Platform lifts for wheelchair users are usually bought by a facilities team, an architect or a contractor, and the conversation almost always starts with the staircase rather than with the machine. This article walks through what a compact platform lift involves, using a 3.5 m installation we built for a customer in Poland.
The project
The customer needed step-free access at a building entrance across a rise of 3.5 m, with the platform travelling between two levels and 180 degree loading so a wheelchair user can enter from one side and leave on the other. The available space was tight, and the platform had to sit within a shaft of 1450 x 1300 mm.
| Item | This project |
|---|---|
| Market | Poland |
| Application | Step-free access at a building entrance |
| Lifting height | 3.5 m, two levels |
| Platform size | 1400 x 1000 mm |
| Shaft required | 1450 x 1300 mm |
| Maximum capacity | 300 kg |
| Lifting speed | 4 to 6 m per minute |
| Drive system | Hydraulic |
| Loading direction | 180 degrees |
| Platform surface | 3 mm patterned stainless steel anti-skid plate |
| Operating temperature | Rated for use from -10 to 60 degrees C |
Why the shaft dimension is the first number
On a platform lift the shaft or enclosure is what the building has to provide, and it is fixed before the machine arrives. The platform itself has to fit inside it with enough clearance for the frame, the guide posts and the safety ramps, which is why a 1400 x 1000 mm platform sits in a 1450 x 1300 mm shaft rather than in a 1400 x 1000 mm hole.
If the shaft is already built, it defines the machine. If it is not, the machine can be chosen first and the opening built to suit, which is the cheaper way round.
The safety features that matter on a public installation
- Safety ramps or wanes, 400 mm wide, that lift automatically as the platform rises so a wheelchair cannot roll off the edge.
- Manual hydraulic descent valve, so the platform can be lowered by hand in a power failure.
- Safety interlocking, so the platform will not move if a gate or door is not properly closed.
- Overload protection, so the platform will not run above its rated capacity.
- Non-slip platform surface, normally a patterned stainless steel plate.
What the machine includes
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Safety ramps | 400 mm wide, rising automatically during travel |
| Manual descent | Manual hydraulic valve lowers the platform in a power failure |
| Interlocking | The platform will not run if a gate or door is not correctly closed |
| Overload protection | The platform will not run above its rated capacity |
| Options | Enclosure in glass, panel or mesh; call stations at each level; custom finish |
What to measure before you enquire
- The total rise, measured finished floor to finished floor, not the number of steps.
- The clear space available for the shaft or enclosure, including any wall that cannot be moved.
- The direction of travel on and off, which decides whether you need a straight-through, 90 degree or 180 degree unit.
- The power supply available at the location.
- Whether the installation is indoors or exposed to weather, which changes the finish and the electrical enclosure.
Frequently asked questions
How much space does a wheelchair platform lift need?
A compact unit with a 1400 x 1000 mm platform needs a shaft of about 1450 x 1300 mm, and a smaller 700 x 700 mm platform fits a shaft of 1000 x 750 mm. The rise is what changes most between projects, from 2.5 m on a short entrance to 8 m across three levels.
Can it be installed in an existing building?
Yes, and that is the normal case. The unit is fixed to the floor and the wall around the opening, so a new shaft is not always required, and the enclosure can be built in glass, panel or mesh to suit the building.
How long does delivery and installation take?
Manufacturing is quoted per project once the drawing is approved, and the mechanical installation itself is short because the unit arrives as a complete assembly. The site work, such as forming the opening and providing the power supply, usually takes longer than fitting the lift.
Next step
Send us the total rise, the space available and a photograph of the entrance, and we will confirm the platform size, the shaft requirement and the loading direction, and return a dimensioned drawing for approval. See our barrier-free lift platforms and stair lifts for the other ways to solve the same access problem.