Lift Engineering and Construction Industry

Sean Rutger asked:


For users of electric mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs, accessibility is very important. Uneven surfaces such as exterior entrances to the home can create a barrier that a wheelchair or electric scooter user cannot cross. Some homes (particularly older homes or homes that have been remodeled) have other doorjambs or uneven floor levels that require a step as you are going from one part of the house to another. Of course, many homes also have stairways that aren’t negotiable for wheelchair or mobility scooter users. Beyond the home, there are other parts of the property that cannot be traversed by a wheelchair or mobility user. Going from an exterior porch to the ground level and back is a common problem, as well as negotiating a street curb. Furthermore, when wheelchair users go out, they also need a way to conveniently load their wheelchair or scooter into the vehicle.

Fortunately, modern accessibility options exist that can solve any or all of the above problems. If you use an electric wheelchair or a mobility scooter to get around, you can make your property completely accessible by installing wheelchair ramps and lifts. Ramps are more appropriate for the lesser inconveniences about the grounds, such as external doorways, protruding doorjambs, and single steps. These are commonly known as threshold ramps. Lifts are necessary for the bigger tasks of traversing amongst the different stories of the home, getting to the ground level from an outside porch, and loading the wheelchair or scooter into your vehicle.

Wheelchair ramps are far less expensive than lifts and should be used wherever possible. If you have a small stairway that can be covered by a 5′ ramp, you will save money by opting for the ramp. You’ll also save time, because wheelchair lifts generally move slowly. Of course, you should make sure that you’re buying a quality wheelchair ramp. It may be tempting to save even more money by purchasing a less expensive ramp that isn’t intended for wheelchair users. Wheelchair ramps are very sturdy, and they’re specially designed to remain in place. You will be safe by using a wheelchair ramp as long as the angle isn’t too high. Your safety will be jeopardized if you attempt to use anything other than a real wheelchair ramp.

Wheelchair and scooter lifts are necessary for getting from one floor to another, getting up or down from an exterior porch, and loading the wheelchair or scooter into your vehicle. Lifts are more expensive than ramps, but they’re a good investment when they can provide accessibility all over the home. Most platform lifts move vertically, and can be installed to allow you access to an outdoor porch or other stories in your home. In situations where the stairway is the only way between stories, an inclined platform lift is your best bet. Also, when you go out, you need a lift that will allow you to load your scooter or wheelchair into the vehicle.

These are several ways to make your surroundings more accessible if you use a wheelchair or mobility scooter. By using these methods, your home and its immediate surroundings will become a much more comfortable place.



platform lifts

Jesse Hancock asked:


There are many different tasks that require working at a height , things like cutting down trees and replacing lights make it necessary to climb ladders. The problem with ladders is that they are difficult to climb, and also often unsafe. Many companies have stopped using ladders because of the risks involved. It s very important to make sure that you do everything you can to reduce the risks of working at heights as accidents can be deadly. Ladders probably aren’t the best option in most circumstances. There are lots of different types of work plat forms, including Travel towers, Boom Lifts, and Work platforms Lifts. Each of these is suitable for different applications and useful for use on different types of terrain. Depending on what you are doing with your access plat form, and what type of land you are lifting off you will require different machinery.

Working at any height can be a real risk and danger for anyone that is not familiar with it. Although working up an access plat form is safer than working on a ladder, there are st ill risks associated with it . An access plat form allows you the opportunity to work on a bigger area without having to risk over stretching and potentially falling. Some access plat forms can also move around while they are higher which makes maintaining lights much easier and quicker than having to take down the ladder and continually move it. Access Machinery is very expensive which is why you should look at cherry picker hire and scissor lift hire opt ions such as www.universalmobiletowerhire.com.au. This site can help you learn everything about access machinery that you need to know so that you can make the right decisions and choose a machine that you will be happy with and that suits your requirements. It will take time for you to learn all of these types of machines; however it really is worth it . Truck mounts for example are easy to transport as they have their own vehicle, while scissor lifts and cherry pickers are ideal for use indoors and doing various types of building work. If you are confused with the different types of machines available then you can discuss this with the people at www.universalmobiletowerhire.com.au

Universalmobiletowerhire.com.au will show you the various different types of travel towers and boom lifts on offer so that you are fully informed before renting one. Even renting one of these machines is a considerable expense, which is why it s so important to make sure that you get it right the first time. The wrong machine could end up in a delay for your whole project if you are not careful. Certain types of cherry picker are designed with a specific purpose in mind, there are long reach access plat forms which are suitable for reaching up and over something rather than a scissor lift that just lifts straight upwards. Depending on what you are doing, different types of lifting platforms will be required.

www.universalmobiletowerhire.com.au



platform lifts

Sean Noughtly asked:


The first wheelchair has roots that date back many thousands of years and since then, they have been used by almost all cultures. These early wheelchairs did not follow any specific pattern though, but were merely devices used to carry a person and often were reserved for the royalty, who had very extravagant carriages designed. It would not be until after the First World War that wheelchairs began to resemble what we are accustomed to today. Currently there are many different types of mobility vehicles available, many of which utilize battery power. Transporting these battery powered mobility vehicles can often be very difficult, unless you have a vehicle lift.

Vehicle lifts are installed into or onto a van, SUV, truck, or car. They allow a mobility vehicle to be easily moved and usually are electrically powered. There are a few types of vehicle lifts that are available.

One of the most common is the external vehicle lift. These are designed to be mounted onto a standard receiving hitch. A hitch is most often used to attach a trailer to a car or truck, but they have many other practical uses. A receiving hitch is square shaped and allows a square shaped shaft to be slid into it.

External vehicle lifts are simply slid into the vehicles hitch. These lifts are very popular due to how easily they can be installed and removed, which usually only takes a minute or two. Most of these lifts use a small platform that is lowered onto the ground and allow the mobility device to be driven directly onto the platform. They are then raised off of the ground. These electronically controlled external vehicle lifts are either powered from a rechargeable battery pack or get their power from the vehicle’s battery.

There are a few available that do not use any power at all and instead are simply tilted down, then tilted back up once the scooter is on the platform. These lifts usually can not support as much weight as battery powered vehicle lifts. The upside is that you do not need to worry about recharging a battery or having cables installed, but as a safety feature, many of the more popular battery powered external vehicle lifts have a manual override, which can be used if you run out of juice.

The other type of lift is the internal lift and these come in two flavors. Those that own SUVs, trucks and vans are able to use a platform lift that works similar to the external vehicle lifts. A platform extends from inside the vehicle and the scooter is driven onto it. The platform is then retracted into the vehicle. Many of these lifts have an available adapter, which can be used to charge your mobility vehicle.

For those who wish to use their lift with a car, a crane type internal vehicle lift is available. These lifts use a cable winch system that attaches to the mobility vehicle and lifts it off of the ground. They pivot, so the mobility vehicle can be swung into the car. They are also used in larger vehicles.



platform lifts

Robert asked:


How fast can you walk? Run? Or climb the stairs? If without a second thought you can say “Faster than you” you would probably think that those are trick questions. But for those who find these rather simple tasks very strenuous and challenging to do, such questions can be arresting for them.

The physically challenged, as well as the aged individuals, who spend most of their time in their wheelchairs, have limited mobility. Consequently, their independence are also lesser than what they had when they were not yet confined in their wheelchairs. These people can greatly benefit from special transportation equipment, such as elevators, ramps, and vertical wheelchair lifts.

A vertical wheelchair lift, or platform lift, is powered by either hydraulics or electrical energy. This device allows a wheelchair bound individual to be elevated or lowered among floor levels without having to leave his/her wheelchair.

The vertical wheelchair lifts come in many different models, some of which includes the following:

• Enclosed Model – In this vertical wheelchair lift, the wheelchair and its occupant can stay on top of a platform while enclosed with walls as the lift moves up/down. This type of lift is especially practical for outdoor uses where safety may be compromised because of altering weather conditions.

• Shaftway Model – This kind of wheelchair lift can fit within existing walls, just like a typical elevator. It is very much useful in both residential houses and public establishments.

• Stage Model – This lift model features solely a platform. It is commonly used for shorter heights or elevations, such as on a stage or onto a vehicle.

• Opal Model – This vertical wheelchair lift is similar to the enclosed model that has a platform enclosed with walls. However, this lift model has an open ceiling.

Vertical wheelchair or platform lifts can be used in different locations, as shown in the following situations.

• Vertical platform lifts give wheelchair confined individuals a better way in to and out of their residential homes as such devices allows them to be raised from the ground up on their elevated (or with steps ) front porches.

• In schools and in other similar educational institutions, vertical wheelchair lifts are installed to give access to physically handicapped students, faculty and staff, and visitors to enter an auditorium stage or other elevated platforms.

• Some public buildings already have elevators installed, but such transportation system oftentimes could not carry a wheelchair. Hence, they still opt to install vertical wheelchair lifts for this special need. Also, many older buildings have cramped areas that do not have spaces to accommodate ramps. That is why they prefer to have vertical platform lifts installed rather than the space consuming ramps.

A vertical wheelchair lift is indeed of great significance to people with physical limitations. For them, having such device could mean a better life with more activities and greater independence. Whether installed in homes or in public structures, a vertical platform lift can make a significant change in the lives of these individuals.



platform lifts

IC asked:


There are currently many types of wheelchair lifts available, for many different functions. The four most commonly used are the inclined platform lift, vertical platform lift, portable lift, and portable vertical lift. These are all very similar in that they transport or lift a wheelchair and user to a higher story in a home or even up a flight of stairs; however, they all have different uses.

The inclined platform wheelchair lift is suitable for use indoors our outdoors. They are the main lifts that are installed in homes. Inclined platform lifts can also be found in schools and various other public buildings, as well as churches. They are mostly used at stairways, either on the inside of the stair railing or the outside, and assist people in wheelchairs by lifting them to a higher level in the building.

The vertical platform wheelchair lift is basically the same as a home elevator. The are custom built for the building that they are installed in. Commercial buildings use them, as well as some homes. They are normally installed beside stairways, although they are not attached to the stairway as the inclined platform lifts are.

Portable wheelchair lifts are, as the name implies, portable. They are designed to help with things like stages, bleachers, and raised platforms. Because they are portable, they can be moved, for instance from a school auditorium to an outside bleacher area, and they aid in the same way by lifting the wheelchair and user to the higher level.

Portable vertical lifts are also portable. They provide much the same function as the portable wheelchair lift and the vertical wheelchair lift, but are portable enough to be used by an individual, as opposed to a public building. The portable vertical lift is small enough to be towed behind your vehicle and easy enough to use that you can set it up whenever needed. For instance, beside bleachers, if there is no other way of raising the wheelchair user to a higher level, you can use a portable vertical lift, and when you are finished, you simply hook it up to your car and tow it home.

There are many different sizes and shapes of wheelchair lifts available. Many public buildings now have wheelchair lifts available. The ease of being able to move between floors in buildings has given more mobility and freedom to those confined to wheelchairs.



platform lifts

Robert asked:


Many people today who use wheelchairs or just have trouble walking have discovered the wonders of Ameriglide Vertical Platform Lifts. Ameriglide manufactures only the highest quality home medical equipment that has been thoroughly tested by experienced engineers. Vertical Platform Lifts or wheelchair lifts, as they are often referred to, have helped many Americans retain their independence and liberty.

In older times if you were in a wheelchair it meant that you had to design your entire home around that fact. Elevators were reserved to those who were immensely wealthy or to commercial structures. This made it very hard for those with disabilities. It meant that you would very likely have to sell your home if you did not have some means of entering and exiting your home at ground level.

All that has changed, however, and having a vertical platform lift is like having your own mini elevator. It is no longer necessary to get rid of your home simply because you can not navigate your outside steps. These lifts can safely and carefully support a good deal of weight and can be customized to fulfill virtually any needs. The best part about it is these devices allow you to remain independent. It is possible to go out for a drive, check the mail, or take a stroll through the neighborhood without any outside assistance. These things, that seem so small to those without disabilities, can mean the world to those of us with them.

Vertical Platform Lifts are also a way for us to sleep better at night. This is because we know that in the event of a fire or if something happens to us our loved ones can still get out of the house if they need to.



platform lifts

randy padrinas asked:


By investing in disabled access you are making your service available to a huge segment of the market that has long been over looked.

 In 2003, there were 3.35 million people aged 60 years and over (17% of the population), just over half had a reported disability (51%) and 19% had a profound or severe core-activity limitation – (ABS).The combined spending power of these two groups is in the region of $22 billion per year.

It is estimated that MENA region has approximately 30 million or more people with disability. Disabled people tend to experience widespread exclusion from social, economic, and political life of the community, whether due to ongoing stigmatization or to the neglect of their needs in the design of policies, programs and facilities.

The UAE Disability Act (Federal Law No.29/2006) protects the rights of disabled children and seeks to correct this imbalance by requiring equitable access and related facilities for disabled children into all new property developments that includes schools and rehabilitation schools.

 Building designers, construction companies, building owners and managers must ensure that access and related facilities are provided for disabled people including disabled children and ensure that the access and facilities are available at all times maintained at all times

 The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission will prosecute service providers and employers who have not made the necessary adjustments to make their premises accessible to disabled people.

The Platform Lift Company is one of Australia’s premier suppliers and fitters of platform lifts for disabled access. Our products comply with BCA and DDA guidelines and are suited to both commercial and residential environments. We offer a wide range of lift options to suit all your access needs. We are not bound by ‘standard’ platform sizes, and can customise a lift to suit most size specific situations. From external to curved staircase lifts, we can supply, fit and maintain the perfect solution for any site.

For more information please visit our website: http://www.platformliftco.com.au/ or call Heath Donnelly, Managing Director, at +971 50 460 1102; +971 43356118. Or email: heath@platformliftcompany.com

 



platform lifts

James Todman asked:


A scissor lift, sometimes known as a table lift, is a work platform used for carrying loads or people. It moves upwards when the criss-crossing supports beneath the platform draw together, pushing the lift upwards. It enables the operator to adapt its height to suit any task.

Scissor lifts can use hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical power to extend in height, and come in various types and sizes. Originally designed as an industrial lift it has now been modified to suit retail and wholesale environments.

There are many benefits of using scissor lifts, including:

1) Scissor lifts can help operators to reach areas that might otherwise be inaccessible.  Larger models can extend to a height of 18.8 metres (62 feet).

2) Scissor lifts are so simple to operate and move that they reduce fatigue in operators, increasing levels of production.

3) Scissor lifts eliminate repetitive strain injury (RSI) by avoiding the need to bend and stretch repeatedly.

4) The weight of the load being lifted is distributed evenly, because of the lift’s vertical scissor motion beneath a flat platform.

5) Different scissor lifts utilise different methods of power, so companies can opt for a hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical model depending on their requirements.

6) Scissor lifts vary in base size, platform size, vertical travel and height. They can carry different capacities from standard to heavy loads, enabling companies to choose the appropriate model according to the working environment.

7) Scissor lifts can either be stationary or mobile, depending on the needs of the company

Turntables can be added to scissor lifts to allow the operator to rotate loads. This saves time and minimises the risk of injury from heavy loads.

9) Tilters can be used on scissor lifts to allow the operator to position a product by tilting the platform, sliding goods off.  Operators do not have to risk injury by lifting heavy loads.

10) When not in use and fully retracted, scissor lifts take up little space in a warehouse or office.

For many years industry has benefited tremendously from the use of scissor lifts, resulting in increased production and less strain and injury to employees. Continual innovations mean that there is now a wider choice of features making the scissor lift a very useful piece of equipment.

Today scissor lifts can be seen operating in most warehouses. Mobile models can travel over smooth surfaces or be adapted to tackle the uneven terrain of building sites. It is not unusual to see a scissor lift on a film set as they have proved popular for supporting the cameras. Whatever your requirements there will always be a scissor suitable for your needs.



platform lifts

Robert asked:


Traveling from point to another is as easy as a footstep. The elderly, disabled, and even people doing normal chores can take advantage of the benefits of various accessibility options out in the market. It guarantees convenience, safety, and improved traveling experience either indoor or outdoor. Each has its own good points and drawbacks. Some can cater to your most basic accessibility needs while others can offer more than the usual.

Stair Lifts

When going up and down the stairs start to be a difficult and uncomfortable task, stair lifts are the best option. Electric or battery-powered stair lifts are generally cheaper to install compared to other accessibility options. It requires minimal or no additional space at all. The user can even control the speed of the lift with a press of a button. No more ankle, knee or hip ache to worry when traveling the stairs. Various models offer elegant designs, colors, fabrics that can fit straight, spiral or curved stairs. Also, when not in use stair lifts can be folded up easily and efficiently, thus people can still freely travel the stairs. Stair lifts are best recommended for the elderly and disabled who find it hard or almost impossible to take steps on stairs.

Vertical Platform Lifts

People on the wheelchair can have the best of both worlds using a vertical platform lift. It can be mounted straight to a wall or tower-mounted to the staircase. It offers a smooth, stylish and quiet ride. Some have a durable powder coating specifically designed for outdoor purposes. They are the flexible and efficient answer to multi-level structures either inside or outside the home. It can be the best substitute for an elevator providing the same functionality at a very lower cost. When you are not using the lift, the rail system may be used as a suitable handrail. If stairs become a barrier, the best solution is a platform lift.

Elevators

Considered to add significant value to your home, elevators are the most flexible accessibility option that can cater to every individual’s needs. It adds value and at the same time provides convenience to your lifestyle. It requires less space compared to stair lifts and more stylish than platform lifts. Whether you are fixing the laundry, moving furniture, or unloading groceries, elevators are convenient and faster way to do it. Some elevators come with safety features such as interlocks, cable safety devices, alarm, phone, emergency light and more. Its maintenance requirements are also minimal comparable with your furnace or air conditioner. Obviously, with all these features you will have to allot a bigger budget.

There are no more reasons for you or a family member to experience difficulty and pain in moving between floors of your own home. No more chance to miss a reunion or other family celebration just because you can’t take the stairs or being locked up in one portion of the house for the reason that moving freely and independently is just impossible. Technology has made is here to improve the lives of mankind in so many ways.



platform lifts

Robert asked:


If you or someone you love is in a wheelchair or has trouble walking, than it can be very hard to negotiate staircases of any kind. Often, your whole house is handicapped accessible with the exception of the most important part: the front steps. Wheelchair lifts are responsible for guaranteeing that millions of Americans maintain their freedom and independence and retain the ability to enter and exit their home. Wheelchair lifts are very similar to elevators and are often referred to as vertical platform lifts. The term vertical platform lift is actually a very fitting and descriptive name. Wheelchair lifts are in essence a platform that is raised vertically to allow people who cannot climb stairs, or those in wheelchairs, to easily go up and down the stairs. The lift travels the distance from the ground to the top of the stairs vertically at a slow and steady pace.

Wheelchair lifts are capable of lifting over 500 pounds distances of 12 feet or more. 12 feet is actually pretty high for a normal home residence and usually lifts of this distance are found commercially in places such as schools and churches. Many commercial operations will purchase portable units that can be moved without disassembly.

Whether you get a traditional wheelchair lift or one that is portable, it will quickly open up new doors. It can be very hard to not be able to leave your home, or to have to rely on someone to help you down the stairs. These units come with an easy and simple to use keypad, which can be operated by the person using the lift, or by a separate individual.

Quality wheelchair lifts made by a reputable manufacturer will provide many years of service. These units are designed to be weather proof and are very rugged and well built, so they can withstand almost all types of weather conditions. The time is now, regain your independence.



platform lifts