Manual to automatic lift door conversion: process and downtime
Converting manual swing doors to automatic doors is done floor by floor: the landing openings are surveyed and measured, the new door assemblies and car door operator are fabricated, then each landing is changed over, aligned and tested. Fuji International Elevator carries out door replacement and fire-rated door upgrades on existing lifts from its Abu Dhabi and Al Ain offices, keeping the lift out of service for the shortest workable period.
How the work runs
- Survey of the lift, landing openings and existing controller
- Measurement of every landing, as older buildings vary floor to floor
- Fabrication of car and landing door assemblies to the measured sizes
- Installation of the car door operator and controller interface
- Changeover floor by floor, then alignment, safety testing and handover
What affects downtime
- Number of landings to be converted
- Condition of the existing shaft fronts and sills
- Whether the controller can drive automatic doors or needs upgrading
- Building access hours and whether the lift is the only one in the building
- Any fire-rating or builder's works required at the openings
Often done at the same time
- Fire-rated landing doors where the building requires them
- Car operating panel and landing call station replacement
- Cabin interior refresh: panels, ceiling, lighting and flooring
- Controller modernisation for smoother starts and stops
Frequently asked questions
How long will the lift be out of service?
It depends on the number of landings and the condition of the openings. We confirm a realistic schedule after the survey, and where the building has a single lift we plan the changeover to keep out-of-service time as short as possible.
Can automatic doors be fitted without replacing the whole lift?
In most cases yes. The doors, operator and fixtures can be replaced while the existing structure and machine stay in place, provided the controller can drive automatic doors or is upgraded as part of the work.
Do you supply fire-rated landing doors?
Yes, fire-rated landing doors are part of our modernisation scope where the building requires them.
Planning a lift project?
Send us the building basics and our engineers will come back with a layout and a quotation.