Lifts, Stairs & Balustrades

Grade 2 listed building gets new external platform lift

The Bicester Courtyard Centre, located a few miles North of Oxford, is a Grade 2 listed building which required a new platform lift to allow access to the upper level.

Their existing platform lift had been in place for over 20 years, but hadn’t been working for a number of years. Ability Lifts first removed, and disposed of this lift before replacing it with their Optimum 400 external platform lift.

The existing lift pit was filled to provide a solid concrete base, allowing Ability Lifts to fit an external ramp. This also ensured that the new lift wasn’t sitting in a pit which could fill up with water and debris.

Unlike external lifts offered by other companies, the Optimum 400 lift offers a full IP65 rating enabling it to be used externally in all weathers. The rating ensures the lift is protected against ingress of dust, as well as water jets from all directions. The shaft is constructed from hard wearing stainless steel, with a durable powder coated finish in a choice of four colours. Glazing is available on 3 sides of the enclosure to allow increased light into the shaft.

The platform has a floor area of a spacious 1100 x 1400mm and a lifting capacity of 400kgs - suitable for the heaviest of motorised wheelchairs. In addition, each stop has voice announcement, and digital indicators at each landing entrance.

A flexible installation schedule was offered due to the disruption from Covid 19. The removal and disposal of the lift was completed in one day, whilst installation of the new lift was completed within just one and half days and handed over to a very happy client.

Please contact the Ability Lifts team on 0845 006 8803 or email sales@abilitylifts.co.uk for further information on the Optimum 400 and the other products in the Optimum range of lifts.

PlatformLifts

HereatAbilityLifts,weoffer solutionsformanydifferent accessrequirements,from platformliftsandstairplatform lifts,toexternallifts,accesslifts andmuchmore.Weaimtooffer topqualityserviceandhighly competitiveprices.

Allofouraccessliftsarein compliancewiththeMachinery DirectiveMD2006/42/EC,EN8141andPartM,andwe’rehappy toadviseyouwithanyquestions youmayhaveaboutaccess requirements.

TheOptimum100-Theself supportingenclosedPlatformLift

� Glazingtoallfoursidesifrequired � Specialcoloursavailable � Uses75%lessenergythanothertypes � Footprint-1250mmx1560mm � Platformsize-1120mmx1480mm � EN8141andMachineryDirectivecompliant � Market leadingwarrantyperiod Pleasecallusforachat,wehavearange ofplatformliftstosuityourrequirements. Tel: 08450068803 Email: sales@abilitylifts.co.uk Web: www.abilitylifts.co.uk

Fresh ideas for Interior Doors in 2020

www.vicaima.com

NEW ‘POCKET DOOR’ ADDED TO BRIO RANGE OF SLIDING DOOR HARDWARE

briouk.com

Brio has extended its established range of sliding door hardware with the new Brio Pocket Slide 80. Hidden from view once installed, the universally sized pocket door kit offers a flexible, simple-to-install solution for installers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), while reducing cost and valuable inventory space for architectural ironmongers (AIs) and builders merchants.

As the only universal fitting kit, the Brio Pocket Slide 80 can cover installation widths ranging from 600 to 1000mm. Simple, efficient and customisable, the kit is easy to assemble and can be fit by a single installer – reducing time, inventory and labour costs for those working on new build projects and extensions.

Included in the pack is an adjustable stopper, forward and back spacer, a stylish black anodised track and wheels with narrow channels for a stable slide of the door. With a quality multilayer wooden beam, the Brio Pocket Slide 80 also absorbs vibrations and noise, making it the perfect fit for en-suite bathrooms. David Newton, general manager at Brio UK comments:

“The pocket door market is one of the largest door hardware markets in the UK, so it’s only logical for us to add this timeless and sleek product to our growing product portfolio.

“Designed with ease of use and practicality in mind, the biggest advantage of the Brio pocket door kit is its universal size. As a ‘one-size-fitsall’ product, it removes the headache of choosing the right-sized solution for a project – making the installation process even easier for installers, building contractors and OEMs. The customisable size also reduces the need for AIs and builders merchants to stock various sizes, helping decrease cost and extend inventory space.”

The Brio Pocket Slide 80 is a certified product and has been put through 100,000 slide cycles as per EN 1527, giving users the peace of mind that this is a sliding door made to last. video has been produced to assist with the installation of the product, which users can view online.

Brio, part of the Allegion family of brands, is an acknowledged global leader in the sliding and folding door industry. For more details on Brio sliding and folding door hardware, visit the website: briouk.com

P C Henderson Donates Hardware to Assist School Rebuild in Nepal

Sliding and folding door hardware manufacturer, P C Henderson, has recently donated materials to help with the rebuild of a primary school in Nepal after it was left devastated by an earthquake in 2015.

Situated on a picturesque mountainside, the village of San Bhorle was left in ruins when the 7.8Mw earthquake hit, levelling every one of its 43 houses and primary school. All but one resident survived, but the community was left to rebuild their lives with no materials, tools or machinery.

Learning Planet, a charity which helps remote communities design, finance and construct new schools, stepped in to help. As the only communal building in the village - and the only one which would have permanent power and internet access - the local community required a school building which could also be used for other events such as village meetings and celebrations.

In order to achieve this level of flexibility, large bi-folding doors were needed in the centre of the building. This would allow the area to be used as a classroom when closed off or put to other uses when opened up. A folding partition wall was also to be installed in one of the classrooms, allowing teachers to create a private office space when necessary.

Justin Wickham, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Learning Planet, commented “I was looking for a really solid system which would work faultlessly in a very remote location, for years, with minimal maintenance. After some research, I got in touch with the team at P C Henderson. I was really moved when they offered to donate all of the hardware free of charge. It was extremely heartening to get such a positive response”.

P C Henderson’s Securefold system was identified as the best solution for the project. Carrying ten solid hardwood doors measuring 225cm high x 50cm wide - it was important that the system could comfortably cope with a heavy load - whilst still allowing for effortless and safe opening by adults and children.

“The Securefold system works beautifully for our requirements. We opted to install the doors in five sets of two – meaning they can be moved around in pairs to create gaps for fresh air, light and easy access. The doors can also be stacked completely clear of the opening – creating a huge, open, covered atrium – a perfect space for performances, and for hosting all kinds of village events.

“The installation went smoothly except for a snag when we realised the Securefold bolts were a centimetre too long. We couldn’t shorten the bolts, or make/buy other ones to fit. It looked like a deal breaker until our carpenter appeared with some washers he’d made from a flip flop! It worked a dream. In remote locations, we often rely on that kind of ingenuity, as standard materials just aren’t available”, continued Justin.

P C Henderson’s Husky Folding door hardware was also specified for the internal partition wall required in the classroom. With only a few small pieces of building work required to get the project completely finished, the school should hopefully be in full use in the near future.

Stephanie Lee, Marketing Manager at P C Henderson, commented “Each year P C Henderson commits to supporting charities on a local, national and international scale. We were delighted to support such a fantastic cause, it’s great to see how our hardware can be used to create flexible solutions which have a huge impact for local communities”.

www.pchenderson.com