The passenger elevators have a capacity of 16 persons/1,250 kg while the service lifts have a capacity of 1,650 kg

The technology from Schindler is being used for new high-rise buildings in Kuwait, according to Sherif El-Yamani, the technical manager of the elevator department. It incorporates keypads on each floor where a passenger inputs his destination.

At the heart of the elevator technology is the Miconic 10 claimed to be the first system to successfully resolve the two fundamental uncertainties of group control when an elevator is called: How many people are behind the call, and, what is each passenger's destination.

El-Yamani explains: "Miconic 10 resolves these questions through a revolutionary interface and an advanced algorithm. Miconic 10's benefits include:

When using these elevators, the passenger at the lobby or landing keys in his destination floor on a familiar telephone-style keypad, which has replaced the customary Up and Down call buttons. Immediately, his destination is confirmed, a car is assigned and the car identity shown on the display. The assigned elevator will not depart before he steps in. While entering, he checks that his destination floor is lit on the indicator set in the car entrance.

Once inside, the doors close and the car moves off to his destination, the journey being completely automatic.

"Besides solving the problem of crowding of passengers, the system also helps to avoid nuisance calls where multiple destinations are keyed in by passengers on entering the lift," El-Yamani adds.

The elevators at Arraya Centre are monitored by LobbyVision, an integrated control centre which allows single-point supervision of multiple active systems within a building.

"It can be programmed, for example, for VIP calls. It also has diagnostic capabilities. Different levels of authority can be assigned, allowing installation engineers to change the configuration of the elevators, if required," says El-Yamani.

The lifts installed in the high-rise tower have a speed of 4 m/sec and are VVVF (variable voltage variable frequency) fully regulated gearless elevators.

The elevators include a number of safety features, he says. They can be operated even in the event of a fire and interface with the fire detection system.

"In the case where the landing is on fire, the lift will stop at a floor level which is safe," he says.

Another advantage of the system is that in the event of a power failure it can be operated using the standby generator, El-Yamani adds.

A high standard of special finishes selected by the architect will be utilised for the elevators for all areas of the complex apart from the hotel where the hotel operator Courtyard Marriott will select a wooden finish.

KCPC will also install four elevators - two passenger and two freight lifts - in the convention centre and six elevators in the car-park. The freight elevators are large enough to accommodate an electric forklift, he comments.

Established in 1979, KCPC is a major player in construction and civil engineering in Kuwait and a market leader in many of its operational fields.

Its activities include building and civil engineering, roads and drainage, sewage pipeline maintenance, electrical and waterproofing. Besides supply and installation of elevators, escalators and walkalators, the company also has wide experience in the installation and maintenance of water treatment plant for potable water, ready mix concrete and asphalt production units, and garage and equipment hire.

The elevator division enjoys a turnover of KD2 million ($6.73 million) per year and business has been steady over the recent past, says George.

Besides the Arraya Centre, KCPC is also installing elevators in the Burgan Bank and KNPC headquarters. The elevator division has an extensive portfolio of projects to its credit. These include cooperatives and supermarkets such as the Yarmouk, Salwa and Quortoba neighbourhood centres and Sultan centres in Jahra, Mangaf, Dhajeej, Sharq and Salmiya; hotels including the recently completed Hilton Resort, Safir International Hotel and Holiday Inn; embassies for Saudi Arabia and the US; public sector projects such as Kuwait International Airport, the Ministries Complex, Petrochemical Industries Commpany, Courts Complex and the Public Authority for Youth and Sports; commercial complexes such as the Salhia Tower and Salhia Complex; and numerous residential projects.