KONE References 2017: Urban Journeys

Jones . “It’s the leading edge of this kind of facility being built in Australia. When we came on board, there were 27 elevator shafts ready for us and they wanted to start installation soon.” Adding to the challenge was a demanding construction deadline that required having almost 50 technicians on site at any one time. Project administration was going to have to be absolutely on-point and incredibly to keep on top of all the potential variations. KONE’s decades of experience helped ensure that the team was in absolute control over all facets of the project. “THE SIZE AND THE EXPECTATIONS – we’ve had to grow or you get left behind,” Jones says of the experience. Through careful co-ordination and planning, KONE successfully installed an extensive list of solutions that helped the hospital meet its ambitious goal of achieving smooth people flow. This included no less than 41 elevators, including helipad lifts and a network of Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs), a novel feature that yielded rich rewards for the facility. “One AGV can replace the back-breaking labor of some one hundred employees,” explains Jones. The AGVs reliably cover up to 700km a day delivering up to 500 kilograms of supplies, food and equipment to different people across multiple stories. Not only does this cut hospital labor costs – imperative in a sector that is constantly battling to keep services accessible – but also, when designed and implemented well, helps create a more tranquil and less hectic experience. The South Australian government will finish paying off the NRAH in 2046, yet the quantum of savings achieved by installing the very best makes it an incredibly worthwhile investment. / “Our solutions are an integral part of the building, ensuring that the staff can focus 100% on patient care.” New Royal Adelaide Hospital – Australia 29