Do you ever wonder how people with limited mobility or disabilities get access to buildings? Is it possible with stairs? Disabled people relying on wheelchairs can’t use stairs and ramps independently. So, for their convenience and comfort, platform lifts must be installed. Platform lifts are mechanical devices to provide accessibility for individuals with limited mobility and disabilities. These can move vertically, covering a short distance of two to three floors. Here’s a guide on where to install these lifts and what safety measures to be taken.
Installing platform lifts
These lifts are installed for the comfort and convenience of disabled and limited-mobility people. They can be used to carry personnel, equipment, etc.
Public buildings
Various public buildings where platform lift need to be installed for better access and comfort of people.
Government buildings
Imagine a disabled person coming to the courthouse but unable to move in due to stairs at the entrance. Not pleasing, right? That’s where platform lifts are needed! They ensure safe and weather-protected mobility. Government buildings, such as courtrooms, administrative offices, etc., should have these lifts installed at the entrance and internal staircases.
Schools and universities
It is not like disabled students, staff and visitors aren’t coming to educational institutes, right? So, to have equal opportunities, there must be platform lifts in staircases, building entrances, auditorium stages, etc., for them to move hassle-free. Carrying heavy bags and equipment would also be easy from one floor to another.
Transportation Centers
To ease mobility in transport centers, platform lifts must be provided in platforms, boarding areas, etc., so that people with limited mobility can also travel easily. These lifts can be used to carry heavy luggage.
Hospitals and healthcare
A hospital is a place where people with health problems visit. Limited mobility people or disabled people are also part of this, so to give them ease and not discomfort, these lifts must be installed on different floors, near emergency exits, etc. These lifts can also be used for equipment loading, such as carts, wheelchairs, medical facilities and many more.
Commercial buildings
Restaurants and clubs
Discreet platform lifts match the perfect aesthetics of restaurants and clubs. These must be installed to let the disabled and people with limited mobility have fun without missing out. These lifts can help people comfortably reach higher places, load supplies, and install lights and photos at higher places.
Offices
The environment of a workplace is quiet and smooth. To maintain its dignity, platform lifts must be installed at the entrance connecting office floors and other levelled places. They can be helpful for people in wheelchairs, giving them access and navigating them to their place with ease.
Movie theatres
Platform lists must be installed in movie theatres with everyone’s needs in mind. They must ensure effortless accessibility to seating areas, entrances, and aisles leading to different levels and make everyday tasks like cleaning and dusting easy for everyone.
Malls
Platform lifts can do wonders to facilitate movement between multiple floors in large spaces like malls. They can be helpful in moving, cleaning, displaying things, etc., effectively. These must be installed at the entrance, near the escalator and stairs.
Residential Buildings
For multiple-storey houses or people living individually in houses, many efforts need to be made to clean, install lights, fix something, etc. These can be helpful for old or disabled people in reaching one floor to another. Loading things from one place to another can be helpful in residential buildings.
Safety Measures To Follow
Weight capacity
Always check the lift’s capacity to ensure that it’s not overloaded. If it is overloaded, keep it under the weight limit by keeping some supplies out for the next ride or asking some passengers to wait. Overload may lead to mechanical failure and accidents.
Regular Maintenance
Always maintain these lifts. Get them checked by qualified technicians to ensure good working conditions and to find any defaults that can later cause issues.
Safety Gates
Use safety gates and barriers to prevent accidental falls that can lead to serious injuries.
Final words!!
Platform lifts are really helpful in comforting the disabled and people with limited mobility. They promote equality by giving disabled people an equal opportunity to have access to all places. In some online stores, you can find platform lifts for sale. There are various lift products available in the market. You can choose what type suits best for your building. Ensure that your buildings reflect your care and value for others. Each and every person should have equal access to all the sources of freedom and participation in all aspects.
