Project Overview:

1.Sproutand Co is a vibrant food retail outlet in the heart of CorkCity, the projectbriefrequired a vertical transport solution to streamline its internal operations andthe challenge was to connect two distinct functional areas:

• Upper Floor: Stockrooms and refrigerated storage.
• Lower Floor: High-traffic kitchen and customer service area.

To ensure efficient movement of ingredients and prepared goods while maintaining hygiene standards strictly, a bespoke 100 kg capacity dumbwaiter was commissioned.

2. Technical Specifications & Design

The lift was designed for heavy-duty commercial use with a focus on durability and fire safety:

• Construction: The lift was supplied with a compact galvanised steel shaft structure, which acts as the framework for the lift installation.
• Finish: The liftcar, landing doors, and machine room doors are all finished in high-grade stainless steel, providing a surface that is easy to sanitise and resistant to the rigours of a kitchen environment.
• Door Safety: To comply with the required building safety regulations, the landing doors are E120 fire-rated, providing up to 120 minutes of fire integrity.
• Protection: Bi-parting stainless steel car doors were integrated into the design. These ensure goods remain securely inside the car during transit, preventing spills and enhancing overall mechanical reliability.

3. Innovative Engineering: Bottom Drive System.

A primary architectural constraint was restricted headroom at the top floor, which prevented the installation of a standard top-mounted motor.

• The Solution:A bottom-drive configuration was implemented.
• Mechanism: The lift utilizes a drum drive motor positioned within the pit. This engineering choice allows the lift to operate with significantly reduced overhead space, making it ideal for the historical building structure typical of Cork city centre.

4. Key Benefits

• Operational Efficiency:Facilitates rapid restocking from refrigerated areas to the kitchen.
• Staff Safety: Reduced manual handlining, avoiding the need for employees to carry heavy crates or hot food on the stairs between floors.
• Space Optimisation:The bottom-drive system allowed for a full-service lift withoutrequiring expensive structural modifications to the roof or top-floor ceiling.