|
"This elevator needs to be fixed!" The content of this page or section needs to be rewritten. Please help the Elevatorpedia by expanding it. |
|
Paternoster (or paternoster lift) is a passenger elevator which consists of a chain of open compartments (each usually designed for two persons) that move slowly in a loop up and down inside a building without stopping. Passengers can step on or off at any floor they like. The same technique is also used for filing cabinets to store great amounts of (paper) documents or for small spare parts.
Paternosters were popular throughout the first half of the 20th century as they could carry more passengers than ordinary elevators. They were more common in continental Europe, especially in public buildings, than in the United Kingdom. They are rather slow elevators, typically travelling at about 0.3 metre per second, thus improving the chances of getting on and off successfully.
History
The first paternoster was installed by an architect named Peter Ellis in Oriel Chambers of Liverpool in 1868.
Subsequently, built in 1884 by the Dartford, England, engineering firm of J & E Hall as the Cyclic Elevator, the name paternoster ("Our Father", the first two words of the Lord's Prayer in Latin) was originally applied to the device because the elevator is in the form of a loop and is thus similar to rosary beads used as an aid in reciting prayers.
In April 2006, Hitachi announced plans for a modern paternoster-style elevator with computer-controlled cars and normal elevator doors to alleviate safety concerns. A prototype has been revealed as of February 2013.[1]
Accidents and safety issues
The construction of new paternosters is no longer allowed in many countries because of the high risk of accidents, such as people tripping or falling over when trying to enter or exit. Five people were killed by paternosters from 1970 to 1993. An 81-year-old man was killed in 2012 when he fell into the shaft. Old people, disabled people, and children are the most in danger of being crushed. In 1989, the paternoster in Newcastle University's Claremont Tower was taken out of service after a passenger undertaking an up-and-over journey became caught in the drive chain, necessitating a rescue by the Fire Service. A conventional elevator was subsequently installed in its place. This accident led to an 18-month close-down of all UK paternosters for a safety review.
As a result of safety issues, many such paternosters have been shut down, however a small few survive around the world. The largest of these is located in the Arts Tower at the University of Sheffield, which also remains the tallest university-owned building in the United Kingdom.
Notable installations
- Newcastle University (Claremont Tower), United Kingdom[2]
- University of Sheffield (Arts Tower), United Kingdom
- Northwick Park Hospital, United Kingdom (1960s)[3]
- University of Essex (Albert Sloman library), United Kingdom[4]
