Stannah – updating top UK University

The complete refurbishment of a triplex suite of passenger lifts by the South West England and South Wales branch of Stannah Lift Services is helping the University of Bristol achieve its centenary commitment to a ‘Great past – greater future’. The three 11-person, traction-drive lifts help to move up to four-hundred people between seven floors in the Chancellery, a core area of the University administration hub, Senate House, close to Bristol city centre. The refurbishment was both functional and cosmetic. Landing doors were reskinned, and lift cars relined with grey wall boards complemented by mirrors, lighting and grey flooring. At ground-floor level, the exterior lift fascia wall was fully flanked in highly polished black glass, with natural-wood skirting and trim at all levels. Gears, control panels, landing buttons and indicators were replaced, and safety gears and overspeed governors with Vector Control were fitted. The motor room was also completely renovated. As a unique finishing touch, each lift displays an oval plaque (replicating the original ones) carrying the Stannah logo. The refurbishment was achieved without disruption to work flow, as Stuart Beard, Branch Manager of the Bristol branch of Stannah Lift Services explains: “We are experienced in the management of lift replacement projects in live buildings. Building work was managed by segregating our works and forming a separate building site in the building with our own site rules and procedures.” This latest project was secured on the strength of Stannah Lift Services’ pedigree at the University: the Bristol branch is already contracted to service the University’s 140-lift portfolio – all types and ages from a wide range of lift manufacturers, including Stannah. By continuing to update the University of Bristol’s people-moving capability in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Stannah is not only supporting its commitment to modernisation and refurbishment but also helping to maintain its status as a leading UK University with a global reputation for outstanding teaching and research.