Stannah FX Structure-Supported lifts

The Stannah Maxilift can be supplied in its own structure, instead of using a conventional wall-mounted configuration. This helps to reduce building time and costs by reducing the amount of structural work needed prior to the lift installation. Most of the load is transmitted to the floor of the pit, avoiding the high cost of building a load-bearing lift shaft.

The FX advantage

The Stannah FX structure is a standard option for all six and eight person Maxilifts and a special option for some of our other lifts – please contact us for further information. It comprises a steel ‘shaft within a shaft’ that is erected by our installation engineers, incorporates a lifting beam, and negates the need for scaffolding within the shaft, saving both time and money on site. It is often used in existing lift shafts, or existing buildings when the walls are not considered strong enough to support a wall-mounted model.

Key benefits of the Stannah FX:

• Designed and manufactured by Stannah in the UK
• There is no need for inserts (unistruts) for fixing to be built by the builder, making it easier to build and saving cost
• There are no load bearing walls to be built, making it easier and cheaper to build
• Scaffolding is not needed (on most models) to erect the lift, saving substantial cost and disruption, with fewer people involved
• There is no need to have a lifting beam built into the top of the lift shaft by the builder, saving money. Stannah supply this on the structure
• There is no need to hire a structural engineer to test the lifting load of the lifting beam, saving cost
• The structure is assembled within the lift shaft by Stannah
• Can be installed into existing lift wells with minimal builders work
• Simplifies building programme
• No lintels or separate pit access ladder required

Timber Framed FX

Timber framed construction is being used with greater frequency in building developments. Due to shrinkage and settlement inherent in this type of building design, current lift structures were found to be too rigid which can mean movement around the lift entrances of as much as 30mm on a five floor lift.

The Timber Framed FX provides an innovative solution for timber framed buildings, where natural vertical movement due to timber shrinkage can cause problems when combined with a conventional lift shaft. The unique Timber Framed FX from Stannah incorporates slipper plates that allow the building to move independently of the lift structure. This prevents stress on the building, which might in turn damage the lift and result in costly repair and redecoration work.

From Stannah’s experience the concrete pit area and the interior cladding of the timber frame rarely line up, a discrepancy of 30mm being common, so an additional 50mm has been added to the width and depth of the lift shaft for the new option to allow for this discrepancy.

Detailed Builders work drawings are produced for each client and provide designers and builders with information on how to reduce problems with settlement on site – please contact Stannah for more information.