Don’t let architectural
barriers stand in your way!
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Part M of the
Building Regulations aim to remove architectural barriers
and improve access for all. Facilities Managers therefore
need to consider how existing layouts can be modified to
meet these requirements. Sean O’Sullivan, Managing
Director of the Platform Lift Company discusses:
cilities for the Disabled/DDA
latform lifts carefully balance Regulations, a platform lift can be
F
a
P
aesthetics with functionality, installed almost anywhere as long it’s
whilst remaining cost-effective, deemed a reasonable adjustment.
enabling public buildings to In cases where creating disabled
become DDA compliant. access
Totally independent, The Platform Lift internally
Company’s freestanding Type A platform might not be
lift comes complete with its own one- possible, appearance. Toughened and laminated
hour fire rated shaft and can be installed in there is glazed panel sheets create an open design
just under a week without impacting on always the to provide an elegant and sophisticated
the structure of the building or causing option of experience for its users. Again, the Type
major disruption. installing a B platform lift requires no machine room
This ease of installation is due to the platform lift and can be easily installed.
fact that the platform lift can be erected externally, The Platform Lift Company has
by simply cutting a 50mm pit in the floor, provided extended their range to include the stylish
with no need for wall fixings. This means there is designs of the Italian platform lift and
that the installation leaves architectural space, and stairlift designers, Vimec. The E06 is a
features such as marble or glazed tiles that it vertical hydraulic platform lift that is
untouched which gives protected buildings doesn’t take adaptable and can be customized to fit any
the potential to achieve disability access up standing type of environment. The E06 has its own
for all. Bespoke designs can also be room at a fire exit point. self-supporting structure or can be
created to ensure the lift remains in The Type A platform lift has a limited installed into pre-existing shafts without
keeping with the existing architecture. speed of just 0.15m/s and is designed to having to carry out extensive building
Provided there is a 1500mm turning travel up 13m to reach multiple floors work. The superior appearance of this lift
circle in front of the lift and it’s not causing carrying a rated load of 400, 630 or is further enhanced by the option of six
an obstruction which might contravene fire 1000kg. For optimum safety within different colours for the cabins.
regulations and Part M of the Building environments such as schools and With this array of different finishes
colleges, this lift has a special including glass fronted doors and
mechanism to ensure platform lifts contemporary stainless steel, platform lifts
function and remain exclusive to their are literally breaking through the glass
users. ceiling with their sophisticated appearance
School control allows entry to only and superior engineering. As a result, all
authorized passengers. The platform buildings should be able to meet DDA
lift will automatically lock after use, requirements without compromising on
unless it’s activated by a swipe card, safety or design quality.
key pad or magnetic fob, again The Platform Lift Company is
ensuring that safety and security are continually investing in product
always maintained. development to close the gap between
Type A platform lifts can also be platform lifts and passenger lifts in a bid to
fire-rated, partially or fully glazed, so encourage more installations. For
that in an emergency they remain instance, the company is currently taking
impregnable. This protection has the attributes from a screw and nut lift
been recently enhanced with the and combining these with a cabin lift to
addition of a battery back up of produce an environmentally friendly
emergency power which guarantees product that can be fully glazed and able
that the lift will continue to operate in to fit into tighter spaces.
the event of a power cut. Removing architectural barriers to
For buildings that only have two enable more buildings to become DDA
levels, The Platform Lift Company has compliant is a challenge but with this
introduced a simple screw and nut progression in design coupled with ease
driven lifting platform. The Type B of installation to eliminate labour costs,
platform lift can be installed outdoors platform lifts are playing an integral part in
and indoors. Rising to a maximum of achieving access for all.
2 metres, the Type B fits well into For more information visit
most environments as it has a stylish
www.platformliftco.co.uk
22 feature :: facilities for the disabled/dda Building & Facilities Management – March 2009
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