Facilities Management Services Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

05/12/2024 Towering achievement The only way to the top of the Elizabeth Tower (home to Big Ben) was up 334 narrow, ancient steps from street level. The installation of two lifts as part of a major restoration project has proved transformational. Brian Wall investigates » Read More

05/12/2023 AI metrics for lifts A set of standardised metrics would be helpful for consultants and building management when considering an investment in AI, and for evaluating the efficacy of an installed AI system. However, some of the concepts common in lift industry ... » Read More

05/12/2023 Digital developments TK Elevator offers views about how digital elevators (lifts) transform buildings in a new report available via www.is.gd/ataduy » Read More

19/12/2022 On the rise - lift maintenance developments Technologically-powered connectivity via Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and devices is driving time, cost, and environmental changes in the lift industry » Read More

19/01/2022 Turning the apprentice ship around In the quest to breathe new life – and success – into apprenticeships across its sector, the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA) has appointed Karen Slade as its new head of end-point assessment. She speaks about what that ... » Read More

22/10/2021 Who does what? A SAFed guide to lift testing Revision of the SAFed LG01 Guidelines on the supplementary tests of in-service lifts prompted a joint webinar with LEIA on 19 March 2021 for lift managers and duty holders » Read More

10/06/2021 Lift-off for no-logo diagnostics A greater number of third parties are now accessing data for lift diagnostics, ending reliance on OEM maintenance contracts. By Steed Webzell » Read More

10/12/2020 Lifts: heat to power Lift drives that capture energy generated by the system can help reduce electricity bills, but the savings depend on the specific installation » Read More

12/12/2019 Elevated status As the operator of a tower crane, getting from the bottom to the top and vice versa takes considerable time and effort. Surely there is an easier way? » Read More

12/12/2019 All systems go People that manage lifts and escalators have different requirements to those that supply and maintain the equipment. Richard Peters and Jim Nickerson of Peters Research address the challenges of developing a lift and escalator management ... » Read More

05/12/2018 On the edge of tomorrow Sensors mounted in and around lift components provide data that can give early warning of potential problems. This speeds up the process of diagnosis and repair, helping to improve reliability and minimise downtime » Read More

10/08/2010 Uplifting engineering Modern lifts are taking advantage of recent electronic and electromechanical technology advances to improve efficiency and cut emissions. Brian Tinham examines the background » Read More

01/03/2010 Wasting away The Carbon Trust reckons that UK companies are still wasting €1 billion worth of energy per year, largely due to unresolved plant optimisation issues and inefficiencies in energy generation plant itself. Brian Wall reports on ways ... » Read More

01/04/2009 Uplifting experience SAFed (the Safety Assessment Federation) care' - which is why SAFed does recommend is still reporting 4.5% immediate defects to HSE after thorough examinations by its members. That's around 14,000 problems with lifts alone that are serious ... » Read More

01/04/2009 Lift wire rope corrosion Under instruction, and on making almost my first thorough examinations of lifts, I recall how my instructors stressed the importance of looking for ?rouging' between the strands of the wire ropes. Research soon showed that rouging was the ... » Read More

01/02/2009 Lift ropes and lubrication When it comes to steel wire ropes for lifts and elevators, getting lubrication and maintenance right couldn't be much more critical. At the most basic level, all such ropes must be periodically checked for equal tensions, as well as for ... » Read More

01/08/2008 Greener world Most plants have already implemented a wide range of energy-related programmes - from switch-off campaigns to intelligent production scheduling at lower time-tariffs; and from installing energy-efficient equipment to improving maintenance ... » Read More

01/04/2007 Prevention or cure Inadequately designed and/or poorly maintained car transporters and tipping trailers are presenting increasing and potentially serious risks to drivers and operators. And they're not alone: there also remain worries with lifts and ... » Read More