Lift Platforms
A vertical lift platform must fulfil the following requirements:
1. The lift platform must have dimensions that allow its use by a wheelchair user.
2. The surface of the platform has a free space of 900 mm x 1500 mm (width x length).
3. Access to the platform areas shall be free of obstacles in every landing of 1500 mm
x 1500 mm.
4. A lateral space of interaction in front of the lift-calling button shall be at a height
between 700 mm and 1200 mm.
5. The platform’s entrance or exit shall have minimum 900 mm width and be free of
obstacles.
6. It must have side protection separating users from the walls of the lift platform shaft.
7. Inside the platform cabin, at least two handrails shall be placed at a height of 900
mm ± 100 mm from the floor.
8. The control buttons design shall be accessible. They shall have a continuous
pressure button operation and shall be operable with the elbow.
9. There should be an additional external control for the platform that could be used by authorized personnel when necessary.
10.If the cabin is open, with walls only reaching halfway up the cabin, the maximum allowed travel height is 2000 mm in public buildings and 3000 mm in private housing.
11.If the platform lift is a full cabin model the maximum allowed travel height is 4000 mm.
Relevant Guidance
LCL2
Maneuvering space of 1500 x 1500mm in front the lift access
LCL3
Calling button height between 700 – 1200mm
LCL5
Cabin with side protections to isolate users from side walls
LCL6
Inside the cabin, minimum two handrails at a height of 800mm to 1000mm from the floor
LCL9
2000mm travel height if open cabin- 4000mm height if full cabin
LCL1
Dimensions of the cabin on min. 900 x 1500mm
LCL4
Doors width of 900mm
LCL7
Inside the cabin, continuous pressing buttons operable with the elbow
LCL8
Additional external control by authorized person
Glossary of Terms
Lifting devices provide vertical transportation between building floors, levels or decks, and are commonly found in offices, public buildings and other types of multi-storey accommodation
An elevator or lift is a mechanical platform or compartment housed in a shaft for raising and lowering people or things to different levels
Flat topped elongated bars in the paving surface under feet of blind people. They are used as a directional sign to assist the independent mobility of people with visual disabilities.
The call buttons are situated outside the elevator and close to the doors, allowing users to request the elevator to stop at their floor and allow them to enter.
These are visual or digital indicators that a floor has been reached. They are often provided alongside a verbal audible announcement that a floor has been reached.
Braille is a system of reading and writing by touch used by the blind. It consists of arrangements of dots which make up letters of the alphabet, numbers, and punctuation marks
LUX is a unit of illumination equal to the direct illumination on a surface that is everywhere one meter from a uniform point source of one. It is used in universal design to determine if an area is adequately lit by natural daylight or artificial lighting so people with poor vision are able to navigate a space safely.
Pendulum test value (PTV) is a measurement of the slip resistance of a floor surface, either an external or internal floor of a building. The least slip resistance a surface material is, the more likely people may skid or trip, especially in wet conditions. In average circumstances, slip-resistance is as follows:
0-18 = very low slip-resistance.
18-25 = moderate slip-resistance.
25-36 = good slip resistance.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a numeric scale that is used to identify how much light a colour reflects or absorbs. It is used in universal design to identify the contrast between two colours. This can help to determine if there is sufficient contrast to visually identify a feature such as a fonts on a sign, elevator call button, a handrail and other items which need to be seen by visually impaired people.
Tactile pavements are textured surfaces with contrasted colour that are perceptible and identifiable by feel or cane or residual functional vision that warns or informs people with visual disabilities.
A strong bar, fence, railing, balustrade or glass constructed as part of building along side a drop or something steep, such as slopes, stairs, balcony edges, external paths or terraces. They are suitably strong to prevent people from tripping or falling off causing harm.
Kilonewtons (kN/m), is the measurement of pressure or force. In universal design, we use kN/m to measure the pressure resistance of floors, the force needed to open doors or the force used against guardrails.
Tools and Templates
