#1. OEM Decommissioning Requirement
KONE, Otis, Schindler, Mitsubishi, ThyssenKrupp and other major OEMs must formally decommission the lift before any structural works. This includes: isolating power at the motor room, removing brake controls, draining hydraulic lifts, and issuing a decommissioning certificate. Without the certificate, Civil Defence and Municipality will not approve demolition. OEM fee: AED 4,500–18,000 per lift.
#2. Pre-Demolition Survey
Survey covers: shaft dimensions, number of stops, lift type (traction, MRL, hydraulic), counterweight mass, motor room location (top or bottom), and condition of structural walls. The survey informs the method statement and crane/rigging requirements.
#3. Top-Down Demolition Sequence
(1) Remove cabin from top, dismantle on the roof or top floor. (2) Detach and lower counterweight in segments. (3) Cut guide rails in 2–3m sections from top, lower out. (4) Demolish shaft walls floor-by-floor from top, lowering debris through the shaft to a controlled landing point or via crane lift. (5) Demolish pit slab at base.
#4. Confined-Space Controls
Every entry into the shaft is a confined-space permit-to-work: continuous atmospheric monitoring, dedicated standby person, rescue plan, harness and fall-arrest, and limited exposure time. The standby person watches and controls entry/exit. Atmospheric risks include CO from cutting, dust accumulation, and oxygen depletion.
#5. Hydraulic Lift Fluid Disposal
Hydraulic lifts contain 80–400 litres of hydraulic oil in the cylinder reservoir. Oil must be drained, contained, and disposed of at a Dubai Municipality-licensed waste oil facility — never to drain or landfill. Cost: AED 800–2,400 per lift.
#6. Cost Benchmarks 2026
Single lift in low-rise building (G+3 stops): AED 18,000–32,000 including OEM decommissioning. Mid-rise (G+8 to G+15 stops): AED 35,000–75,000. High-rise (20+ stops): AED 85,000–180,000. Hydraulic lifts add 15–25% for fluid handling.
#7. Timeline
OEM scheduling: 2–4 weeks. Decommissioning: 2–5 days. Structural demolition: 1–3 weeks depending on number of stops. Total: 4–9 weeks.