Lifts are either electric or hydraulic and consist of the lift itself and a tower that runs and sits beside it. When a lift is installed, an electrician must create an outdoor electrical circuit for the lift's power source. It can be installed near the front or back entrance or to the side of the entrance or exit, providing there is sufficient rolling and turning space for a wheelchair or scooter.
A safety gate is installed at the top—against the house or structure it's built against, to prevent anyone from falling off the platform. The toe plate and side gates on the lift protects passengers from rolling off.
1 on 12. That means for every foot of rise up to an entrance, you'll need a minimum of 12 feet of ramp. A steep ramp can make it impossible for someone in a manual wheelchair, not to mention dangerous. If space permits, it's even better to have 20 feet of ramp for every foot of rise. Somewhere between 12 and 20 would be ideal.
Ramps must be at least three feet wide and have handrails on both sides. For every 30 inches of ramp rise, there must be a level rest platform at least five feet long. Additionally, wherever a ramp changes direction, a five-by-five footrest platform must be provided. If there is a drop off on one side of a ramp, some kind of protective curb is necessary.
Last modified: Wednesday, 19 October 2011, 9:09 AM
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