Lift Modernisation vs. Replacement

Many clients ask whether lift modernisation or full replacement is more cost effective. The answer is not straight forward as many factors need to be considered in addition to budget. Two critical factors are a lift’s Life Expectancy and whether a lift is Fit for Purpose (Duty). Once these are understood, you can consider selecting the correct strategy and equipment to meet the life expectancy and duty needs of your building. 

Life Expectancy 

The type and intensity of use will directly impact your lift’s expected lifespan. The target for life expectancy should be 20 years without major investment, other than routine replacement of consumable parts. 

It should be noted that a low use lift may require robust finishes and doors, for example a lift in sheltered accommodation where wheelchairs and scooters are in frequent use. In this instance the standard model replacement lift may not be robust enough to provide a reliable service, and modernisation may be the preferred solution. 

Other important life expectancy considerations include: 

• Condition and Age: As useful indicators of future performance and reliability, condition and age can influence whether a modernisation or full replacement may be more beneficial. 
• Change in Usage: Existing lift equipment may be subject to changes in usage over the course of its life. Change in usage from the initially intended duty may influence the value of modernisation versus full replacement. 

Once you’ve considered the life expectancy of your lift based on the condition of the existing equipment, you may evaluate whether it is more beneficial to carry out a lift modernisation or lift replacement program. The cost effective solution may not be best when considering your equipment’s condition. 

Fit for Purpose (Duty)

It is important that your lift has a robust specification based on its expected use to ensure that life expectancy and reliability are achieved. A maintenance regime carried out in accordance with the Operation and Maintenance Manual is essential to ensure that your lift performs as designed and provides mitigation in the event of any accident or incident. 

When it comes to ensuring your lift equipment is fit for purpose, you must evaluate whether the equipment being offered complies with recognised standards. For instance, some manufacturers offer a platform lift with a fully enclosed car, power operated car and landing doors that allow a new lift to be installed with a shallow pit and low headroom. These lifts do not comply with recognised standards, with the original design of these lifts being for very infrequent use by persons with disability only. Passengers, buggies, movement of goods and other general usages are not recommended in this case. As such, lift reliability will become a major issue. This type of lift, one not fit for purpose, will not provide the typical life expectancy of a suitably specified conventional lift. 

Other important duty considerations include: 

• British Standard Compliance: Model lifts designed and manufactured in accordance with the Lift Regulations and EN standards may not include some of the additional items detailed in the Code of Practice for Safe Working on LIfts (BS 7255). It is essential that any lift offered includes these as standard. 
• Future Implications: Equipment that is not fit for purpose may ultimately require replacement earlier than envisaged, often requiring major civil works to accommodate an appropriate lift. 

In conclusion, there is no simple methodology to determine whether lift modernisation or replacement is the best solution when an existing lift is coming to the end of its life. The most cost effective offer may not be the best solution. A higher, but not disproportionate, cost may need to be considered depending on your lift equipments’ life expectancy and duty. 

If a modernisation is considered, the relevant British Standards must be considered as the type of works to be carried out may invoke other works listed in other standards from the EN 81 Suite. All appropriate current Legislation, Codes of Practice and Standards must be complied with, without reservation. 

Article prepared by Greg Harris, Technical Director, Lerch Bates Europe.