The Yeomanry Close retirement housing facility on Priory Road, Warwick, now boasts a modernised passenger lift as part of a comprehensive refurbishment plan with Warwick District Council aimed at enhancing the safety and reliability of lift systems across their buildings. With the original lift system dating back to 1984, the infrastructure had aged significantly, necessitating upgrades to meet current fire safety, accessibility and operational regulations. The new lift system by Stannah not only meets these standards but also includes features that ensure a safer, more accessible and comfortable experience for Yeomanry Close residents, supporting their mobility and independence. The client Originally built in 1984, Yeomanry Close is a retirement housing facility managed by Warwick District Council. The building consists of 31 one-bedroom flats and offers a wide range of services and amenities to support its elderly residents. Key facilities include lifts, stair lifts, laundry services, landscaped gardens, activities room, hairdressing salon, library and more. The entire site is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that residents can move freely and comfortably throughout the building. The project, awarded directly to Stannah Lifts in partnership with Seddons and Warwick District Council (WDC), involved a complete refurbishment of the building’s outdated lift system. In collaboration with Seddons, the client was involved in selecting lift car interiors that would meet both functional needs and design preferences, ensuring the refurbished lift would enhance overall performance. The work The original lifts at Yeomanry Close had seen minimal updates since the building’s construction, gradually becoming outdated in both function and safety standards. As the building entered a phase of broader refurbishment, managed by Seddons, it became clear that the lifts no longer met the updated fire safety policies for the site and required substantial improvements. This highlighted the need for a full lift refurbishment to comply with modern regulations and ensure the safety of the building’s residents. It was determined that a complete refurbishment would be more cost-effective than a partial lift upgrade and better suited to ensuring compliance with fire safety and accessibility standards. Additionally, the new lift system would seamlessly integrate with other modernisations in the building, contributing to a cohesive upgrade throughout. This comprehensive approach created a secure and accessible environment for all residents, future-proofing the facility’s infrastructure for years to come. The challenges Refurbishing the lift system presented several challenges, primarily due to the need to work within a live environment where residents continued to occupy the building. Coordinating with other stakeholders required close communication and scheduling to minimise disruption and ensure the comfort and safety of residents. Working alongside multiple teams required careful planning to avoid conflicts in timing, workspace usage and access. Stannah collaborated closely with all stakeholders, including Warwick District Council and on-site contractors, to ensure that the project remained on schedule and within budget. The solution Stannah proposed a comprehensive lift refurbishment solution that addressed both aesthetic and safety concerns while fully aligning with current regulatory standards. The refurbishment included a complete interior upgrade, which the client helped to choose, ensuring the new design reflected the building’s aesthetic vision. As part of the safety upgrades, robust, fire-rated doors were installed and the lifts were brought up to BS EN 81-73 fire safety standards, enabling reliable emergency recall in case of a fire. Additionally, the lift alarm systems were upgraded to meet BS EN 81-28 standards, ensuring that emergency communication systems were dependable and fully compliant. Given the needs of elderly residents and the commitment to maintaining full wheelchair access through the building, accessibility was a central focus of the refurbishment. The lifts were updated to meet BS EN 81-70 standards, which include enhanced control panels, clear signage and other accessibility features designed to support ease of use for all residents. The result The newly refurbished lift system at Yeomanry Close now offers step-free access across all three floors, enabling residents to move safely and freely throughout the building. The lift’s car finishes were carefully chosen to complement the sophisticated interior design with lower linen wall panels and white-panelled upper walls. The existing exterior architraves were wrapped to seamlessly blend with the surrounding decor to create a sleek and cohesive look. Overall, the entire refurbishment adheres to the standards specified in BS EN 8486-2, which governs the safe and efficient operation of lifts in residential buildings. By choosing a full refurbishment over a partial upgrade, Stannah Lifts achieved a cost-effective solution designed to meet the building’s long-term functional and aesthetic needs that are now in line with current fire safety and accessibility regulations, significantly improving overall living at Yeomanry Close. Andy Miller, Branch Manager at the Stannah West Midlands & Mid Wales branch said: “We’re proud to have worked with Warwick District Council again, helping to improve their lift systems for the safety of their residents and the efficiency of their buildings. This partnership reflects our commitment to enhancing accessibility and ensuring that all community members can move freely and safely within their environments.” Martyn Stacey from Warwick District Council said: “We’ve worked with Stannah on multiple of our residential developments and it’s been a pleasure working with them again. Their dedication to enhancing accessibility and lift performance demonstrates a genuine commitment to improving residents’ quality of life. Thanks for a great refurbishment, it’s been a pleasure working with you.” www.stannahlifts.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
