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St Leonards Hospital

Ardent supporting the NHS Property Services

A multi-lift modernisation project successfully completed despite the challenges faced during a global pandemic!

History of the property

St Leonard’s Hospital originated as the infirmary for the St Leonard Shoreditch workhouse, which opened in 1777. Although originally named the Shoreditch Infirmary, by 1920, it had become known as St Leonard’s Hospital. St Leonard’s is believed to be the first hospital to receive air-raid casualties during the Blitz and suffered severe bomb damage itself in 1941.

The in-patient wards were closed in 1984 and St Leonard’s ceased to be a general hospital. The Hospital has since been renamed St Leonards Health Centre, a primary care centre, co-ordinating community services.

The Project Brief

Ardent Lift Consultancy were approached by the Client to ascertain the condition of the lifts within this property. Our brief from the NHS Property Services was to provide a cost-effective solution to provide reliable lift service for their staff and patients, whilst incorporating works to address any outstanding health and safety or disabled access items to comply with modern standards.

The first lift (Lift B3) is a hydraulic passenger lift serving in the main reception of the hospital, the second lift (Lift D4) is an electric traction through car bed lift serving the central core and the third (Lift D5) is an electric traction passenger goods located to the rear of the property.

The Ardent approach

At Ardent we are keen advocates of retaining lift equipment where it is economically prudent, but also technically sound to do so.

How we can achieve the lift refurbishment is generally our starting point when surveying a lift, but sometimes we are left to conclude replacement as the better/only option available; however, on this occasion we determined that refurbishing the existing lifts was the right course of action. 

Lift Equipment
Condition Surveys

The three lifts all differed in design, age, condition, and functionality; all were installed during different phases of the hospital’s history.

The lifts had also undergone partial modernisation previously, which meant we had to thoroughly assess the condition of the original and replaced equipment to ascertain their performance, longevity to produce a specification to accurately reflect the level of works required for each individual lift at the property.

The specification was issued to four independent Lift Contractors, all keen to undertake the refurbishment works. We evaluated their returns on their proposed equipment, procurement of materials, onsite programme, cost, and their knowledge and experience. After our evaluation we then met with the Client to discuss our recommendations, their options and preferences, a Lift Contractor was appointed shortly after.

The project commenced during the early stages of 2020.

Covid-19 Vs Programme

During the first phase of the works the COVID19 pandemic become prevalent nationwide and the subsequent lockdown was enforced by the Government. It was essential to complete the onsite works to ensure the hospital’s vertical transportation was fully operational for the staff and patients alike.

We therefore worked closely with the Client and Lift Contractor to ensure additional measures were enforced (as per Government guidelines) such as wearing masks, gloves, providing hand washing stations, maintaining social distancing, etc. and though challenging at times, all involved managed to ensure the refurbishment works completed safely and on programme.

The programme of works was agreed with the Client in a manner to minimise disruption to the operational performance of the property, we have included various before and after photographs and a summary of specified and completed works.

Lift B3 – Passenger Lift

The lift was originally installed Express Lifts in the late 1980’s the lift is a hydraulic indirectly roped 10-person (1000kg) passenger lift. The motor room is located to the rear of the shaft in the Basement of the property housing the lift’s main components.

The lift was partially refurbished in 2006 approx. this work included, a replacement controller and hydraulic system. The replacement systems at 13 years, were of operating towards the latter stages of their economic design life.

The original car door operator and landing door systems were in worn condition and therefore required replacement.

Before photographs taken during our initial survey in 2019

Our specification included for new UK based open protocol control system, new hydraulic power unit and overhaul of the hydraulic ram. New car door operator, new landing door equipment including TFT screen indication.

The ageing stainless steel car interior was polished, a new car operating panel installed, new flooring and car lighting was installed to complete the car interior. All health and safety items were completed to ensure safe usage for passengers and Engineers during routine maintenance and inspection.

After photographs taken during witness test and snagging 2020

Lift D4 – Bed Lift

Lift D4 was originally installed in 1972 by Wadsworth Lifts. The lift is an electric traction 24-person (2000kg) bed lift with car entrances to both the front and rear of the lift car. The lift’s main components (control system and hoisting machine) are contained within the motor room within the roof space of the property (above the shaft).

The lift underwent a previous refurbishment in 2004 approx. however, the lift was showing signs of wear commensurate with the age of the installation. The replaced equipment (control system, car door operators, landing doors, etc.) at approximately 15 years old were approaching a stage where additional investment needed to be considered over the medium term to prevent future failure of the equipment.

Due to the other lifts requiring refurbishment we advised this was incorporated within this scheme to ensure the Client benefitted from an economy of scale.

Before photographs taken during our initial survey in 2019

Our specification included for a new UK based open protocol control system and hoisting machine. New car door operators and the overhaul of the landing door equipment was incorporated within the specification.

The original car interior was cleaned, the dated car operating panel replaced, new LED panel car lighting and non-slip flooring was installed to complete the car interior.

All health and safety items were completed to ensure safe usage for passengers and Engineers during routine maintenance and inspection.

After photographs taken during witness test and snagging 2020

Lift D5 – Goods Passenger Lift

Lift D5 was originally installed in 1989 by Evans Lifts, the lift is an electric traction unit and was installed with firefighting capabilities. The lift was showing signs of wear and tear commensurate with the age of the installation.

The lift had not been subject to any significant refurbishment or upgrade and had therefore surpassed its economic design life. At approximately 30 years old, the lift required additional investment to prevent further failure of the equipment resulting in poor service.

The lift was also outmoded, and additional works were required to address outstanding health and safety items in the event of recent changes to regulations.

Before photographs taken during our initial survey in 2019

The specification included for a new UK based open protocol control system and hoisting machine. New car door operator and the overhaul of the landing door equipment was incorporated within the specification.

The lower section of the car interior (checker plating) was cleaned at the upper sections were sprayed white. The new car operating panel (COP) was relocated from the front panel to the side wall to adhere to regulations. New car fronts were installed to cover the void left from the original COP and sprayed white to match the upper sections of the side panels. A new suspended ceiling housing LED downlighters and non-slip flooring was installed to complete the car interior.

All outstanding health and safety items were completed to ensure safe usage for passengers and provide a safe working environment for Engineers during routine maintenance and inspection.

After photographs taken during witness test and snagging 2020

Summary

The onsite works were undertaken by PIP Lifts who managed to refurbish all the lifts at the property to a high standard. Their team showed a great level of professionalism and determination during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure the hospitals staff and patients could continue to utilise the vertical transportation at the property.

St Leonards Hospital now has a lift portfolio that should provide reliable lift service for the foreseeable future.

The technically challenging venture came in on time and on budget, with a good level of operational performance recorded since the completion of the job.

Client Testimonials

Don’t take our word for it – here’s what our client had to say:

Today I attended the handover of the third and final refurbished lift at St Leonards. It was a pleasure to see previously dilapidated, unreliable lifts in such a good condition.

The construction works led by Martin Meltzer, Site FSM Tony Bryan together with the concise and fundamentally wholesome scope developed and managed by Chris Eaton of Ardent allowed PIP lifts to execute such works.

This investment has the patient at the centre of its rationale providing safe, compliant, reliable lifts within a much-needed local healthcare resource in the heart of Hoxton. It also illustrates the great collaborative work between FM Ops and Construction. A great all-round effort with a patient centric result.

Michael John Turrell

Technical Service Manager – London | National Combustion Lead

Thanks to all the team.

I must say the implementation of this lift project is a fantastic example of excellent project teamwork between all parties concerned.

Well done everyone!

Tony Bryan

Facilities Services Manager – City & Hackney | Tower Hamlets

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