GSA Courthouse Management Group
Mechanical Lift Analysis
Finish details at the platform and enclosure are currently adapted to field
conditions for incorporation of the successful bidder's product, instead of being
part of a comprehensive set of construction documents for bidding.
Until there is basic standardization of the platform size, this situation will
continue. Namely, finishes and details at the lift and enclosure will be adapted to
field conditions rather than integrated as part of the entire design concept and
included in the construction documents for bidding.
Codes and Standards
Code and standards requirements are based on major height differences
between the upper and lower landings.
The requirements outlined in the previous section, from all five applicable
regulatory standards are based on a "worst case" scenario where landings could be
a maximum of 12 ft apart in vertical distance. (In contrast, the average distance
between the courtroom well and the judge's bench was actually not greater than
24 in. at all installations visited.)
Service
Service and parts supplier are remotely located.
Maintenance departments at most installations were dependent on both service
and parts being supplied directly from the manufacturer, located thousands of
miles away, thereby causing significant delays in reactivating the lift.
Agency Requirements
(GSA/AOUSC)
There is a lack of comprehensive guidelines for design and installation of
system equipment that minimizes the impact of the lift and its components on
the design of the courtroom well.
The manufacturers of the cantilevered platform lift can provide access to the
operating mechanism from the back of the tower, outside of the courtroom, but
this concept was not utilized.
Section 3-3
HDR Architecture, Inc.
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