Stannah – doubling access in a £23million upgrade in BSF Kent school

26 May 2011

A duo of Stannah Maxilift M MRLi passenger lifts has made brand new educational facilities more accessible for staff, visitors and mobility compromised students at St George’s Church of England Foundation School, a mixed, 11 – 18 Business & Enterprise secondary school for 1,200 students in Broadstairs, Kent.

Part of a £23 million BSF initiative, the lifts have helped to open up state-of-the-art facilities and modern equipment in a brand new school building opened by the Bishop of Dover in 2010. One of the most popular schools in the region, this massive upgrade ensures St George’s C of E Foundation School continued growth as a centre of educational excellence.

A 13-person Stannah Maxilift M passenger lift provides access over two storeys in the new multi-functional atrium, or ‘heart’, area of the school; with a sister model operating between two floors in the technology area.

Main contractor, Kier Regional, specified the hydraulic, wall-mounted Maxilift M for its style and rugged reliability. The motor room-less MRLi option saves space by storing the hydraulic oil container in the lift pit with the controller located at ground-floor level, recessed into the lift shaft wall on the right-hand side of the lift, with a firewall behind it for added protection.

Both lifts can only be accessed by card-carrying staff and mobility compromised students which maximises school security and the appropriate use of the lifts. The card proximity units were also installed by Stannah as part of the contract.

Karl Reed, Quantity Surveyor at Kier Regional, comments: “Kier has used Stannah lifts on previous BSF projects so we know they will deliver a first class product and service. From initial enquiry through to technical support, installation, commissioning and comprehensive maintenance, Stannah’s performance has been excellent.”

Principal of St George’s C of E Foundation School, Kim Stoner, is also delighted with Stannah’s contribution: “Massive investment is helping us to maintain and develop the educational standards that have helped us rank as one of the 100 most improved schools nationally and in the top 10 for CVA throughout Kent. The Stannah Maxilifts are providing an invaluable support service, opening up the whole school for anyone with compromised mobility.”

The addition of two Stannah Maxilifts has helped take St George’s Church of England Foundation School into the 21st century, while also meeting the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

Both Maxilifts are serviced by the Dartford branch of Stannah Lift Services, a nationwide network providing 24 hour, 365 days a year support. This covers service, repair, modernisation and refurbishment of all types of lifts, stairlifts, escalators and moving walkways – not only those from the Stannah product range, but also other lift manufacturers’ equipment. Stannah also offers a bespoke lifts service, custom-building lifts to meet customers’ specific requirements.