Stairlifts
more construction work than a home lift. One of the major advantages of a home lift is that it requires a much shallower pit of only 50mm. This is especially relevant when installing a lift into an existing property as it is relatively easy to excavate. This compares to a pit of up to 1.2m – 1.8m for an elevator. Installation of a home lift is also quicker, with the average installation time being approximately three to seven days, whereas an elevator lift can take up to six weeks. It is vital to ensure there is sufficient support, whether it is a metal or masonry shaft. Within a masonry shaft, there needs to be a load-bearing wall specifically where the guides will attach to the side of the lift to be able to support the weight of the lifting operation when in use. For a metal shaft, smaller models require a load-bearing wall for the lift to attach to. Alternatively, free-standing, self-supporting options are available. Internal home lifts are more popular, but, depending on the style and construction of the property, an external shaft might be the only option. While you may be concerned about how a home lift will look on the ground floor, it is also important to consider landing space/ headroom on the top floor, as you need to ensure there is enough room for the full lift, especially on the top floor, where there might be a slopped ceiling, for example. If this is an issue, the door height of the lift can be reduced. To comply with European regulations, a home lift can have no more than six stops and travels at a maximum seed of 0.15 meters per second, so to get from ground level to the fourth floor would take approximately one minute.
The importance of maintenance Once a stairlift or home lift has been installed in a care home, it is imperative that it is maintained to the highest standards. By regularly servicing a stairlift or home lift and carrying out regular checks and replacing any worn parts, you greatly reduce the risk of potential breakdowns and ensure the unit continues to operate smoothly and performing at its maximum capacity. With regards to how often a lift should be serviced, UK law requires a lift service or maintenance visit at least every six months if the installation is carrying passengers. However, if you are using the lift more frequently – as you would in a care home – you may need to service more often. Our business partners always advise their customers to take out a service contract, as this is a cost-effective option which also offers peace of mind as there is no chance of a service being missed.
It is crucial to understand the traffic within the building and times the lift will be used
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Depending on the design and width of the staircase, a straight or curved lift can normally be fitted. There is usually a way to accommodate even the most complex staircase which can be the case when installing one in an older care home. As the name suggests, a straight stairlift goes in a straight line so the chair will terminate over the top step, and by the bottom of the stairway. A straight stairlift is a lower cost solution and can also be fitted to a split staircase, but only if the user is able to move between two stairlifts. However, this is where you would probably recommend a curved stairlift, as the resident can remain seated for the full journey, meaning that the risk of falling when transferring between lifts is eliminated. A curved stairlift can be a solution on straight staircases, or on staircases that have one or multiple curves from top to bottom. Another feature worth considering is
whether the stairlift has a swivel seat. These allow the resident to safely exit the chair at the top on to the landing, and they can be manually operated, although automatic/ powered is the wiser choice. While the footplates are often fixed, some models will feature one that moves with the seat. A height adjustable seat is another option to consider, and it is important to explain to the user that this should be set slightly higher than they would imagine, as it is proven to be easier to get up (or down) from a seat as opposed to exiting a low sofa, for example, where you often have to lift yourself up. All these little things combine to make the process of using a stairlift as easy as possible.
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Alex Austin
Alex Austin is an experienced business development manager with a specialisation in platform lifts for the UK, Ireland, Benelux, and Nordics regions. He has been working with Access for over three years and is an expert in fostering strategic partnerships and driving business growth.
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com February 2024
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