Accrington & Rossendale College
Accrington and Rossendale College had been experiencing persistent issues with their existing passenger lift, which was installed within a lightweight concrete blockwork shaft. The lift relied on embedded pad stones and cast-in Halfen channels for structural support. Over time, however, the continuous operational movements of the lift caused gradual deterioration of the lift shaft walls and their associated fixings.
Visible cracking and signs of structural instability began to appear, indicating that the existing blockwork was no longer able to reliably support the lift equipment. The degradation posed a risk not only to the lift itself but also to the safety of the building occupants, as well as the potential for increased downtime if the lift required emergency repairs. The college recognised the urgency of addressing these issues and sought a solution that would restore structural integrity, stabilise the lift shaft, and allow the lift to remain operational with minimal disruption to day-to-day activities.
Challenges Identified
The primary challenge of this project was the compromised structural condition of the lift shaft. The lightweight blockwork and the ageing embedded fixings were no longer capable of withstanding the operational loads imposed by the lift. A complete rebuild of the shaft was considered, but this would have been highly disruptive, costly, and time-consuming, potentially rendering the lift out of service for a significant period.
The solution therefore had to meet several critical requirements:
TJ Lift Solutions Ltd was engaged to assess the structural condition of the lift shaft and recommend a robust, cost-effective solution. Following a detailed site inspection, structural review, and engineering analysis, the team devised a bespoke stabilisation system based on full-length steel support brackets.
These steel brackets were designed to span the existing pad stones within the shaft, providing continuous vertical support for the lift guide fixings. To ensure a secure and long-lasting solution, the brackets were anchored into the blockwork using certified chemical resin fixings, strategically positioned at 300–400mm intervals. This configuration allowed for optimal load distribution and significantly increased the shaft’s structural resilience.
One of the key considerations was maintaining lift operation during the works wherever possible. The TJ Lift Solutions team meticulously planned the installation to reduce disruption to the college, carefully sequencing the works to allow the lift to continue serving students and staff throughout the project.
Implementation
The installation process involved:
Photographic documentation before and after installation clearly illustrated the enhanced structural integrity achieved by the steel support system.
Outcome
The stabilisation works were completed efficiently and within the agreed timeframe, restoring the lift shaft’s structural integrity and preventing further wall deterioration. The bespoke steel bracket solution ensured the safe and continued operation of the passenger lift without the need for a costly and disruptive shaft rebuild.
Accrington and Rossendale College expressed high satisfaction with the project outcome, highlighting the technical expertise, practical problem-solving approach, and minimal operational disruption delivered by TJ Lift Solutions Ltd. The solution not only safeguarded the existing lift installation but also extended its operational lifespan, providing peace of mind to the college and its staff.
This project stands as a clear example of TJ Lift Solutions’ ability to deliver innovative, durable, and cost-effective engineering solutions for lift infrastructure, ensuring safety, reliability, and value for clients.
