Case Study: Maximising educational access for all
Stannah Lifts has carried out a major turnkey lift refurbishment on behalf of Hall Green Secondary School, a co-educational Academy in Birmingham with a reputation for inclusion.
Located in Southam Road in south Birmingham, Hall Green Secondary School has 900 pupils, some of whom use wheelchairs. To keep everyone mobile and with access to all the facilities ranged over two storeys, it was imperative to replace and extend the existing lift systems which were out of date and unable to meet the needs of this vibrant, growing school.
Scope of work
The Stannah Lifts team was responsible for removing and replacing the existing four lifts with a Maxilift MRC passenger lift and three Midlift vertical platform lifts. Stannah liaised with Hall Green Secondary School directly in this turnkey project, managing the removal of existing lifts and builders work to enable the installation of new Stannah lifts, whilst working as the principal contractor in compliance with CDM 2007. Stannah was responsible for all the building work and, to minimise disruption to the school routine, all the lifts were installed during term breaks.
The installations
In the main teaching block – replacing with a Maxilift MRC passenger lift
This 8-person Maxilift MRC passenger lift is a wall-mounted, single-entry model operating hydraulically between two floors, and was placed into an existing lift shaft. The motor room cabinet (MRC) is located several metres away, meaning the lift shaft can be smaller and the installation more cost-effective. The lift is also supplied with evacuation controls so the lift can be used in an emergency to vacate the school premises. This requirement is contained in BS9999:2008 which covers Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings.
Features also include:
Operation: Powered
Travel: 3635mm
Speed: 0.300m/s
Stops: 2
Headroom: 4103mm
Pit depth: 1510mm
Shaft size: 1800mm W x 2090mm D
Entrances: 2
Door width: 800mm
Car: Vandal resistant rigidised stainless steel
Mirror: Silver half-height rear
Handrails: 2 x stainless steel
Floor: PVC studded black vinyl
Additional: Evacuation controls
In the main reception area – replacing with a Midilift XLplus
A brand new Midilift XLplus vertical platform lift has replaced the former standard platform lift to bring enclosed cabin travel between two floors within the stairwell in the main reception area. It combines cost-effective ease of installation with superior operation – all the benefits of a platform lift plus the comfort of a passenger lift.
Features also include:
Doors: Panoramic fully glazed door at both levels
Operation: Powered
Travel: 3600mm
Speed: 0.08m/s
Stops: 2
Platform: 1100mm x 1400mm
Headroom: 2500mm
Pit depth: 70mm
Entrances: 2
Car: Light grey vinyl skin plate
Ceiling: White (RAL 9002)
Handrails: 2 x dark grey vinyl skin plate
Communication: Intercom
In the Science and ICT block – replacing with a Midlift SL
A Midilift SL vertical platform lift operates between two floors in the high-tech Dolphin Annex, a dedicated science and information communication technology suite.
Features also include:
Doors: Panoramic fully glazed door at both levels
Operation: Manual
Travel: 3560mm
Speed: 0.08m/s
Stops: 2
Platform: 1100mm x 1400mm
Car: Light grey vinyl skin plate
Floor: Light grey
Communication: Intercom
In the school hall – a brand new gated Midilift SL
A Midilift SL has brought access between floor and stage levels in the school hall for anyone with mobility issues. To minimise the lift’s profile the surrounds and interior were finished to blend with the wall.
Features also include:
Doors: Panoramic fully glazed door at ground level. Half-height fully glazed door at stage level
Operation: Manual
Travel: 890mm
Speed: 0.08m/s
Stops: 2
Platform: 1100mm x 1400mm
Ramp: at ground level (no need for a pit)
Surround: RAL7021 dark grey
Interior: RAL7021 dark grey
Floor: Light grey
Communication: Intercom
Easy to install
The Maxilift passenger lift was easily installed into its predecessor’s shaft and made good by Stannah. All three Midilifts were supplied in self-supporting structures which helped to reduce building time and costs by reducing the amount of structural work needed prior to the lift installations.
For peace of mind – total compliance
All four Stannah lifts meet all regulations and directives and help Hall Green Secondary School meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
Maintenance
Stannah’s lift products and team performance so impressed the school’s key decision makers that they also awarded the service contract to Stannah – truly a turnkey package from start to finish and beyond.
All the lifts will be maintained by the West Midlands & Mid Wales branch of Stannah Lift Services, part of a nationwide network of lift support that maintains more than 83,000 lift products across the UK – all types of lift from all manufacturers.
“We’re all pleased with the lifts and it really makes a difference to our wheelchair-using pupils; they really appreciate having something new and modern rather than their out-of-date counterparts. Stannah also upgraded the main passenger lift to an evacuation lift – something we’ve been wanting for ten years!”