Managing a vertical transport scheme for 22 lifts and improving energy efficiency

Background

Tower 42 was the UK’s first skyscraper and, at 183 metres, the tallest building in the City of London from its opening in 1981 until 2010. Amongst a growing list of iconic structures, it continues to be a significant landmark.

Brief

In 2010 we were instructed to develop a vertical transport scheme for the 22 lifts housed within the tower to provide building users with a discernible high quality travelling experiences, in line with the high quality expectations of the building. Energy efficiency was a prime focus for the project as was the expectation that the lifts would provide a good service for the next 20 years.

Challenges

We were chosen for this commission for our in depth knowledge of the lift market and proven track record in working on lift projects in existing buildings. Equally important was our expertise in energy management.

The technical challenges were significant and required a comprehensive understanding of safety principles in addition to technical capability as the original high speed, high rise, double deck lift machines had been installed by crane during initial installation.

Our solution had to replace the lift equipment in an occupied building maintaining lift service throughout.

Process

Our specialist lift and building services engineers designed a turn-key scheme that met all of the client’s objectives. We incorporated innovations such as high speed polymer diverting pulleys, high performance ropes and fibre data to the car providing video link to trapped passengers. The goods lift was designed to carry an increased load to enable the movement of equipment to and from plant rooms.

A key consideration for us was the re-use of structural elements of the pre-existing lift service whilst using state of the art drive technologies to improve energy efficiency of the lift service and offer a sustainable solution in keeping with the trend of upgrades for this prime office accommodation.

The outcome

The success of the project led to our appointment on almost 30 lifecycle upgrade projects and we served a period as interim technical services manager, overseeing the day to day technical operations and managing financial and safety risks.

Since 2011 we have sought to ensure the quality of the lifts is maintained by carrying out regular Lift Maintenance Audits, and supporting the building’s management team,  for both lift and escalator management..

As the lift modernisation project nears its end, building users are experiencing a reliable, fast high rise lift service with a design quality in keeping with the landmark status of Tower 42.