Start with a free consultation
Our goal is accessibility for all. To help you choose the right wheelchair lift for your application, we start with a free consultation—an on-site needs assessment for existing buildings or a plan review for new construction projects. We look at site-specific requirements, typical usage and future needs to help you select a long-term solution for mobility and accessibility.
Looking for information on NCC lifts? Click here.
Ensure accessibility compliance
Wheelchair lifts are an integral tool for rising above challenges. Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) standards provide guidelines for accessible public spaces. The International Building Code (IBC) accessibility guide A117.1 affords more flexibility in terms of product choice. In Australia, reference standard NCC E3.6.
Applications: enclosure, hoistway and open
Your application will dictate the best option. Indoor vs outdoor use and travel distance are key considerations.
An unenclosed (open) vertical platform lift (VPL) is a great choice for low-rise travel up to 1828 mm. They excel in interior commercial applications adjacent to short flights of stairs, because they require less space than a ramp. They’re also used outdoors to access a porch or deck on the exterior of a building.
If exposure to inclement weather is a concern in outdoor applications, a VPL with an aluminium enclosure built by the lift manufacturer—often equipped with a domed roof—can be configured as a three-sided unit that attaches to and penetrates an exterior wall. This type of enclosed unit is often used indoors for mezzanine applications. They cannot penetrate a floor due to fire regulations.
When through-floor penetrations are required, some VPL models can be placed within a shaft or hoistway.
Entry/exit configurations
Vertical platform lifts can be configured in different ways to allow entry and exit points on different levels (stops). The images below illustrate the various options. Some configurations are not available on all products. Speak to your Savaria representative to select the best configuration for your application.
Code Compliance
Our wheelchair lifts meet the ASME A 18.1 and incorporate the requirements of NCC E3.6 regarding factors such as distance of travel, capacities, speed and other safety standards. Speak to your local Savaria representative for help navigating regional codes and bylaws for wheelchair lifts.
Looking for information on NCC lifts? Click here.
Fire ratings
In any application requiring a shaft penetrating the floor in a commercial building, we typically need to use a fire-rated shaft, which may dictate the model suitable for your project. We are happy to advise you regarding wheelchair lift compliance with your local fire safety code.
Construction
Wheelchair lift installations generally require work by multiple trades. Use our planning guides and architectural drawings to identify work by others including clearances required, support wall construction parameters and specific electrical needs.
We are most effective if brought in early in the project to ensure the required infrastructure and installation safety best-practices are in place from the start. Lean on our project management experience to help your installation go smoothly and safely.
