Statutory Inspections Certain items of plant and equipment are subject to periodic thorough examination and certification as part of meeting the requirements of statutory instruments. Not only do statutory inspections fulfil legal compliance, but also act as an invaluable 'early warning' system - protecting users and owners from the unthinkable, by providing details of potentially lethal defects in plenty of time to correct the fault. LECS (UK) have a matchless track history in providing cost-effective inspections to our clients. As in all that we do, empathy with our clients is of paramount importance, allowing us to offer out-of-hours inspections where taking equipment out of service could otherwise affect a company's effectiveness and profitability. Maintenance Audits The placement of maintenance contracts are part and parcel of a company's custodianship of its mechanical handling equipment. Premature wear and tear, followed by early replacement, can be avoided by being certain that maintenance schedules are being correctly implemented. The effect of avoidable failures can cripple a building. The cost in both time and money, efficiency and, potentially, loss of profits cannot be over emphasised. Within a retail environment, these damaging effects can be further exacerbated by tainting a company's reputation amongst its customers. Appointing LECS (UK) to undertake an independent maintenance audit offers the peace of mind of knowing that maintenance schedules are being followed to a satisfactory level, on time and to task. Acquisition & Condition Surveys Maintaining the value and effectiveness of expensive capital equipment is essential to all businesses. A detailed, objective survey of a lift, escalator and/or mechanical handling installation provides clients with the peace of mind rarely provided by a standard contractor's maintenance report or insurer's examination. Frequently, clients seek surveys prior to purchase or handover of an installation, prior to sale, to aid budget preparation, at cessation or break clause of a lease, or simply where advice and guidance is needed for repairs or modernisation. Naturally, we tailor our survey reports to an individual client's needs and circumstances, but typically we would include: • Terms of Reference • Schedule of Plant • Defects & Observations • Non compliance with Current Standards • Statutory & Legislative items • Maintenance Items • Budget costs for a predetermined period • Recommendations • Conclusion • Photographic evidence • Dilapidation Surveys We believe it essential, when representing either the landlord or a tenant, that a dilapidation survey presents an accurate position in relation to the terms of a lease. LECS (UK) ensures, therefore, that our engineers are familiar with standard leases and are fully able to offer impartial dilapidation surveys - including full Scotts schedules when required. Project Management LECS (UK) surpasses the competition in our provision of project management services. Appointing us to oversee new installations and modernisations ensures that projects are completed to specification, using quality equipment and the very best working practices. Our clients can select the level of project management they prefer from our list of modular services. • Initial Survey (modernisations) • Feasibility Study (new installations) • Traffic Analysis • Specification Preparation • Issue to Tender • Tender Analysis • Contractor Interviews • Off Site Manufacturing Witnessing and Certification • Site Visits and Meetings during installation • Certification of Accounts • Witnessing of Commissioning • Issuing of Defects List • Defects Liability Inspection Traffic Analysis Mistakes in quantifying likely use of lifts and escalators can be expensive. There is the obvious high cost and extreme difficulty in altering a building to install additional equipment after construction. The opposite to which is the unnecessary costs of over-engineering and installing too many lifts or escalators. But there is a more insidious problem that can arise. In the first instance, a building with too few lifts or escalators - unable to properly serve the building's population - will soon gain a reputation that directly affects its value. Conversely, a building with too many installations reduces net lettable space and can reduce the income value. From the very start, at the point of planning and specifying a new building or refurbishment, LECS (UK) can undertake a detailed assessment of a building's requirements, the likely traffic patterns within it and offer an advisory report accordingly. Risk Assessments Workplace accidents can be costly to both a company's finances and reputation. It is a statutory requirement that risk assessments are undertaken in potentially hazardous situations. To help avoid accidents, LECS (UK) engineers are trained to assess the risks and the probability or likelihood and severity of harm from a particular hazard occurring and what the consequences are likely to be. New Installation & Modernisation Specifications The importance of ensuring that a piece of mechanical handling equipment is suitable for its purpose goes without saying. Yet the importance of insisting that all invited contractors are offering tenders on an absolute like-for-like basis can be overlooked. In our view, it is essential that an installation is of sound and certain quality, and offers the lifespan required by the client. Alongside these considerations lies the importance of conforming to current standards and statutory legislation to prevent post-installation difficulties with insurers. Finally, a contractor's desire to present the best price can sometimes lead to the exclusion of minor items to present their bid in an even more favourable light. Unfortunately, missing these shortfalls early on can result in increased costs during or after installation. All of these pitfalls can be avoided by using LECS (UK) engineers to objectively advise on the best course of action to meet your requirements. Our 'without fear or favour' approach extends to offering alternative routes when it is appropriate. A programme of modernisation, for example, can often extend the life of existing equipment as well as being very cost-effective in comparison to complete replacement. Maintenance Specifications Contractors offer differing types of maintenance contract, covering routine maintenance for both new installations and modernisations. Some contracts will exclude specific items (such as ram seals, ropes etc, or Health & Safety Executive recommended inspections) making them appear comparatively inexpensive. However, when a failure occurs and the cost of replacement components is not covered as you might have believed, the extra unexpected costs can far outweigh any earlier savings. LECS (UK) can ensure that you avoid these costs by preparing a bespoke maintenance contract specifically for the installation you wish to cover, which is then implemented by your chosen maintenance provider. LECS (UK) can also provide clients with the additional facility of off-site maintenance monitoring. Our regular reporting structure will identify and highlight any imminent maintenance problems, which we can address directly with the maintenance contractor if required, and remind and advise you of upcoming inspection dates. Training Our knowledge and reputation is acknowledged via the training courses we present to industry and commerce; both privately and through educational establishments. Our experienced lecturers have supplied courses to major chartered engineering organisations, high street retailers, government bodies and insurers. We have also been appointed by the Mid Career College to present all its courses on lifts and escalators. As examples, the following are provided to building owners and managers: • Emergency Passenger Release Procedures • Statutory Requirements • Periodic Examinations As An In-house Undertaking And for consulting engineers and chartered surveyors: • Equipment Specification and Procurement • Statutory Requirements • Standards and Guidance Documents Naturally, should you wish us to tailor a course specific to your needs, we would be delighted to offer a proposal. Expert Witness Services Civil Claims Unfortunately legal claims arise periodically for example where there is a dispute over quality of workmanship, fitness for purpose, financial disagreement over a project account or in the event of a personal injury. Criminal Cases In some instances criminal proceedings occur where, for example, there are issues of negligence or failure to comply with statutory instruments. Generally our expert opinion will assist solicitors in bringing a case to conclusion before a trial is required. LECS (UK) have an excellent reputation for the professional and impartial advice that it provides and has acted as expert witnesses in numerous cases including fatal accident enquiries. All cases are handled directly by a Partner/Director. We have attended trials and given evidence at both County and Crown Courts in England, Scotland and Ireland. We hold the prestigious Law Society “checked and listed” status for our work in this area and one of our Directors is a Founder member of The Society of Expert Witnesses and was a co-author of a book entitled “Lift & escalator accident reconstruction and litigation” which has been cited in a number of cases. Instructing solicitors include: • A H Brooks & Co • Abbott Lloyd Howarth • Actons • Addleshaw Booth & Co • Antony Hodari & Co • Atkins, Wilson & Bell • Austins • Badhams Law • Badhams Thompson • Bhagwandeen • Bindman & Partners • Blatch & Co • Brachers • Bradshaws • Corporation of London Legal Department • David Garsed & Co • Davis Blank Furniss • Decherts • Everys • Ford & Warren • Frearsons • G L Hockfield & Co • Gallagher Bassett • Geoffrey Delaney & Co • George Coles & Co • Glasgow City Council Legal Department • Gowen & Stevens • Green & Rawlings • Griffith Smith • Hayton Winkley • Hayward Baker • Hennessey Bowie & Co • Hextall Erskine • Hill & Abbott • Hill Dickinson • Holden & Co • Ivor Evans & Benjamin • John Gormer • Kennedys • Laceys • Linklaters • London Borough of Southwark Legal Department • Maxwell Batley • Michael Taylor & Co • Miller Law • Montlake & Co • Moore & Blatch • Morgan Cole • Nelsons • Newsome Vaughan • Paris Smith & Randall • Radcliffes (France) • Seddons • Thomas Higgins • Thompsons • Turners • T V Edwards • Vizard Wyeth • W R Burrows • Willets Marsden Back to top

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