Estates and Facilities Management service disruptions

Updates on current disruptions affecting Estates and Facilities Management (EFM) services in University buildings, upcoming works which will affect EFM services and recently resolved issues.

On

This page will only be updated during Helpdesk working hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm

Current Maintenance Issues

Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
17/07/2026Sir Frederick Mappin

Lift 1 (glass lift) is currently out of service. The lift contractor ANSA is waiting for parts.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
17/07/2026Florey

Lift 1 in 1225 Florey is currently out of service following a trapped passenger last night. ANSA are returning today to investigate.

Further updates will be provided when available.

Update 17/07/2026 12:45

Ansa have been back in this morning and there seems to be a fault with the back up UPS.
Because it is a safety issue, the lift has had to be left isolated.
Ansa are arranging for the UPS engineers to attend, but we don't yet have a timescale for this.
Once we know a timescale then this information will be passed on.
Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
16/07/2026Sir Robert Hadfield Building
Lift 1 is currently isolated and out of service following a fault.
There are parts currently on order and we will update you once we have a timescale from the contractor.
Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
09/07/2026Western Ban Library
Western Bank Library – Lift 3 (Goods Lift) Out of Service
 

Lift 3 (the goods lift) at Western Bank Library is currently out of service due to a lighting fault within the lift car.

Our lift contractor, ANSA, has attended and the necessary replacement parts are on order. We will provide a further update, including an estimated timescale for repair, as soon as this information is available.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience while the repair is completed.

Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
29/06/2026Richard Roberts (Chemistry)

Over the weekend there has been a major leak from E78 significantly impacting the areas below, corridors and stairwells. The water has been isolated to the equipment causing the leak however the team are on site making the area safe. The building is currently closed. 

Update: 29/06/26 16:00 - Work has continued throughout the day with drain holes being created in several bulkheads that were holding water back ; It will take some time for the walls/woodwork etc to fully dry out before redecoration can be considered.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available .

Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
27/05/2026The Diamond - Lift One
Lift 1 in the diamond is out of service until further notice. 
 
We apologise for any inconvenience. 

Upcoming Scheduled Maintenance

Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
13/07/2026Arts Tower

Monday 13th July – Paternoster Lift: Planned Insurance Inspection

The Paternoster lift will be out of service on Monday 13th July while it undergoes its scheduled bi-annual insurance inspection. This inspection is expected to take the majority of the day.

Lifts 1 and 2 will remain in operation as normal throughout.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience during this essential inspection.

 
Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
28/07/2026Arts Tower
ANSA will attend on 28th July to commence the door operator upgrade work for Lift 1.
 
Please note that during this period, only one lift will be worked on at a time each week. The remaining lift and the paternoster will remain fully operational. 
 

Recently Resolved Issues

Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
02/07/2026The Wave, Information Commons, Firth Court, 9 Mappin Regent Court and AMRC Site, Kroto, Sir Henry Stephenson, School of Clinical Dentistry, Chemistry Richard Roberts Building (East Wing), Alfred Denny Building, Arthur Willis Environment Centre, The Wave, Elmfield, GTIMC, Students Union (University House), Computer Building, Arts Tower

We are aware of an issue with access to some university buildings. 

Currently swipe cards are not working in the Wave, Information Commons, Firth Court, 9 Mappin, Regent Court and at the AMRC site. 

All other buildings should be accessible, but we are currently doing checks across the estate. Please let Security know if you are experiencing any problems at a building not listed above. This can be done via Safezone, calling 0114 222 4085 or email security@sheffield.ac.uk 

We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. We will keep you updated.

Update 02/07/2026 08:00

There remains no or limited access to some buildings. Please continue to check this web page with further information and updates: https://sheffield.ac.uk/incidents/current#access-to-university-buildings

Update 02/07/2026 08:27

Access should now be returning to normal across the estate. However, there may be some issues up until around 10am as access is restored.

Update 02/07/2026 13:00

Access issues are continuing at some buildings across the estate, beyond the timeframe previously indicated. Gough & Kelly are now investigating the fault with our swipe card system.

We apologise for the ongoing disruption and thank you for your patience.

We will provide a further update as soon as we have more information.

Update 02/07/2026 15:25

Access is now gradually returning to normal across the estate as the fault is resolved. Some buildings may still experience intermittent issues while access is fully restored.

Please continue to report any problems to the EFM Helpdesk, by calling 0114 222 9000, or by emailing E-mail efmhelpdesk@sheffield.ac.uk.

Thank you for your patience while this issue has been resolved. 

Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
01/07/2026Arts Tower 

The Paternoster has been withdrawn from service again following the identification of an additional fault yesterday, shortly after being reinstated.

 
Apologies for any inconvenience.
Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
29/06/2026Arts Tower Lift 1 in the Arts tower is out of service as it is stuck on Floor 6.
Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
02/06/20261203 The Arts Tower
Remedial repairs are required for the Paternoster lift, they are scheduled for next week - Tuesday 2nd & Wednesday 3rd June. The express lifts are available as an alternative. 
Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
18/06/2026Arts Tower
We have encountered an issue with the CCTV for the Paternoster, therefore it is unable to be monitored.
The fault has been reported and we will endeavour to have the lift back up and running soon.
Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
17/06/2026The Student Union - Lift Seven
Lift Seven (07) in the Students Union is currently out of service. The external contractor ANSA have been contacted and are progressing repairs . 
Start DateBuilding/area affectedDetails
01/06/2026Information Commons
Lift 1 has been taken out of service due to trapped passengers over the weekend. 
ANSA attended and are currently awaiting parts. 
 
Apologies for any inconvenience.