Stannah’s Midilift SLplus – providing access solution in a listed building

Thanks to its fully glazed, self-supporting structure, Stannah’s new Midilift SLplus cabin platform lift delivered the ideal access solution in Harborough District Council’s recently transformed, Grade II listed offices in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

Although the self-supporting structure made the lift easy to install, Stannah also went the extra mile to ensure secure fixing in a difficult location, next to the stairs against an existing short-angled wall. By installing special supporting brackets, Stannah enabled the fixing points to tie-back to the wall, allowing the fully glazed structure and lift car to deliver access over two floors, whilst also complementing the light, airy design aesthetic.

“The Midilift SLplus provided the best access solution,” states Terry Waterworth, Senior Architect at Archial NORR. “All the decision-makers agreed that the position and type of lift in the large entrance atrium was critical.

Positioned next to the stairs, the lift car is housed within a self-supporting structure comprising 21 glass panels. The upper facing panels are customised typographically to illustrate the facilities available, also making it an attractive, easily identified fixture from any angle. The remaining clear glass panels maximise the sense of space, allowing areas of the atrium around and beyond the lift to remain visible.”

The decision to install a Midilift SLplus was very much a community decision in this £5.7 million upgrade that took the 19th-century The Symington Building – a former corset factory – from council offices to vibrant community hub.

With consideration of the Equality Act imperative, stakeholder consultation workshops were held with Harborough District Council, local community representatives, Willmott Dixon as main contractor, and Archial NORR as lead designers.

The hydraulic-drive Midilift SLplus cabin platform lift carries a rated load of 400kg at a speed of 0.15m/s over a distance of 3695mm, bringing access to all facilities including theLocal Authority offices, Library and Museum.

The glazed lift car interior comprises grey vinyl skin plate with a stainless steel dado rail, mirrored stainless steel car operating panel trim, grid-style backlit ceiling, a black stud vinyl floor, and intercom. The platform size is a roomy 1100mm x 1400mm. The lift was handed over ready for the opening of the building in December 2013.

Looking and behaving more like a conventional passenger lift, the Midilift SLplus was introducedto bridge the gap between the Midilift SL and Midilift XLplus cabin platform lifts.

It offers the benefits of simple installation, no pit and low running costs.

The Midilift SLplus is Part M (England & Wales) and Section 4.2 (Scotland) compliant; meets the requirements of the Equality Act 2010; and is serviced by the West Midlands and Mid Wales branch of Stannah Lift Services,part of a nationwide network providing 24 hour, 365 days a year support.

– See more at: http://www.stannahlifts.co.uk/news-and-resources/news-centre/479/stannahs-midilift-slplus–providing-access-solution-in-a-listed-building/#sthash.9mA8K8Uh.dpuf