CASP International

There are two types of Platform Lifts: vertical and inclined. They’re perfect for wheelchair users and people with mobility problems. Most Platform Lifts are permanent fixtures, but portable ones that are non-enclosed do exist, albeit with limited lifting ability.

Indoor and outdoor use of Platform Lifts

Platform Lifts are suitable for the home or in public buildings. They tend to be open platforms, hydraulic or screw driven and can be fully or partially enclosed. Some are available for outdoor use. 

Platform Lifts with minimal noise

With Platform Lifts, the lift operation is smooth running with minimal noise, which makes it ideal for home installation. A disabled wheelchair user can use it safely on their own without help, making them more independent. It is designed to accommodate a wheelchair, so there is no chance for a chair to tip either way while travelling in it. Most people with mobility problems can use a Platform Lift. It is a popular choice for the disabled and infirm because it is quick, easy and inexpensive to install.

Platform Lifts - so many BENEFITS:

• No expensive installation
• No large space required, just the minimum
• No extensive building work is needed
• No need to dig a pit to accommodate the lift
• No motor drive room is needed
• Runs on single phase power
• Completely self-contained
• Glass walls are an option
• Installation is easy and speedy
• Can be colour co-ordinated to fit home décor

A platform lift is a lift installed for use by disabled people, or wheelchair users. It is installed in locations where the only means of accessing another level is by using the stairs, and where it is impractical to install a passenger lift or other means of disabled transport. Platform lifts consist simply of a platform moving up and down between floors.

Many disabled people can use a staircase, but only with considerable difficulty. For them, a platform lift is a convenience, and can greatly increase their quality of life and ease of access to different floors. But for others such as wheelchair users, a staircase can simply mean that access is completely restricted, and these people are therefore unable to travel between floors. For them, a platform lift is a necessity. In an environment that cannot justify the installation of another method of between-floor transport, a platform lift can be the ideal solution. It is a government requirement that all public buildings have some form of disabled transport, so in many cases a platform lift is worth considering.

It is possible to have a platform lift installed that is temporary and can be moved, so as to limit the amount of obstruction a regular platform lift would cause. This can be ideal for a location that needs a disabled lift but has little space available. These lifts are well suited to their job, but cannot handle the same load as a permanent installation.

There are many factors to consider when installing a platform lift. A professional must visit the building and take precise measurements such as height and available ground space. An estimate must be made of expected average load, to make a lift that is strong enough to handle its everyday operation. Other aspects such as the controls and décor of the lift can also be customised to construct and install a lift that is unique to it’s surroundings, one that fits seamlessly and one that works smoothly and efficiently with as little requirement for maintenance as possible.

It is also possible to install additional safety features such as an external power supply that comes into action in the event of failure of normal power, and an emergency alarm button to allow a passenger to call for help in the event of an accident or lift failure. All these aspects must be carefully considered to create a lift that is perfectly suited to its location.