Accessibility Lifts

Tower Lifts Installs Accessibility Lifts

The requirement to provide disabled access in buildings has been written into law since the publication of the Equality Act 2010. The 3 main sources for guidance, when seeking to make a building accessible, are:

  • Equality Act
  • Part M
  • British Standards BS 8300

In this blog, Tower Lifts will look at the guidance provided in this documentation, and detail the range of accessibility lifts available for installation.

The Equality Act

The Equality Act requires that reasonable adjustments are made to a building in order to ensure that it can be accessed by a disabled person. If reasonable access is not provided, this amounts to discrimination. Owners of buildings providing lifts for the general public will need to be sure that these compliant with DDA requirements.

Part M

Part M states that the use of a passenger lift is the preferred option for disabled access. If this is not possible, due to architectural or spatial constraints, a platform lift is the next best option. A stairlift is considered to be the least best option and can only be approved in consultation with the fire service.

British Standards BS 8300

The BS 8300 standard is now separated into two parts. Part 1 considers the design of external environments in such a way to make them accessible. Part 2 looks at building entrances, facilities, reception areas and flow, horizontally, and vertically. In the latter part, guidance is given for designing buildings to be inclusive to all.

Accessibility Lifts From Tower Lifts

There’s plenty of ways to make your building more accessible, whether it’s a school environment, your home, or in a commercial setting. Tower Lifts has been designing and installing accessibility lifts for nearly two decades now. The most popular option is the ‘platform lift’ because it is designed specifically for passengers in wheelchairs.

5 Types of Accessibility Lift

1. Step Lift

This platform lift is also known as a low-rise lift, or a wheelchair lift. Step lifts offer vertical transport over distances of up to 3 metres. They lift people up short flights of stairs, or split-level flooring.

The benefits of installing a step lift include:

  • Internal or external installation.
  • Safe to use, and no need to leave wheelchair.
  • Designed to carry wheelchair and user.
  • Quick and easy to install.
  • Durable, high-performance technology.

2. Straight Inclined Lift

Stair lifts require the user to move from their wheelchair onto the device, and then back to their wheelchair when the journey is complete. Straight inclined lifts are designed to carry both user and their wheelchair up straight flights of stairs.

The benefits of installing a straight inclined lift include:

  • Safe and simple to use.
  • Designed for wheelchair and passenger.
  • The platform folds back when not in use, to allow for foot traffic.
  • Quick and easy to install.
  • High-performance, durable technology.

3. Curved Inclined Lift

Whilst a stair lift requires passengers to leave their wheelchairs in order to use it, the curved inclined lift accommodates both wheelchair and passenger. The lift will follow the curve of the stairs – we can even design for a spiral staircase.

The benefits of installing a curved inclined lift include:

  • The lift is designed to follow the architecture of the staircase.
  • Passengers travel in their wheelchairs.
  • Durable technology, designed for wheelchair users.
  • Platform folds back to allow for foot traffic when not in use.
  • Quick and easy to install.

4. Vertical Platform Lift

The vertical platform lift looks like a small passenger lift and can be installed internally or externally. It doesn’t require a lift shaft, and is easier to install, therefore. The cabin is designed to carry a wheelchair and user through up to 5 floors.

The benefits of installing a vertical platform lift include:

  • The modular structure makes it an adaptable technology.
  • If space is too limited internally, it can be fitted externally.
  • Simple and safe to use.
  • Quick and easy to install.
  • Wheelchair users can enter and exit easily.

5. DDA Compliant Passenger Lifts

To be DDA compliant, a passenger lift must be suitable for independent use by wheelchair users, as well as passengers with hearing or sight impairment. The guidance for DDA compliant lifts includes the height and positioning of the control panel, fully automatic doors, and the means of communication with the landing stages.

The benefits of creating a DDA compliant passenger lift include:

  • The lift can be used by wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users.
  • No need for an additional installation.
  • The DDA refurbishment is quick and easy to install.
  • The building is made more inclusive.

Working With Tower Lifts

Access has always been key to our vertical transport provision. The Tower Lifts team has more than 15 years’ experience of finding creative solutions, even in the most unpromising environments. In addition to the range of accessibility lifts documented in this blog, we also offer bespoke wheelchair lifts for environments such as heritage properties, museums, and theatres.

If you would like to find out more about installing an accessibility lift, call our team of specialists today on 01525 601099

Tower Lifts carry out design and installation on a varied range of lifts throughout the UK including:

Domestic Lifts • Food Lifts • Bespoke Platform Lifts • Service Lifts • Platform Lifts • Goods Lifts • Scenic Lifts • Heavy Duty / Car Lifts • Passenger Lifts • Dumbwaiter Lifts • MRL Lifts • Fire lifts • Residential Lifts • low-Headroom Lift