Stannah passenger/goods lifts remaster access and goods movement in massive regeneration of EMI’s The Old Vinyl Factory

A triplex of customised Stannah lifts are delivering vital office access and goods movement in the Record Store, an Art Deco, former record-pressing factory and part of the £250m regeneration of The Old Vinyl Factory, erstwhile home of record label EMI, located in Hayes, West London. Think Pink Floyd, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones… that’s some heritage to live up to, but the traction, 21-person passenger/goods lift and two 13-person passenger-only lifts are on point, delivering easy people-access and movement of supplies between six floors (21.75m) in this landmark building designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners and recently reimagined into 84,705 sq. ft of high-end office space. The triplex operates in wall-mounted shafts in the spacious lift lobby, an integral part of the compact, central core. Their design supports an efficient blueprint that also minimises the structural impact on the building. This core also doubles as a fire-fighting shaft, comprising a firefighting stair, mechanically ventilated firefighting lobby and a firefighting lift – one of the 13-person passenger lifts. All three lifts are finished in satin stainless steel throughout with an overall image that is simple, neutral and robust. They have design and function features in common such as: Ceilings: white painted steel sheet Floors: rubber sheet to complement the lift lobbies Motor cabinets: located conveniently to the exterior side of each lift. Car operating panels: feature verticals in hot orange Silver, half-height mirrors: to rear wall, reflecting light and space Triplex lift controls: allow all three lifts to be in service for passengers and for the service lift function to be called independently for goods deliveries Autodialler: for passenger-reassurance – an automatic phone call system for use in emergencies, installed in accordance with the Health and Safety regulation changes of 1999. Compliance with all safety standards and regulations: inc. EN81-70 for optimum health and safety; Health and Safety at Work Act 1974; EN81; BS7255; BS5588 (where applicable); BS8300; The Lift Regulations; Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998; and The Machinery Regulations and good working practice The 1600kg, heavy duty passenger/goods lift also offers the added benefit of a VIP button for priority usage, and low-level bump rails for added protection when shifting awkward/heavy trolley-loads. An important design feature is the custom graphics that link past and present to visually illustrate the building’s musical pedigree. Laura Manzotti, Marketing Manager at developer, U+I, comments: “The Old Vinyl Factory is evolving in to a one-of-a-kind neighbourhood comprising 18 acres of offices, new homes, innovation and educational hubs, restaurants, shops, gym, cinema and a live music venue. The Stannah lifts ensure that people of all mobilities enjoy democratic access throughout the Record Store’s vast, open-plan, light-saturated floors. Importantly, the eye-catching, informative graphics also pay homage to the development’s unique roots.” The triplex also ensures that the premises’ owners comply with the Equality Act 2010, with the added benefit of six lift maintenance visits in the first year – part of a lift-servicing plan delivered by London and the South East (Dartford) branch of Stannah Lift Services, a nationwide network providing 24/7, year-round lift servicing and support. Stannah worked as part of a multidisciplinary team that included developers, U+I, contractor, Charles Edward, and architects, Studio Egret West, to create 21st-century access and goods movement in an early 20th-century building, for the foreseeable future.

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