112 ACCESSIBILITY Access to the right options
Graham Mears at Stannah Lifts explains the different types of lift solutions designed for improving accessibility, and advises on the best options for a variety of scenarios.
residential settings with lower foot traffi c or where there is limited shaft space, pit depth or headroom. Platform lifts are designed to carry up to fi ve passengers and typically operate at speeds below 0.15 metres per second, with a maximum travel height of 12 metres. Regulated under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, platform lifts are particularly suited for people with reduced mobility, wheelchair users or those with pushchairs, offering a practical and accessible solution where a full passenger lift is not feasible. Machinery directive lifts (e.g. platform lifts) are effi cient for everyday use, but they are not intended for emergencies. In the event of a fi re, passenger lifts are programmed to automatically return to the main evacuation fl oor, open their doors and shut down, ensuring no one gets trapped inside. This safety feature aligns with BS EN 81-73:2020, which outlines safety protocols for lift operation during the event of a fi re.
Enhancing safety with evacuation lifts
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Planning for evacuation lifts must be incorporated into the building’s overall design
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Evacuation lifts are a type of passenger lift. They are specifi cally designed with enhanced control and safety features. Their primary purpose is to provide a safe means of escape for passengers, particularly those who may need assistance.
assenger lifts are the most common type of lift found in residential and commercial buildings, designed to handle frequent use while transporting people safely between fl oors. They operate under the Lifts Regulations 2016, which require a minimum travel speed of more than 0.15 m/s, and an average travel time of 18 seconds between fl oors.
These types of lifts are most suitable for new buildings, where constructing a lift shaft and pit can be planned from the outset, or in existing buildings that already have a shaft in place.
While passenger lifts are the preferred solution for most buildings, platform lifts offer a viable alternative in buildings and
These lifts include dedicated emergency power supplies to keep them operational during power outages. Planning for evacuation lifts must be incorporated into the building’s overall design at an early stage, so it’s defi nitely worth involving your chosen lift provider because of the additional lift design elements, and building elements, such as ensuring they are protected, fi re-safe waiting areas on each landing.
In an emergency, these lifts switch to a dedicated emergency mode and are controlled by trained building staff, a designated operator, or the fi re and rescue service. While their capacity starts from an eight person lift, larger models of 21
ADF APRIL/MAY 2026
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