Elevator and escalator manufacturer KONE Inc. announced the first North American installation of the company's JumpLift technology. The system is being implemented on the One Bloor project, Great Gulf’s flagship high-rise condominium under construction in Toronto.
KONE JumpLift, which has already been installed in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, China, and Australia, is an advanced, self-climbing elevator that operates during construction in a building’s permanent hoistway. JumpLift uses a mobile machine room that moves upward as the construction progresses.
The technology can improve safety and efficiency on job sites and can enable buildings to be completed months ahead of traditional construction timelines.
Great Gulf and KONE are collaborating on the project, which will deliver high-end retail and residential units in Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville area, and is expected to be completed in 2016.
The KONE JumpLift technology includes the following benefits:
• Less wait time: Operating at speeds up to 800 fpm (4m/s), five times faster than a traditional external hoist used in construction, KONE JumpLift is able to move construction workers to their floors in a faster, safer way.
• Safer transportation: With all transportation activities taking place inside in a dry and windproof shaft, construction workers can safely move throughout the building regardless of weather conditions, allowing building construction to proceed unhindered.
• Construction efficiency: Using the building’s permanent elevator hoistway for construction use, completed floors can be put into action while allowing the installation to continue above.
• Faster delivery: When the building structure is completed, changing over to the permanent elevator is a straightforward matter of installing the final machinery and finishing the material surfaces of the elevator car, landing doors and signalization.
“Great Gulf always looks for innovation in design and construction. One Bloor, recently recognized by the International Property Awards as the best hi-rise condominium in North America, is one of the most significant buildings being built in Toronto,” said Christopher Wein, President Great Gulf Residential. “The KONE JumpLift provides real value and this elevator technology will help the entire construction project to proceed more efficiently and safely for everyone working on site.”
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Theater Renovation—A First-Class Production
In 1985, the city of San Diego ordered the historic Balboa Theatre, its beleaguered performing arts center, to be shuttered due to seismic safety concerns. It would take another two decades to restore the landmark building.
| Aug 11, 2010
American Concrete Institute forms technical committee on BIM for concrete structures
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) announces the formation of a new technical committee on Building Information Modeling (BIM) of Concrete Structures.
| Aug 11, 2010
10 tips for mitigating influenza in buildings
Adopting simple, common-sense measures and proper maintenance protocols can help mitigate the spread of influenza in buildings. In addition, there are system upgrades that can be performed to further mitigate risks. Trane Commercial Systems offers 10 tips to consider during the cold and flu season.
| Aug 11, 2010
NAVFAC releases guidelines for sustainable reconstruction of Navy facilities
The guidelines provide specific guidance for installation commanders, assessment teams, estimators, programmers and building designers for identifying the sustainable opportunities, synergies, strategies, features and benefits for improving installations following a disaster instead of simply repairing or replacing them as they were prior to the disaster.
| Aug 11, 2010
Proposed EPA regulations threaten thousands of jobs, says Portland Cement Association
A proposed hazardous air pollutant regulation for the cement industry undermines the balance between environmental protection and economic viability, according to statements the Portland Cement Association (PCA) is issuing this week at a series of public hearings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Turner, Webcor, Hensel Phelps top BD+C's list of the 75 largest green contractors
With more than $3 billion in value of construction put in place for green buildings in 2008, Turner Construction tops BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s 75 largest green contractors, published as part of the Giants 300 report. Webcor Builders ($2.27 billion), Hensel Phelps Construction ($2.10 billion), The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. ($1.97 billion), and Clark Group ($1.89 billion) round out the top five.
