We were approached by Bitterne Park School in Southampton as they wanted to install disabled access across their main school building and were having difficulty in positioning the school lift. Schools can often find it difficulty to find the space for disabled access in or around existing buildings especially if the building is 20 years or older. Bitterne Park School had this same problem so got in touch about where a lift could be positioned to maximise the existing space of the school and make it easier for pupils with wheelchairs to get to and from lessons.
We installed a Vimec EO6 platform lift across 3 floors with a travel distance of 10 metres. The school lift was fitted in its own external glazed shaft with black weatherproof steel and then was directly fitted to the existing school building. The lift was installed with fully automatic swing landing doors on each landing. We also installed the lift with a "school timer" that means after it has been used the lift automatically travels away from the floor level so the system is completely locked and no one can gain access to the lift shaft. The pupils or members of staff with the access key for the lift can then use it as and when they need to. The pump was installed within a secure steel cabinet opposite the ground floor door. We not only carried out the lift installation inclusive of the glazed shaft but also project managed the building work for the local LEA.
Location: Hampshire
Status: Complete
Year Completed: 2012