318:). On staircases with intermediate flat landings they eliminate the need for multiple straight stair lifts by providing a continuous ride up the entire length of the staircase. Because the rail is custom-made to follow the staircase, and because the chair is more complex than on a straight-rail stair lift (it has to be able to remain level while traveling along a track which changes direction and angle), curved-rail stair lifts are more costly than stair lifts for straight stairs. Specifying a curved-rail stair lifts usually involves careful measurement, design and manufacturing, and the installation process usually takes longer than for a straight domestic stair lift, usually between 5 – 10 weeks. One manufacturer, Acorn, can provide a curved-rail stair lift made from modular parts. This has the advantage of quick delivery time, even next day. The installer brings many parts and picks from them. They are usually similar in price to a custom-made curved-rail stair lift.
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430:(DC). One of the selling points is that a DC stair lift will continue to function during a power outage, provided the batteries are sufficiently charged. Most stair lifts have a 'charge point' where the unit will 'park' to charge its batteries. Some straight stair lifts have the ability to charge continuously no matter where they are left along the track.
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Stair lifts normally have "soft" starts so the user is not jerked as the carriage starts to move. Typical travel speed for domestic straight rail stair lift carriages range between 0.07 metres per second (13.78 feet per minute) and 0.15 metres per second (29.53 feet per minute) (0.34 miles per hour).
565:
Professionals within the home medical equipment industry do not recommend that people attempt to install these products themselves. They believe that in terms of warranty, long-term care, and service, it is much more economical to have a trained professional install these products. In addition, these
499:
To satisfy safety codes stair lifts usually have cut-out switches connected to "safety edges" and other protective devices so the drive power is disconnected if something goes wrong. Modern lifts have a high degree of comfort, but safety is always paramount. "Safety edges" are a common feature to the
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Outdoor stair lifts are available for straight and curved staircases. They operate similar to indoor stair lifts but include weather-resistant features to help the unit withstand extreme harsh temperatures and weather conditions. Most often, outdoor stair lifts are used on staircases for decks, home
410:
Some manufacturers produce stair lifts with trays instead of seats for moving goods between different levels, usually in commercial or industrial buildings. Some businesses have purchased normal domestic stair lifts purely as goods transporters and put items such as boxes of stationery on the seat.
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Straight rails for use on domestic staircases are usually made from extruded aluminum or steel and come in various cross-sectional shapes. These rails may, typically, weigh over 30 kg (66 lb), depending on the length. In most applications they are attached to the steps with metal brackets
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have a safety switch so the stair lift will not move unless the seat is locked into its travel position. Special models with seats facing the bottom of the staircase have been produced for users with spinal or other conditions which prevent use of the conventional seat layout. More room is need on
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Curved rails are made from materials such as steel or aluminum and come in various cross-sectional shapes according to the designer. Individual designs vary a lot and probably the key criterion is to make the curves with the smallest radius possible so they will wrap tightly around objects such as
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Stair lifts are highly individualized units that vary in price significantly. However, many base units begin between $ 3,000 and $ 5,000. Many options affect this base pricing including: length of railing needed, any curves involved, seat upgrades, motor upgrades, seat swivel, seat and foot pedal
486:
Also, the carriage is slowed down on bends but travels faster on straight runs. This means a more complex control system. Modern controls have small microprocessors which "learn" the characteristics of the journeys and keep the data in memory. They also record the number of journey and direction.
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More recently, some curved rails have been produced to a modular design so components can be unbolted and used elsewhere, subject to design and safety considerations. In some cases, tubular section rails which are welded during manufacture, are produced by specialist rail companies so they can be
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During the early days of curved rail stair lifts there was no second user market because of the difficulty of matching rails to a different layout. Even staircases built to the same design specification in neighboring houses have variations, but in most attempted "transplants" there are too many
149:
In the 1920s, C.C. Crispen, a
Pennsylvania entrepreneur, created a way to enable an ailing friend to travel from floor to floor. Crispen's idea was to design a seat that could climb stairs. A self-taught engineer, he built the first prototype of the inclining chair. He called it the Inclin-ator.
386:
There is a second-user market for some types of stair lift. This is most common with straight rail domestic types. The rails can be cut to length if too long, or extended with a "joining kit". Most models allow the carriage to be "re-handed" so it can be used on the left or right side of the
253:". At the top of the staircase the seat can be swiveled, commonly through around 45 degrees or 90 degrees, then locked in place to allow the user to alight from it onto a landing. Stair lifts are available with either a manual swivel or a powered swivel, depending on the users ability.
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Most domestic carriages have a seat with arms and a footrest. Some special models have a stand-on platform also known as a "perch" seat. For users with shorter legs a short seat can be fitted, to make the lift more comfortable to sit on. Seats can be tailored to suit individual needs.
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The platform is large enough to accommodate a wheelchair or scooter and its user, and may have folding edge flaps which drop down and act as ramps to allow for variations in floor levels. These flaps also prevent the wheelchair from going over the edge of the platform.
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Some development of self-diagnostic controls began at the onset of the 21st century. The idea was that stair lifts would predict when components were starting to deteriorate and automatically pass the information to the service provider so a visit could be arranged.
804:
Original page, including the definition of stair lift, created for the
Knowledge (XXG) in April 2006 by Philip W Baker, founder member of The Stair lift Institute, a charity which at the time was a registered member of the National Council for Voluntary
108:. For sufficiently wide stairs, a rail is mounted to the treads of the stairs. A chair or lifting platform is attached to the rail. A person gets onto the chair or platform and is lifted up or down the stairs by the chair which moves along the rail.
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Stair lifts are largely operated using a control on the arm of the lift. This is either a switch or a toggle type lever. This larger toggle switch enables users even with limited mobility or painful condition to use stair lifts easily and safely.
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294:) which is attached to the steps of the staircase. Straight-rail stair lifts can usually be installed within days of being ordered and, having a rail which is simply cut to length from a stock part, they are the least expensive stair lifts.
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Vertical platform lifts come under the general definition of a stair lift and are usually of a much heavier construction than a domestic stair lift due to the fact they are going to transport a wheelchair or scooter and the person.
423:(AC) drive motors which ran at full mains voltage (around 115 volts in North America, 230 volts in Europe). An "energy chain" ran alongside or through the rail to carry the power cable from the supply point to the carriage.
801:, UK Parliament House of Commons Daily Debates record. References to stair lifts: 16 Mar 1990 : Column 395; 7 May 2002 : Column 3WH; Westminster Hall, Sylvia Heal in the chair; 14 Jun 2004 : Column 744W
447:
The power rating of drive motors for domestic straight rail stair lifts may be around 250 watts. The power requirement will be greater for heavy loads, very steep inclines, and wheelchair platform stair lifts.
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used with a previously owned carriage, controls, and other components. This is, perhaps, like putting an old locomotive on new railway lines. It provides a lower cost solution than buying a totally new system.
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The seat of a curved rail stair lift may have to be tilted so it remains horizontal whilst going around curves and negotiates different angles of incline. This requires an additional motor and link system.
736:"Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts. Special lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Stairlifts and inclined lifting platforms intended for persons with impaired mobility"
366:
Many wheelchair platform stairlifts are designed and built to order. Others may comprise a standard platform and carriage, with the only special requirement being the length of rails or tracks.
234:
is the component which moves along the rail and normally runs on small diameter rollers. In most designs the carriage is pulled by a cable or chain, or driven along the inclined rail by a
134:
Some of the first stair lifts to be produced commercially were advertised and sold in the U.S. in the 1930s by the
Inclinator Company of America. Many users at the time were victims of
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Modern stair lifts can be found with a wide variety of features such as adjustable seat height, battery isolation switches, call stations, 'flip-up' rail, key switch, folding step,
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If a rail crosses a doorway at the bottom of the stairs or causes an obstruction, a hinge can be fitted so the end of the rail can be folded back out of the way when not in use.
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power pack and footplate. "Safety edges" ensure that if there is any obstruction on the stairs the stair lift will automatically stop and only travel away from the obstruction.
766:"Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts. Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Passenger and goods passenger lifts with inclined travel path"
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professionals are also aware of all safety measures and concerns associated with the proper installation of stair lifts, as well as the applicable local elevator codes.
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Note: codes of practice and technical specifications are updated occasionally. These references may be out of date by the time they are read and are shown as examples.
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Stair lifts are used by people of all ages and child car seats can usually be fixed a standard stair lift seat using the seat belt provided with the stair lift system.
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Control circuit design varies greatly among the different manufacturers and models. Curved rail stair lifts have more complex controls than those with straight rails.
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remote controllers. It is known that radiation from devices such as fluorescent lights can interfere with infrared stair lift controls. Also, heat and
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The rails are, necessarily, of heavy construction to support the load and the drive system is usually accommodated within a tubular section rail or
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used by skiers. The term stair climber can refer either to stair lifts, or more commonly to the exercise equipment by the same name.
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The speed of curved rail stair lift carriages may vary on the journey if the controls cause them to slow on inclines and bends.
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The sections of curved rails are usually packaged well to prevent damage in transit and are unwrapped and assembled on site.
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Now they are seen for use in elderly, fall-prone individuals, and disabled people who are unable to navigate stairs safely.
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Some insurance companies have offered breakdown policies for stair lifts. Manufacturers and installers have offered an
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motors and the batteries (three in total) were housed in a cabinet mounted near the top or bottom of the rail. An
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differences to make it practicable. Many owners have had to pay to have unwanted curved stair lifts removed.
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Most platform stair lifts are used in public access buildings and / or inside and outside private homes.
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Many stair lifts are also fitted with a key, to allow the user to prevent others from using the lift.
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Rails for wheelchair platform stair lifts may be secured to walls in addition to the step fixings.
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Today, self-installation of stair lifts is becoming a common trend for people interested in
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With most DC models the batteries are accommodated within the carriage and travel with it.
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More recently, domestic stair lifts have been powered from rechargeable batteries and use
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359:. Some models have steel cables inside the tube, others have chains; yet others may use a
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is a mechanical device for lifting people, typically those with disabilities, up and down
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Electronic controls are used extensively. Many stair lifts have radio frequency or
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Codes of practice and technical specifications apply to stair lift manufacture.
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BS EN 81-22:2021: Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts.'
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projects. Stair lifts are available for purchase that can be self-installed.
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invented and patented "An
Invalid Chair with Tramway for use on Staircases".
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ASME A18.1 - 2005 Safety
Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts
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and by other names. This type of chair lift should not be confused with the
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An important specification used by stair lift manufacturers in Europe was
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Some stair lift chairs can also be moved and used as indoor wheelchairs.
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The conventional layout for a typical domestic stair lift is to have the
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402:, rather like those available for domestic white goods and brown goods.
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British
Standard BS 5776: 1996 Specification For Powered Stair lifts,
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711:"About Inclinator Company of America - History of Home Elevators"
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Curved stair lifts are made to follow the shape of an individual
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These are the most common type of stair lifts used in private
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system was used to convert the DC energy to three phase AC.
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lights can, in some circumstances, have an adverse effect.
687:"disability history museum--Inclinator Company Of America"
176:, used a chair that was hauled up and down stairs on a
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in 2009 found evidence in a list of the possessions of
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A17.1 - 1990, Safety Code for
Elevators and Escalators
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This assists service engineers on maintenance calls.
249:at right angles to the rail so the user travels "
512:In North America these codes may be relevant:
794:Elevator World, Volume One, No 1 January 1953
663:Using the Building Regulations: Part M Access
8:
436:Some models, however, were designed with
330:A stair lift with wheelchair platform at
80:Learn how and when to remove this message
532:American Society of Mechanical Engineers
322:Wheelchair vertical platform stair lifts
43:This article includes a list of general
653:
196:, seat belt, soft start and soft stop.
168:that the king used a stairlift. The 30
27:Chair to move people up and down stairs
261:the landing with these special seats.
746:from the original on January 29, 2022
7:
172:(190 kg) king, injured through
238:system or other drive arrangement.
153:Prior to this Frederick Muffett of
111:Stair lifts are known variously as
49:it lacks sufficient corresponding
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542:The British Standards Institution
544:. It has since been replaced by
34:
1:
460:Stairlift with remote control
419:Early stair lifts mostly had
205:(sometimes called "cleats").
595:Central–Mid-Levels escalator
382:Previously owned stair lifts
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839:Vertical transport devices
378:entryways or lake access.
290:and have a straight rail (
180:system by servants at the
665:. Routledge. p. 63.
584:folding, and power type.
270:Straight-rail stair lifts
691:www.disabilitymuseum.org
661:Smith, Melanie (2006).
298:Curved-rail stair lifts
278:A restaurant stair lift
64:more precise citations.
636:Shopping cart conveyor
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332:Dongsi Shitiao station
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155:Royal Tunbridge Wells
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819:Assistive technology
96:A medical stair lift
421:alternating current
373:Outdoor stair lifts
306:A curved stair lift
182:Palace of Whitehall
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740:shop.bsigroup.com
554:Self-installation
406:Goods stair lifts
400:extended warranty
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70:January 2011
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597:(Hong Kong)
438:three phase
387:staircase.
184:in London.
121:chair lifts
117:stair-lifts
62:introducing
813:Categories
721:2020-12-04
715:Inclinator
696:2020-12-04
672:1136349995
648:References
621:Lift chair
251:sidesaddle
160:Historian
113:stairlifts
102:stair lift
45:references
834:Stairways
829:Elevators
775:April 13,
750:April 13,
616:Home lift
611:Funicular
606:Escalator
357:extrusion
312:staircase
284:dwellings
226:Carriages
129:chairlift
18:Stairlift
744:Archived
601:Elevator
588:See also
470:infrared
452:Controls
442:inverter
363:system.
354:aluminum
232:carriage
188:Features
174:jousting
799:Hansard
216:posts.
145:History
58:improve
824:Chairs
669:
495:Safety
106:stairs
47:, but
579:Costs
292:track
286:with
256:Most
214:newel
200:Rails
170:stone
136:polio
777:2022
752:2022
667:ISBN
518:ASME
247:seat
230:The
560:DIY
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