Modern passenger and platform lifts in buildings «

Modern passenger and platform lifts in buildings 10. 12. 2009

Most modern buildings have passenger lifts installed at the design stage. The lift shafts are an integral part of the overall structure and can even contribute to the vertical strength of it. Passenger lifts are planned so that they can be accessed on each floor at a convenient location or locations that maximises the usefulness of the lift for all.

A different situation occurs in old buildings that were built without passenger lifts as part of their design. Either the building owners put up with the situation and provide a good staircase connecting every floor, or they think about installing a platform lift. They could, of course, install passenger lifts by ripping out the interior of the building and creating a lift shaft with an upper housing for the lift mechanism and a basement area as well, but in most cases, installing a free standing platform lift will do the job just fine.

There are many old buildings where a free standing platform lift is already in place. The work required to install the structure was minimal and the disruption time minimal too. The idea works well for solving the problem of disabled access, for example, or just to provide the convenience of passenger lifts for the general public. The structure does not need a basement area. Direct same level access from floor level can be achieved by digging a shallow basement area of just 50 millimetres. Even that can be dispensed with, though a ramp would then be required for wheelchair access.

Platform lifts used as standard passenger lifts do not require an upper machinery area either. The free standing structure has everything within it that it needs to function fully. It can be run from a standard three-phase, or even a single phase power supply. Platform lifts can extend up to around 13 metres in height, which may not be enough for very tall buildings, but is often enough for old buildings that were not designed with passenger lifts in mind in the first place.

Many old buildings are spacious. In some cities they are now used to house local government staff, or perform some other public function. Their spacious nature can often make them quite suitable for the installation of a free standing platform lift system. This can be strictly for disabled access, but can serve the purpose of passenger lifts for use by the general public as well. The free standing structure can be designed to be surprisingly unobtrusive amid the general setting of an old building, combining elements of the old and the new in a pleasing manner.

Speak to Public Access about any of our services including Platform Lifts, Passenger Lifts, Stair Lifts, Goods lifts or Door Automation.

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