What is a Wheelchair Access Lift

A Wheelchair Access lift, or to give it its proper name Platform Lift, is a lift for transporting wheelchair users either up and down stairs (inclined), or similarly to a conventional lift, vertically up and down.

There are a number of differences between platform and conventional lifts. Commercially speaking platform lifts are considerably cheaper to install, and they do not require a separate machine room and pit. From a technical point of view platform lifts are specified under the Machinery Directive (part M) as opposed to conventional lifts which have their own regulations.

Vertical access platform lifts are operated either by a hydraulic ram system, or by a screw and nut driven by an electric motor. Either type can be operated from a single phase 240V electricity supply, however the screw and nut system comes as a three phase unit as standard.