Platform lifts can be an excellent option when improving access within new or existing buildings.
Platform lifts comply with the Machinery Directive instead of the Lift Directive. This is why a platform lift has a press-and-hold operation on the platform and is limited to a contract speed of 0.15m/x maximum. One of the major advantages of this type of lift is the reduced amount of building work required to install a platform lift. This saving in additional builder work makes a platform lift an excellent cost-effective solution to restricted access issues.
So, why should you install a platform lift? This article will tell you.
The types of platform lifts
There are several types of platform lifts, including step lifts, Wheelchair stairs platform lifts, and vertical platform lifts. They all work in different ways but have the same purposes.
- Step lifts
Also known as low-rise vertical platform lifts, these lifts can be installed beside steps to keep the stairs clear and still move the user to another level of the building. Most step lifts travel from 500mm up to around the 1200mm high mark but can be extended to travel up to a maximum of 3000mm from finished floor to floor.
- Inclined stair lift
Also known as wheelchair stairs lifts, inclined stair lifts are generally either wall or stanchion posts mounted to an existing flight of stairs. A wheelchair stair lift is designed to do exactly what it says, to carry wheelchairs and passengers between different floor levels.
A wheelchair stair lift is located on the staircase but when not in use, the stair lift folds away, leaving almost the full stair width clear. Wheelchair stair lifts can also be installed on staircases of 90 degrees or even 180 degrees, making them very flexible.
- Vertical platform lift
A vertical platform lift is generally designed to take a wheelchair passenger and attendant between different floor levels. But this type of platform lift is not restricted to only disabled access use. Today platform lifts are used by anyone who finds the stairs difficult to take. This more often than not includes mothers with buggies, people with light goods to carry, or just generally able-bodied people who just find taking many stairs between floors difficult.
The benefits of platform lifts
Platform lifts have many advantages that make them ideal for use across various sectors.
- Perfect to be installed into an existing building
As platform lifts have very minimal builder work requirements, they are perfect to install into an existing building. Where a traditional passenger lift would require a deep pit to be excavated, a platform lift can be fitted directly to the main floor with a minimal amount of excavation work or even with the addition of a ramp at the lower landing, saving any excavation work.
Some platform lifts are also free-standing so there is no requirement for a structural wall to be built or any requirement for a structural lift shaft, which is a major space and cost-saving in an existing building.
- Space
Space is always at a premium on any new build or an existing building but a platform lift installed into a commercial property will generally only require a clear installation space of approx 1500mm wide X 1600mm deep. The same commercial platform lift can be even smaller, require an installation space of only 1280mm wide X 1590mm long, and still have a DDA component or wheelchairs passenger and attendant.
What can Invalifts do for you?
Here at Invalifts, we offer an extensive range of vertical platform lifts for internal and external use. Whether for a school, church, hospital, or additional other sectors, we have a variety of suitable options. We can also provide servicing and maintenance of our platform lift to ensure every platform lift is fully supported after installation.
Contact us now to get in touch with our team and start your journey with Invalifts today.
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