Is it Time for a Lift Replacement?

Is it Time for a Lift Replacement?

In an ideal world, lifts would last forever, providing peak performance right up to their last gasp. We know that the reality is quite different and, like with cars or laptops, there will come a time when they need to be replaced. Recognising the warning signs and planning in advance for a lift replacement will save your business money in the long run, and quell the mounting frustration of passengers.

How Long Does a Lift Last?

It’s a question the Tower Lifts team hears regularly. And the answer is less precise than we would like. The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Guide D suggests that an electric traction lift will last that between 20 and 25 years and a hydraulic lift has an expected lifespan of 15 years.

At Tower Lifts we regularly extend the life of lifts by a programme of refurbishment, or modernisation. In both cases worn or outdated components are replaced by the most up-to-date equivalents. This can sometimes double the natural life of the lift, ensuring that it remains cost-effective to run and safe for passengers to use.

Signs That a Lift Replacement is Necessary

Replacing a lift is costly, and disruptive. Which is why Tower Lifts engineers will always look for ways to modernise or refurbish before suggesting a lift replacement. In our experience, though, there comes a tipping point where the cost of keeping an old lift running is more of a drain on energy and resources than investment in a new lift installation.

There are a number of indicators that your lift may need replacing:

  • Where New Component Installation is Costly. In some cases, because of the initial design of the lift, component installation requires engineering work for fitting. This makes modernisation a costly option.
  • The Lift is Increasingly Unreliable. Despite everyone’s best efforts there can come a point where the required repairs are too frequent, and the service offered to passengers is deemed sub-standard.
  • Lift Components Not Easy to Replace. As a lift gets older the components become less easy to source. This adds to the time and cost of repairs and maintenance as engineers are having to search for sources.
  • LOLER Concerns. Every workplace lift requires regular LOLER inspections to ascertain its condition and compliance with safety standards. If your inspection is recommending awareness of current health and safety standards, it’s a sign that your lift is falling behind and needs attention.

The Process of Lift Replacement

Replacing your lift will enhance the building and the business. In place of vertical transport that’s at the end of its life, you’ll have a contemporary design that has greater sustainability, and runs more economically.

Tower Lifts consultants work with business and building owners and building managers to manage the replacement of a lift, or a lift infrastructure. We have a good deal of experience and expertise in this area and can provide guidance on the number and types of lift that will meet the demands of the business. We can scope out the project, develop the specification and manage the tendering process.

Lift Replacement From Tower Lifts

Tower Lifts is a leading UK installer of passenger lifts, goods lifts, and platform lifts. If you are planning a lift replacement, we can arrange to combine removal of your old lift with installation of a new one.

We work with clients to produce construction phase plans, risk assessments, method statements and asbestos checks. Tower Lifts is an ISO9001:2015 Lift Cert and UKAS approved company adhering to all current Lift Regulations.

Would you like to speak to a Tower Lifts engineer about a lift replacement? Call us today on 01525 601099

Tower Lifts carry out design and installation on a varied range of lifts throughout the UK including:

Domestic Lifts • Food Lifts • Bespoke Platform Lifts • Service Lifts • Platform Lifts • Goods Lifts • Scenic Lifts • Heavy Duty / Car Lifts • Passenger Lifts • Dumbwaiter Lifts • MRL Lifts • Fire lifts • Residential Lifts • low-Headroom Lift