In-Shaft Goods & Personnel Hoists

At a Glance: A Southwell In-Shaft Goods & Personnel Hoist is a robust, custom-engineered vertical transport solution designed specifically for installation on site, including fire-rated building shafts. Designed and manufactured in Australia, these hoists fully comply with Australian Standards (AS1418.8) for the safe transport of authorised personnel and heavy cargo, accommodating lifting capacities up to 30,000 kg.

If your facility requires a dependable, cost-effective alternative to a traditional lift, Southwell provides the ideal solution. Built to streamline daily operations and minimise ongoing maintenance costs, our in-shaft hoists feature a larger platform area than standard goods lifts. This makes them perfect for bulky vertical transport applications, including self-storage facilities, multi-level warehouses, data centres, automotive dealerships, and back-of-house retail or residential bin movements.

Available in standard sizes or fully configurable to the width and depth of your specific shaft, our hoists are typically loaded via pallet jack, with forklift-rated options available. We build and rigorously test every unit in our Australian factory, ensuring it arrives at your site ready for rapid installation.

Key Operational Advantages

The Southwell engineering team designs every hoist to minimise downtime and maximise your operational footprint.

Customisable Lift Shafts: Choose from standard configurations or specify custom dimensions to match your building's exact requirements.

Intelligent PLC Controls: Built-in Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems include self-diagnostic features to maintain smooth, uninterrupted operations.

Heavy-Duty Lifting Mechanism: Driven by an Australian made telescopic hydraulic cylinder, the lifting infrastructure is engineered for exceptional reliability and longevity.

Safety Features & Australian Standard Compliance

Safety is the foundation of our engineering process. All Southwell hoists are design-registered with SafeWork and strictly comply with relevant Australian Standards.

Failsafe Emergency Lowering: In the event of a power failure, an integrated UPS system allows operators to safely lower the platform to the next lowest level and open the doors.

AS1418.8 Personnel Compliance: Combined goods and personnel hoists fully comply with AS1418.8 Parts 1 and 8 (Special Purpose Appliances). Operating devices align with BCA E3.6/AS1735.12, and electrical installations meet AS3000.

Built-in Emergency Comms: Personnel hoists feature a hands-free 4G GSM emergency contact system, with dual-SIM options available for facilities requiring network redundancy.

Heavy-Duty Classification (AS5246.1): Classified under AS5246.1 (Class A6), our hoists are structurally engineered for the heaviest workloads.

Customisation & Integration Options

Because every facility has unique architectural and operational demands, we offer extensive customisation to ensure seamless integration into your site.

BMS & Security Integration: We can seamlessly link the hoist to your existing Building Management Systems (BMS), CCTV networks, and Access Control readers.

Architectural Finishes: Select highly durable powder coating, aluminium chequer plate cladding (up to 1200 mm high), or request a bespoke interior design.

Flexible Door Configuration: While standard units feature electric aluminium roller shutters (non-fire rated) to maximise loading space, we also integrate swing doors, high-speed doors, or fully certified fire-rated steel shutters (-/60/- or -/120/-) on selected or all landings.

Slip-Resistant Flooring: The standard floor is a rugged steel chequer plate finished in "Rich Blue". Aluminium checker plate or vinyl tiles are available for less rugged environments.

Custom Threshold Ramps: If excavating a floor pit (minimum 130 mm for standard 1500kg, deeper pit required for higher capacity) is not structurally viable, we supply custom steel chequer plate threshold ramps for safe, compliant access at the lowest landing.

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Standard Technical Specifications

The table below highlights the standard parameters for our baseline models (e.g. SFGH-1515 to SFGH-3024).

Note: If your project requires heavy-duty capacities up to 30,000 kg, bespoke platform widths, or vertical travel greater than 10,000 mm, please contact our engineering team for custom specifications.

Specification	Standard Parameter
Lifting Capacity	1500 kg (Higher duties up to 30,000 kg available)
Maximum Vertical Travel	Up to 10,000 mm (Standard configuration, higher travels available subject to engineering review)
Standard Landings	Up to 3 landings (up to 6 possible via engineering review)
Lifting Speed	130 mm/s to 300 mm/s (Depending on motor size)
Power Requirements	415v, 3 phase (D curve breaker)
Pit Depth Required	Minimum 130 mm (or a 125 mm ramp if no pit is available)
Standard Headroom	3000 mm (For a 2400 mm platform height & travel up to 5800 mm)
Platform Height	2400 mm as standard, higher cabins available on request

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I install a freestanding hoist or an in-shaft hoist?

If your building does not require a fire-rated shaft and you have clear site access to the installation location, a freestanding hoist is often the most efficient solution. However, an in-shaft design is the best choice if building regulations require a fire-rated lift shaft, for larger hoists, or if access to the installation area is heavily restricted.

Do I need to build a fire-rated lift shaft for this hoist?

Only if fire rating is required. If a fire certification is not required or your site conditions enable a single or two-piece installation, consider our Freestanding Hoists as a faster, shaft-free alternative.

How long does installation take?

Once your site is prepared with the necessary power and access, standard systems require under 4 weeks for installation. Larger or non-standard in-shaft hoists may require extended installation timelines.

Are these hoists safe for people to ride?

Yes. You can select a dedicated goods hoist or a combined goods and personnel hoist. If authorised personnel will be riding, the hoist strictly complies with AS1418.8, BCA E3.6/AS1735.12, and includes a built-in hands-free 4G GSM emergency dialler.

What happens if the power goes out while the hoist is in use?

Safety is our top priority. Every hoist includes an integrated UPS system that allows for failsafe emergency lowering, automatically bringing the platform safely to the next lowest level to open the doors.

Does the hoist motor room need to be fire-rated?

Often, yes. If the control system and power pack are not installed directly inside the shaft, the separate motor room (often the size of a small cupboard) must meet AS3000 and local building fire codes. For larger platform sizes, we can frequently fit the controls inside the enclosure, eliminating the need for a separate motor room entirely. Our engineering team can consult with you to confirm your specific site requirements. Fire rating of the motor room is not part of Southwell’s scope.