Lift Modernisation Design Guide, 2nd Edition

Systematic approach to lift engineering provides on-the-job instruction and reference for all involved.

Roger E. Howkins’ Lift Modernisation Design Guide, 2nd Edition is intended to assist engineers, consultants, mechanics, surveyors and sales teams who are actively involved in lift modernization. The popular reference tool, originally published in 1998, has been through five printings. The new second edition has been revised to bring it up to date with the most modern concepts in modernization. Its new format of 6 X 8-1/2 in. with spiral binding makes its 236 pages easier to transport and use on jobsites. It is available at www.elevatorbooks. com.

The book is broken into three parts, separated by tabs. The heart of it is the first,

“Design Guide.” In it, Howkins covers guides and brackets, pits, drives, machines, wire ropes, cars, governors, counterweights, enclosures, door operators, doors, fixtures, control systems, remote monitoring, electrical wiring, machine rooms, hydraulic lifts, and more. Part II,

“Workstages,” includes explanations of preplanning, design limitations, planned modernization, system design, specification, tendering and contract awarding. The final section, “Project Notebook,” includes project data, observations, building occupation, and survey and inspection forms.

New additions include more emphasis on personal health and safety during surveys/inspections, terminology and safety-colors updates, and life expectancies of components/equipment. Additionally, the elevator traffic-analysis program has been changed to reflect ELEVATE Elevator Traffic Analysis and Simulation Software.

Howkins is an associate at Arup Vertical Transportation, where he consults on elevators.

Based in Colchester, U.K., he also specializes in new developments and upgrading of existing equipment on refurbishment projects. Prior to joining Arup, he worked in the U.K. lift industry and abroad. In addition to his general expertise, he is considered an authority on advanced control systems, traffic calculations and modern approaches to system design involving panoramic lifts. Howkins has been the engineer of record for elevator system designs on many major commercial, institutional, residential and healthcare projects.