changes to the lift, it will perform as it was designed to do so. Of course, performance and reliability will be improved, but then that is because worn lift components and/or equipment were replaced.
Significantly, there is no change in the level of safety. And, there is no duty on the owner/operator to bring the lift in line with the latest levels of safety.
However, there may be good reasons to go further than simply replacing like for like. These might include improved lift ride and floor levelling or saving on the lift energy consumption for example.
An illustration of the difference between a refurbishment and an upgrade is when an old two-speed motor is irreparably damaged. Then we could refurbish the lift by replacing the motor like for like. Alternatively, we could upgrade the lift by changing the motor with a modern variable speed drive. This certainly would not be a lift refurbishment.
Lift owners and operators will need to consider other options rather than just replacing components like for like.
Our lift consultants have specified and project managed many lift refurbishments. They are knowledgeable on what is available in the market and any Codes and Standards that should be considered. They will give straightforward practical advice to help you with make the correct decisions.
Learn more about lift refurbishment
Modernising lifts in occupied buildings and loss of lift service
The 5 things you need to know when considering a lift refurbishment.
