There has been a surge in the numbers of local authorities and private developers installing powered platform lifts in tenanted accommodation for the benefit of less able residents and occupants.
One of the main providers of platform lifts for domestic use has been Invalifts of Atherstone, Warwickshire. According to space availability the models can be installed either inside the premises, usually by a stairway, or externally, usually at the rear of the building.
A recent external installation was carried out at Calverton, Nottingham, on behalf of a local borough council in Nottinghamshire. The MC 2000 platform lift model installed by Invalifts replaced an existing through floor lift that took up valuable floor space in both the lounge and the bedroom.
What the council required was a conservatory style lobby on the ground floor with a platform lift on the outside wall with the upper level entrance directly into the bedroom. The council chose Invalifts because it was the only company that could provide a fully weatherproofed and secure purpose made external shaft that was fully sealed to the building.
A steel structure, made from a substantial rectangular hollow section, was constructed and anchored into a concrete plinth adjacent to the wall where the access was required. The structure was also attached to the building and then clad in insulated micro rib Kingspan in order to create a guaranteed weatherproof enclosure. The builder for the project provided the concrete plinth and internal door openings and installed a power supply.
The platform lift has a travel of 2.7m covering two floors with double panel glass doors that are manual with a self closer and all finished in powder coat white. A telephone was also installed.
Over the past seven years Invalifts has installed hundreds of platform lifts in many different locations, including a double decker bus. The units can serve up to six floor levels to a maximum height of 13m. Visit the company’s website at www.invalifts.com or telephone 0845 468 2543.
