When installing a wheelchair lift, either by retrofitting into established premises, or commissioning for a new building, not only is it necessary to have sufficient space to cover the footprint of the lift and its shaft, it is also essential to have enough space left over to accommodated the lift pit below, headroom above and space for a machine room to drive the mechanisms.
Finding the space required to accommodate these can create significant problems, quite often there simply isn't the significant depth required beneath the lower floor, especially where theres no physical space to dig downwards without compromising your neighbours ceiling. This can be particularly problematic if the lift is to be fitted between mezzanine levels of a first floor shop in a shopping centre, if disabled access is required between duplex floors in a modern flat, or to comply with Equality Act (EA) regulations by providing access to multi-floored business premises within an office block.
Fortunately it is now possible to install a large range of fully customisable platform lifts, ranging from basic platform step lifts like the A2 platform lift to the more traditional Leonardo traction lift that require significantly less headroom and virtually eliminate the need for a pit or machine room. For example, by using a Platform lift where a pit depth of just 100mm is required, it is possible to install a ramp which completely eliminates the need for a pit altogether.
As this technology isnt just limited to small wheelchair step lifts; it is also possible to install a complete hydraulic passenger or goods lift, capable of carrying up to 500 Kg, with just a 200mm pit. Many lift solutions are available with self supporting lift shafts, minimal headroom and no requirement for a machine room and all within Part M of the Buildings Regulations and Machinery directive 2006/42/EC.
This means its now simpler than ever to add wheelchair access to your home or business, or upgrade your existing lift facilities to free up additional space. It also gives a greater design freedom to architects and specifiers by providing lift facilities with a greater economy of space and an increased level of individual customisation that can be easily adjusted to fulfil their vision.
As this technology continues to improve and the process of installing new disabled access lifts becomes simpler and cheaper, the more likely it is that they will be seen as a perfectly reasonable access solution under the EA regulations. Their future is definitely going up.