Project Details
Introduction
At Hin Chong, we deliver targeted lift modernisation solutions that address the specific needs of each building and its users. This case study details our partial modernisation of a passenger lift at a light industrial building in Singapore, carried out for a long-standing customer of over 15 years.
The building owner had been experiencing increasing lift breakdowns, with components failing one after another. Given the lift's age of more than 25 years, the system was well past its optimal service life and replacement parts were no longer available from manufacturers. After a thorough assessment of the situation and the customer's budget considerations, we recommended a partial lift modernisation focusing on the control system, which addressed the root cause of the reliability issues without the cost of a full modernisation.
The Challenge
Problem
The passenger lift had been in service for over 25 years at the industrial building. Hin Chong had been maintaining the lift for over 15 of those years, building a strong service relationship with the customer based on trust and consistent performance.
Over time, the aging system developed a cascade of issues. Different components were starting to fail one by one, and breakdown frequency had increased noticeably. The situation was compounded by the fact that the lift components were obsolete - we could only replace faulty parts with second-hand leftover parts sourced from decommissioned units. This was neither sustainable nor reliable as a long-term maintenance strategy.
For the building owner, each breakdown meant operational disruptions to their daily activities. For building users, the unreliable lift created uncertainty and inconvenience. For Hin Chong, the situation was clear: the lift needed modernisation, and our extensive maintenance history with the system meant we understood exactly what needed to be addressed.
Solution
Given the customer's interest in managing costs while solving the core reliability problem, we recommended a partial lift modernisation rather than a full replacement. The driving system was still serviceable, but the control system - the source of most failures - needed complete renewal.
The partial modernisation scope covered:
- Controllers and Drive: New microprocessor-based control system and variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) drive
- Car Operating Panel (COP): Modernised car buttons and display indicators
- Hall Operating Panel (HOP): New landing buttons and floor indicators
- Display Indicators: Updated position and direction indicators throughout
- Wiring: Complete rewiring of the control circuits
This targeted approach addressed the components responsible for the majority of breakdowns while preserving the existing driving system that was still performing adequately.
Key Results and Outcomes
The project was completed in under three weeks from start to finish - a straightforward and efficient execution made possible by our deep familiarity with the lift system from over 15 years of maintenance.
Upon completion, the results were immediately apparent:
- Improved reliability: The new control system eliminated the component failures that had been causing recurring breakdowns
- Reduced breakdown frequency: With modern, readily available replacement parts, the lift operates with significantly fewer service interruptions
- Eliminated obsolescence: All control system components are now current-generation with full manufacturer support and spare parts availability
The passenger lift was back to running optimally, to the satisfaction of the customer.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates the value of a long-term maintenance relationship. Having maintained this lift for over 15 years, Hin Chong understood the system's history, its failure patterns, and the most cost-effective path to restoring reliable performance. A partial modernisation - rather than a full replacement - was the right recommendation for this customer, addressing the core issues while respecting budget constraints.
If your building is experiencing increasing lift breakdowns or dealing with obsolete components, contact Hin Chong for an assessment. We offer both partial and full modernisation solutions tailored to your building's specific needs and budget.
