Lift Engineering and Construction Industry

Robert asked:

Many people who are elderly, suffer from arthritis, or muscular related diseases use mobility devices like mobility scooters and wheelchairs. These types of mobility aids can greatly increase mobility and the areas that are accessible. These types of devices can be used to travel many different types of terrains, but they are almost never outfitted to travel over the stairs. In these instances a vertical platform lift can be installed to help with this problem.

Vertical platform lifts are often called porch lifts because they are commonly installed on the front steps of houses. They, using a small platform, support the person and their personal mobility device and move them up and down the stairs. Most can support over 500 pounds, which is generally enough to transport 2 individuals and one mobility scooter at a time. There are several units available commercially and residentially that can support up to 750 pounds.

Porch lifts can be installed fairly easily. They typically only require a solid base of concrete or wood and are easily secured to this base. Depending on the lifting height and the model of porch lift, it may be necessary to also secure the unit to the wall of the stairs. Some porch lifts are portable and can be moved easily and in a matter of minutes. These portable vertical platform lifts are commonly used at schools and in churches. A portable unit typically has a lower lifting height and also may not be able to support as much weight as a non-portable unit.

Vertical platform lifts provide a very valuable service for those who use mobility scooters, electric power wheelchairs, or other personal mobility vehicles. It can open your home up with the rest of the world, or ensure that your business is accessible to those who are mobility challenged.

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

Robert asked:


Vertical platform lifts allow people to connect areas of different elevation throughout their home. In the residential environment these valuable devices are most often found at the entrance to the home. The front steps, especially in older homes, are often steep, narrow, and hard to navigate. A vertical platform lift or wheelchair lift, as it is often called, can bridge this gap and return the freedom you used to have when you were younger. Vertical platform lifts offer what is commonly referred to as either adjacent-access or straight-through access. The differences are explained below.

The type of access refers to the way a user will enter and exit the vertical platform lift. This is an important consideration that should be made before you purchase the lift because often it must be configured by the manufacturer. Adjacent-access is when you enter the vertical platform lift, turn (usually) 90 degrees to the left or right and exit the lift. This is similar to how you exit a car. Pretend that enter a cargo van by walking through the back door. When it comes time to exit the van you turn to your right and open the side door. This setup can save space.

Straight-through access as the name implies refers to when you enter the lift and exit it by moving in the same direction. Think of it like a bridge. You enter the bridge from one side and go straight across the bridge never changing direction to exit on the other side. This design takes up more space, but for many is a more natural way of entering and exiting the vertical platform lift.

Now that you have a good idea of the different types of access it is a good idea to take a look and see what will work best for you. If you are planning on using your vertical platform lift to traverse your exterior stairs and you have a narrow landing than you will probably want to get an adjacent-access vertical platform lift. If you are planning to get a vertical platform lift that will raise individuals onto a stage or pulpit than a straight-through access vertical platform lift is probably for you.



platform lifts