How to retrofit an elevator in an old house

The renovation of old houses with elevators has become an important project in urban renewal and renovation of old communities. On the one hand, most of the residents in old communities are elderly and disabled people with high floors, limited mobility, and inconvenient living. Installing elevators can improve their quality of life. On the other hand, old residential buildings have high density and few parking spaces. Installing elevators can increase the convenience of residents' travel and increase the value of the residence.

However, retrofitting an old house with an elevator is not an easy task. Old houses have strict structural protection and greater power load restrictions. The design of elevator installation must not only meet the needs of residents as much as possible, but also consider safety and durability issues, as well as the building's carrying capacity. Below we discuss the precautions for retrofitting elevators in old houses from eight aspects.

First, consult and declare to technical experts. The renovation of elevators in old buildings involves many professional fields. Applicants need to consult relevant departments for relevant laws, regulations and technical standards. They must have an experienced professional team to support the project. Experienced construction companies can provide professional advice on safety, design and other aspects.

Secondly, consider the target group who is using it. The renovation of elevators in old buildings is to serve the elderly and disabled people. Therefore, the elevators should be equipped with corresponding manual vertical operating devices, handrails, voice prompt systems, lighting facilities and other functions in accordance with national requirements. Pay attention to the different needs of different target groups to ensure that the elevator has comprehensive functions and stable performance.

Third, the feasibility of the elevator needs to be evaluated. The assessment process includes measuring the machine room and shaft, determining the location and dimensions of elevator components, and assessing whether the infrastructure will meet requirements. Measure the shaft wall thickness to ensure the safety and stability of the elevator installation.

Fourth, the power load needs to be considered. Older houses have smaller electrical load capacity. After an elevator is equipped, it requires additional power to operate properly. In terms of power supply, the power load should be appropriately increased according to the regulations of the power plant to meet the needs of the elevator.

Fifth, start cleaning up routes and decorating surrounding doors and windows. Elevator decoration requires a certain amount of space and passages, and the surrounding doors and windows need to be cleaned to allow elevator decoration workers to enter and exit quickly and reduce damage and the falling of metal dust.

Sixth, infrastructure issues must be addressed. Infrastructure issues are an issue faced by many older buildings. The traditional house structure may not be able to bear the weight of the elevator, so additional house structures are needed to ensure the safety and stability of the elevator. In addition, the infrastructure also includes elevator machine rooms, shafts, electrical control rooms, etc.

Seventh, safety issues must be considered. Safety issues are the top priority when retrofitting elevators in old buildings. Most cities have agencies responsible for elevator management, including annual elevator inspections and maintenance. Elevators should be installed on reliable structures and equipment just like elevators in new buildings. Install and debug in accordance with regulations and standards to ensure the safety and stability of the elevator.

Eighth, maintenance issues need to be planned. Installing an elevator in an old building is different from a new building. It will face aging problems and require regular repairs and maintenance. After the elevator is officially installed and put into use, a long-term contract is signed with the property management company or maintenance company to ensure the smooth operation of the elevator.

To sum up, the renovation of elevators in old houses is a project with many technical difficulties and requires professional teams from both parties to complete it. During the operation process, attention should be paid to the needs of residents and issues such as power load, infrastructure, safety, and maintenance should be considered to ensure the operation of the elevator and the improvement of residents' quality of life.