For a wheelchair lift, or sometimes called a lift for disabled persons it is possible to deliver very fast by us, not only for a standard version but also for custom versions. There are many types of wheelchair lifts (and stairlifts) available and prices are depending on design, travel (lifting height), type/situation (indoors/outdoors) and the use of a gate (interlocked gate). On the upper landing a gate is required when the travel is 500 mm or more (danger of falling). When the transportation is vertical the type of wheelchair lift which will be used is the platform type (plateau).
Whenever the transportation is to overcome a stairway the type of wheelchair lift which will be used is a stairlift (or a stair platform lift). There are 2 types of stairlifts known: the one with a straight rail and the one who is capable to make bends. The last mentioned version is used for almost any type of stairway with bends, for example: a parking position away from the passageway of the stairs, different types of bends with a different radius or stairs with a plateau in between two stairs. The stairlift does follow the route of the stairs and will stop when it has arrived at the final step.
When a new building is going to be constructed or a renovation of an existing building takes place everyone involved in the project will work with drawings. We will do the same of course, and we will advise you the very best we can regarding sizes, design, use of the wheelchair lift and safety. For fixed spaces in a building we will fit in the right wheelchair lift, it does not happen often that we have to say no to our customers. The other way around is also possible, the use of the wheelchair lift and the situation will determine what space is needed. In the end is the space needed to install the wheelchair lift properly the space of the area to keep clear to make installation possible. Regarding safety our suppliers (manufacturers) and Roton Lifts Europe will follow the rules and regulations Machinedirective 2006/42/EC. Every wheelchair lift will be delivered with a CE-certificate. Therefore, a liftcheck is not required. On top of this we also follow local rules in any country and we will make sure that we follow all instructions given by the architect or contractor who is involved in your project. Safety is very important, so we take a serious look about the danger of possible falling, squeezing (crushing) or injurie.
We also take a look at European construction rules about lifts for disabled persons (in the Netherlands this is called “Bouwbesluit”) Within these rules it is determined that a ramp or a lift is required when the height to overcome is 2 cm’s or more. Another important rule is the requirement for a gate on the upper landing when the travel is 500 mm or more (danger of falling). The gate is interlocked, which means that the gate can only be opened when the lift is at the right level (upper landing). For example, when someone is at the upper landing and the wheelchair lift is on the lower landing, the gate cannot be opened.
About design there are a lot of possibilities: stainless steel (also for the gate), galvanized lifts, standard steel or powder coating on steel or galvanized steel. On top of this all gates are provided with safety glass or polycarbonate.
Except the danger of falling there also is the danger of squeezing/crushing: any wheelchair lift we provide does have a device to take this danger away (anti-crushing plate underneath the lift or a PVC bellow, industrial quality).
As an extra precaution Roton Lifts Europe will take a good look at the situation for and around the wheelchair lift: an open space, close to a stairway, or walls. Wheelchair lifts who travel through an floor opening are dangerous to begin with, unless special walls are being placed. Up to 3 meters shaftwalls are not required and the user of the wheelchair lifts finds him/herself in an open cabin. Above 3 meters shaftwalls are always required, therefore only wheelchair lifts with a travel up to maximum 3 meters are offered on the market. (one of the requirements Machine directive 2006/42/EC)
Roton Lifts Europe can serve you with the right advice, we have experience and knowledge for over many years and we make sure your lift is safe and reliable!
The advantages of a wheelchair lift
Roton Lifts Europe does have the right network to give you the right:
- Delivery times (we are capable to deliver and install very fast)
- Very good quality / price ratio
- Flexibility regarding sizes, types, options and much more
- The latest technology to fight corrosion (humid environment, the lift is installed outside)
- A lift check is not required because of the fact that our wheelchair lifts will be delivered with a CE-certificate (Machinedirective 2006/42/EC)
- When desired a voluntary check is possible carried out by a Notified Body (TUV, Chex, Liftinstituut)
- Different designs to choose from
- Absolute safety and easy to use
- We have all the knowledge and expierence
- When travel is 500 mm or less a gate is not required
- 1 year warranty provided by manufacturer
All advantages mentioned above make sure that there is a solution for almost any situation, custom made is not only about the lift itself but also the right advice!
How to operate a wheelchair lift
There are many situations (or lifting heights) possible for using a wheelchair lift (or even required: by law, or use in a public building). When it is about a stairway, height between 2 floors,
a plateau, a terrace or even a sidewalk you may need a lift for disabled persons. European standards (in the Netherlands: Bouwbesluit 2017) does have important content about these situations.
When one thinks about the travel (lifting height), accessibility and the use of wheelchair lifts in public spaces, there are rules to follow. One of them is that a lift may not be an obstacle in public places, or is placed in a escape route where there is not enough space to pass in case of fire.
For a stairlift it is possible to automatically fold up the platform after use, the steering of the lift takes care of this. On the stairway itself the platform is only folded in lower position when in use, so when the platform is parked, one have to decide if parking takes place manual or automatic. This is something we have to take in consideration right from the start. Do you need a manual or automatic folding? What is needed, better or even required?
Summary: A liftcheck is not required because our wheelchair lifts are delivered according to Machine directive 2006/42/EC. On top of this Roton Lifts Europe will also follow local rules and standards.
For the way to use a wheelchair lift it is important to know the way one wants to control the lift. There are several possibilities: in every case there is a control unit on the lift itself, outside the lift you possibly find a curly cable with up/down/emergency stop or fixed control units on the outside of the lift (for instance wall mount). Also possible is that controls are mounted near the lift doors (saloon doors) or pillars placed in front of the lift. Of course every stop has its own way to control the lift, one press controlling is allowed and in most cases the standard. One press means that the lift will arrive with only pressing the destination button once. On the inside of the lift there always is a press and hold button to control the lift, so the user is aware of the movement and progress of the wheelchair lift. In some cases there is an exception and the lift does have an one press control, but this is absolutely not the standard (Machine directive 2006/42/EC).
Lifts for disabled persons or wheelchair lift always have a limited speed, this is because of safety but also not to scare the user when the lift is moving. Wheelchair lifts come with different drive versions, like:
- An actuator (is very common)
- Chain drive (is common)
- Screw driven (is very common)
- Belt driven (is not common)
- Hydraulic drive (not common at all / sometimes)
The limited speed together with the way to control the lift and built in safety against falling and crushing makes the fact that our lifts do follow the rules and regulations Machine directive 2006/42/EC and therefore a lift check is not required. A CE-certificate will be provided together with the delivery of your wheelchair lift.
Different kinds of use for a wheelchair lift
The most important difference in what kind of wheelchair lift to install depends on the travel. In any range of travel there are several types to choose from.
The range of travel for wheelchair lifts (platform/plateau versions) is divided as follows:
- Travel from 000 mm up to 500 mm
- Travel from 000 mm up to 1000 mm (a gate is required for 500 mm travel or more)
- Travel from 000 mm up to 2000 mm (a gate is required for 500 mm travel or more)
- Travel from 000 mm up to 3000 mm (a gate is required for 500 mm travel or more)
For a stair platformlift (stairlift) the difference depends on the type of stairs. When the situation is about a straight stairway the length of the rail for the lift is determined by the height from floor to floor and the depth of the stairway.
For a stairway with bends the above is the same, on top of this also the radius of the bends and the parking position will determine the correct installation.
According to your enquiry and your wishes we will always take this in consideration together with the type within the right range of travel. Regarding inside or outside use we will offer you more types to choose from. For outside installation we can often apply a standard lift without any extra costs (because the lift is provided standard with a special coating or the lift is galvanized).
To purchase a wheelchair lift
When it is about knowledge and experience Roton Lifts Europe is the right address to turn to. We will make sure to give you the right attention and advice. In many cases the quality and safety of your lift is the first priority. Because we cooperate with the most important manufacturers in Europe we can offer you different possibilities with different prices to compare.
An unique selling point is that we can deliver fast, this is because we cooperate with manufacturers who do have enough manpower in the factory to assembly your lift. Of course we provide all drawings you need (also DWG), together with complete installation. When desired we take care of the maintenance and possible malfunction of your lift.
