Stannah injected
present-day performance into an historic passenger lift whilst conserving its
yesteryear veneer.
The project proved a
tour de force that helped update access in the transformation of the Grade
II-listed Bristol Police HQ into the YMCA’s The Bristol Wing.
The South
West England and South Wales branch of Stannah Lifts Services worked in conjunction with main contractor, John Perkins Construction, and Ferguson
Mann Architects, to bring the project to a successful conclusion, on time
and budget.
The site dates back
to the 13th century and boasts a colourful history that includes being home to
a prison, the Chief Constable, the Invisible Circus theatre troupe, a group of
artists, crown courts and a fire station.
The current building
was constructed in the 1930s and was Bristol Police HQ for over 160 years.
Following their relocation, the building was snapped up by the YMCA and
transformed into The Bristol Wing, a quirky, 90-bed boutique hostel, with
prices starting from £18 a night. This social enterprise offers affordable
accommodation for budget-conscious visitors and emergency lodging for young
homeless people.
The renovation fuses
period charm with today’s essentials, such as private and ensuite rooms,
dormitories for backpackers, WiFi, and, of course, the all-important Stannah
passenger lift refurbishment.
The original New
York-style passenger lift was around 80 years old and operated within a
traditional cage structure rising through the central stairwell of the building
to serve five floors.
Always the
building’s showpiece, the lift was in dire need of a major cosmetic, mechanical
and electrical upgrade to match today’s demands in style, comfort, performance
and safety. Yet it had to retain its historic aesthetic – a brief that proved a
big ask when put out to tender, but one that was eventually secured by Stannah
and their ability to flex their expertise to accommodate the unique challenges
of this project.
To achieve star lift
status Stannah drew upon its 150-year pedigree in meeting the challenges and
changes of an ever-developing lift industry.
The passenger lift
underwent an exhaustive overhaul, from motor room, shaft and pit through to car
doors and interior, together with all associated mechanics – to emerge
transformed yet still its recognisable, characterful former self.
Stannah undertook
the responsibility for lowering the lift car and counterweight into the pit for
safety.
Stannah removed and
replaced the original workings with a high-tech system designed to deliver
fast, efficient, dependable service that protects lift users and Stannah lift
maintenance engineers:
- Machine, raft and diverter:
with load, speed and drive characteristics to match the new control
system.
- Core drilled slab: to allow
for the overspeed governor.
- Floors and walls: cleaned and
sealed to prevent dust contamination and to optimise reliability of the
new lifting equipment.
- Main isolator with
locking-off facility: for safety.
- Machinery guarding: to
maximise the safety of authorised persons working in the machine room.
- Mechanics control station
fitted to the lift roof: for safe access and full control of lift movement
during maintenance, inspection or insurance activities. Installed with all
necessary switches and wiring and fully compatible with the existing
control system.
- Lift controller: housed in a
sheet-steel cabinet.
- PVC insulated trunking and
cabling: improves performance reliability and safety.
The passenger lift
now carries up to five people (400kg) between five floors at a smooth,
safe, speed of 1.0 m/s – a must if the YMCA is to meet the Access for All
requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
This sensitive
approach supports the sympathetic metamorphosis of this classic building into
an upmarket YMCA, with all works completed within Historic England guidelines.
As with all Stannah
lift products, the refurbished passenger lift meets all required legislation in
design, manufacture and performance. For full information on Acts,
Regulations, Directives, Codes of Practice and Standards.
All Stannah lift
products are designed and manufactured to be energy efficient and
cost-effective to run. In this case, the traction-drive passenger lift combines
yesteryear looks with today’s energy efficient guidelines – in keeping with The
Bristol Wing’s ethos of sustainable construction that includes, but is not
limited to, solar panels, high levels of insulation and double-glazed windows.
As with all Stannah
installations and refurbishments, The Bristol Wing passenger lift is covered by
a by a 1-year, full maintenance package as part of the contract.
