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Lifts and Escalators 519
hydraulic lift provides safe and convenient lowering for passengers and service engineers
alike. An emergency button/switch will allow the lift to lower automatically under gravity.
Non-motor room option
An alternative to the dedicated motor room is a ‘motor-roomless’ option for some models.
This space-saving design incorporates a cabinet with control equipment that can be
mounted on or recessed into a wall adjacent to the lift shaft (Figure 9.1). In addition to
saving space, the surface-mounted cabinet allows maintenance work on drive and control
equipment to be conducted safely (and outside the lift well).
Lift function
The function of the lift will determine the size, safe loading, speed and interior finish of
the lift car. Lifts tend to be described as passenger lifts, goods lifts, trolley lifts, service lifts,
stair lifts and vertical platform lifts.
Passenger lifts
Passenger lifts are usually specified by the maximum number of people carried per lift car.
For example a six person lift (450 kg) or eight person lift (630 kg). The speed of the lift
(both the response time to a call and the time to travel between floors) may also be a prime
consideration for tall buildings. Computer software is used to calculate the number of lifts
required to suit certain capacities and peaks in traffic. The quality of the interior finish is
usually specified to match the quality of the building interior.
Firefighting lifts
It is possible to construct buildings with designated firefighting lifts. These lifts and the
protected lift shaft have an independent electrical supply so that they can still function in a fire.
They may be used by firefighters to gain access to floors if it is deemed safe to do so (depending
on the circumstances of the fire or emergency). Specific safety features apply to firefighting
lifts, as set out in Approved Document B and the EN-81 group of standards.
Goods lifts
Goods lifts are designed to be durable and functional. The lift car is usually constructed
from mild steel sheeting with a baked enamel finish to the walls and a heavy-duty vinyl to
the floor. They are usually specified by minimum size of the lift car and maximum loading.
Speed of the lift car is not a prime consideration. Goods lifts may be built with a lift shaft
or loadbearing wall for support. Alternatively, goods lifts with their own robust structure
and motor assembly are available, which allows for greater flexibility in positioning. Selfcontained
lift assemblies alleviate the need for a separate motor room and are ideally suited
to installation in existing buildings. Building work is required to make the necessary openings,
followed by installation and commissioning. Typical loadings range from 500 to
1500 kg. The size of the lift car will depend on the type of goods being transported between
floors. Goods trolleys, palletised goods, warehouse stock, furniture and other bulky goods
are typical loads. If the goods lift is to be used for passengers as well, then the lift car will
need to be larger.
Trolley lifts
Some goods lifts are designed to accommodate goods trolleys only. Trolley lifts provide a
quick, safe and efficient way of moving heavy loads on a trolley between different floor