Underground Lift Provides Access to the Basement of a Commercial Property

How can a basement be made accessible so that it can be used flexibly as a storage area in the future? This was one of the key questions during the modernisation of a commercial property. One essential requirement was that heavy loads also needed to be transported safely and easily between the outdoor area and the basement level. The existing pit presented particular challenges for the lift solution.

Loads of up to 1,500 kg needed to be transported reliably to the basement level. At the same time, the lift had to be integrated into the existing building structure.

The particular challenge was that the existing pit was deeper than required for the lift and was to remain structurally unchanged. The additional depth therefore had to be compensated for by the design of the lift system.

The future use of the building by different tenants also had to be taken into account. The lift needed to be easy to operate while also being protected against unauthorised use.

For this installation, we developed a custom-designed underground lift with a load capacity of 1,500 kg. The 1,570 × 2,020 mm platform provides a lifting height of 1,880 mm.

To compensate for the additional pit depth, the underground lift was designed with a raised base frame. This allowed the lift to be integrated precisely into the existing pit without requiring any structural modifications.

The canopy, which forms the top cover of the underground lift, was also adapted to the installation conditions. A front apron at the end of the canopy closes off the upper stop when the lift is fully lowered.

The location of the upper stop outdoors placed additional requirements on weather and corrosion protection. Pit edge protection with an integrated rainwater channel reduces the ingress of surface water into the lift pit. The platform structure and raised base frame are also hot-dip galvanised to protect them against corrosion.

For safe and controlled use, the lower stop is equipped with an electromechanically interlocked landing door. It is only unlocked when the underground lift is at the lower stop. The lift itself can be enabled using a profile cylinder, protecting it against unauthorised use.

The underground lift makes the basement usable as a storage area for different tenants. Heavy loads can be transported conveniently between the outdoor area and the basement.

Particularly important for the project, the existing pit did not need to be modified. The custom-designed lift structure enabled precise integration into the existing building conditions.

This provides tenants with a permanent solution for transporting goods to and from the basement – tailored to the existing building structure and the requirements of commercial use.