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adam2 · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 12:59 pm Post subject: Paternoster lifts

Leicester university propose to scrap one of the UKs very few remaining working paternoster lifts.
Regrettable in my view, such machines use little energy per passenger and shift large numbers quickly.

They have gradually fallen victim to modern safety standards, and increasingly the lack of replacement parts and engineers skilled in maintaining the machinery.

New installations were prohibited from the 1970s, though existing paternosters could remain in service.

They remain popular in parts of mainland Europe.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-42363360/paternoster-the-rare-lift-that-went-over-the-top
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woodburner · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 3796

They pose a significant hazard, and are near useless to the disabled, or even the slightly disabled. Bloody dangerous really.
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PS_RalphW · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 5414 Location: Cambridge

There was one in my chemistry dept. Quite frightening at first, it was fun and practical if you were able bodied and once you got used to it. Going over the top was banned, so of course we all did it - you were carried past the cog and chain which could have taken your arm off, right in front of you face. It was removed a few years later, reputedly after a fatal accident.

adam2 · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 2:54 pm Post subject:

Paternosters are indeed unsuitable for the disabled, they were intended as a cheap to run and simple means of shifting large numbers of able bodied in multi storey buildings.
I think that a major hospital still has one, but for staff use only.

A variety of foolish pranks may be played, including going over the top, and descending past the upper floor whilst performing a handstand, to give the impression that going over the top inverts one.

Rather a pity that an energy efficient technology is being abandoned in favour of one that uses more energy.
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woodburner · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 3796

But poses a lower risk and consumes fewer limbs.
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To become an extremist, hang around with people you agree with. Cass Sunstein