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An Essential Guide
to Lifting Platforms
ohn McSweeney, Sales and various levels within a building. They can be
J
Marketing Director for Terry installed in public or commercial buildings and
Lifts, guides us through an are safe and convenient to use. Business users are able to travel between floors smoothly
essential guide to the world of owners may be concerned that a lift that meets and safely and are backed up by a number of
lifting platforms, an essential the requirements of the DDA will be very features including emergency release in the
element of disabled access. expensive, however, the cost is very reasonable. event of a power failure.
Lifting platforms have been commercially There are a variety of product solutions that are
available since the middle of the last century; aesthetically pleasing and come in a choice of Portable Platform Lifts
however it was the 1995 Disability colours, materials and styles. This is a flexible solution where temporary
Discrimination Act that set the current wheelchair access is required to stages or
benchmark for the industry. The act was Open Platform Lifts mezzanine levels in schools, theatres, village halls
implemented to help improve the lives of For interior or exterior lifting heights of up to etc. These self-contained units can be quickly
disabled people in the UK. The DDA focuses 2 metres, open platform lifts are the most moved into position. The lift simply plugs into an
on all aspects of their life including improving common solution. They are available in the existing power point, or for short periods of use,
standards and equal access to health care, latest and most durable materials and these lifts built-in batteries can operate the lift. It can then
transportation, education and employment. fit well into both domestic or public access be folded up for transportation to a storage
The act demands that any establishment that is applications. They are often cheaper and easier cupboard or room.
open to the public must not discriminate to install than a traditional ramp or fully enclosed
against disabled people; any person with a platform lift, and are less obtrusive due to the Wheelchair Platform Stairlifts
physical or mental impairment, in any way that open nature of the design. The builders work Designed for use by wheelchair users who need
contradicts the Government issued Code of involved is also minimal, therefore keeping the access up straight or curved staircases,
Practice. This includes people in wheelchairs, overall project cost down. wheelchair platform stairlifts can be fitted directly
deaf people, partially sighted and blind people, to a wall or supported on stanchion posts fixed to
or people with arthritis. Enclosed Platform Lifts the stair treads. The user can operate the lift
In October 2004, Part 3 of the Act was For interior or exterior travel heights between independently, because the barrier arms and
implemented. The goal was to ensure that 2 and 9 metres, enclosed platform lifts are ramps are powered.
everyone, including the disabled, had required. They are a cost effective alternative to When the lift is not in use, it can be folded up
convenient access to all public and commercial a passenger lift and require minimal builders and parked against the wall with a minimal depth
buildings in the UK. This required all work due to these lifts coming with their own of around 300m, so it won’t block up the staircase.
businesses or service providers to make structures, many of them self-supporting. The user can call the lift from either landing.
reasonable alterations to buildings so that There is no requirement for a traditional lift pit.
everyone can easily enter or exit. They are designed for ease of installation and As an industry we are justly proud of our
One easy way of meeting the requirements of come with modular composite or glazed panels. heritage and the hand that we have played in
the DDA is to provide a platform lift. These They are also often finished in a colour to developing innovative products, that truly enrich
innovative mechanisms transport individuals to match the surrounding environment. The lift the lives of many disabled people. 152
See inside back cover for Reader Enquiry Card or go online: www.adfonline.eu
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