Is There a Stair Lift For Wheelchair Users?

Wheelchair Stair Lifts Offer the Perfect Access Solution

Stairlifts are a hugely popular access solution, but if you are a wheelchair user, they present a problem. Most stairlifts are made up of a motorised chair that travels on a rail. For wheelchair users, the transfer to the stairlift from a wheelchair is cumbersome and makes independent access impossible. In this article we look at an alternative solution; the platform stair lift for wheelchair users.

The Tower Lifts team works with platform lift technology to ensure that workplaces, residential homes and public environments are fully inclusive. For nearly two decades now, we’ve been designing and installing wheelchair lifts that guarantee inclusivity for all members of the public.

What is Platform Lift Technology?

The platform lift is innovative and flexible. It allows wheelchair lifts to be installed without needing a lift shaft. This means that platform lifts can be fitted in residential locations, schools, offices and in retail settings.

Platform lifts for wheelchairs are used to improve accessibility on buses, and they are installed in most art galleries, museums, and public access buildings. They have made a huge contribution to inclusivity across our commercial, social, and domestic landscape.

How Does a Stairlift for Wheelchair Users Work?

A platform stair lift is attached to the wall, or to stanchions. When required for use, the platform lowers allowing for a simple transfer from the floor to the lift. Safety rails lower into place and the lift carries its user to the top of the flight of stairs. When the lift is not in use, the platform folds back to allow for foot traffic access.

Tower Lifts installs two types of stair lift for wheelchair users:

1. Straight inclined wheelchair platform lift. This is designed to carry a passenger in a wheelchair up and down a straight flight of stairs. The motor for the lift is integrated into the unit, making the installation relatively simple. There is no need for a separate machine room.
2. Curved inclined wheelchair platform lift. The curved inclined lift follows the curved contours of the stairs. We are able to design platform lifts for virtually any type of stairs, including a spiral stairway. Lift control is either via pressure buttons on the lift unit, or a remote control.

A Quick Guide to the Stairway Platform Lift

Tower Lifts designs bespoke wheelchair lifts for stairs, but every installation shares the following specifications:

• Flexible Dimensions. We offer a range of widths and depths in order to accommodate the size of stair treads in homes, shops and public buildings.
• Load. The stairlift for wheelchair users can carry the combined weight of chair and user, up to 225kg.
• Speed of Travel. The stairlift for wheelchairs travels at a speed of 0.1 MPS.
• Safety Rails. These are stainless steel, lower automatically at start, and can be custom finished to match the surrounding décor.
• Gradient. The maximum gradient we can design for is 60o.
• Safety Sensors. Stairway platform lifts are fitted with safety sensors for obstruction awareness.
• Indoors or Outdoors. Our stairway platform lifts can be installed internally or externally.
• Installation. We can normally install curved or straight inclined platform lifts in 1-5 days.

Why Choose Tower Lifts for Platform Lifts?

Tower Lifts has been providing high-quality platform lifts since 2006. We have a reputation for innovative lift design, using platform lift technology, and for the engineering skills of our installation team.

Bespoke design and installation of platform stair lifts help the commercial sector to comply with Health & Safety and Manual Handing regulations. Tower Lifts is an ISO9001:2015 Lift Cert and UKAS approved company adhering to all current Lift Regulations.

Would you like to speak to a Tower Lifts engineer about a stairlift for wheelchair users? Call us today on 01525 601099.

The Tower Lifts team can design and install a range of lifts 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 Lifts