Stairlifts and platform lifts

Stairlifts and platform lifts are primarily used to overcome height differences on and in the building without barriers - from individual steps to the entire floor. Depending on the design, they are also suitable for retrofitting, e.g. for residential units that are not at ground level or multi-storey, or for transporting smaller loads. Stairlifts in particular offer a large selection of different models that can be individually adapted to the course of the stairs or terrain.

More about stairlifts and platform lifts

Stairlifts and platform lifts for use by physically impaired persons usually do not have to be planned by architects, as planning is part of the manufacturer's service when purchasing a system. The transport unit itself (seat lift, platform,...) is a mass-produced element that the customer can order according to the catalogue. There are often choices between several models, colors, fabric qualities and control consoles. The guide rails are manufactured from a coordinated system individually according to the measurements of the stairwell and the available storage space at the stops and installed by the specialist companies. Installation is possible on almost all types of stairs on the steps, on the wall or on the railing and takes about 3 hours for a straight staircase over one floor, a little longer for spiral stairs.

Planning notes

Costs: The costs for a stairlift or platform lift depend not only on the desired materials and equipment features, but also on the existing installation situation. The cheapest is a seat lift on a straight staircase over one floor. Larger layouts, curvy rail guides and outdoor facilities are generally more expensive.

KfW supports the installation or conversion of stairlifts through its "Age-appropriate conversion" funding programme with a low-interest loan or alternatively with an investment grant. The exact requirements, conditions and grant amounts can be found on the website of ►KfW . It is also possible to apply for a subsidy from the long-term care insurance if necessary. The application for this can be submitted to the health insurance company if the installation of a stairlift leads to an improvement in the living environment of the person in need of care, e.g. enables or significantly facilitates home care or an independent lifestyle. The website "barrierefrei.de" also offers a ► funding program search , in which suitable programs can be searched for divided by federal states. In addition, the costs for a lift system can usually be deducted from tax as a so-called extraordinary burden.

Space requirement: From a technical point of view, a minimum running width of the stairs of 70 cm is sufficient for the installation of a seat lift. Platform lifts require a minimum stair width of 90 cm and a ground-level, horizontal and load-bearing footprint of at least 90 x 120 cm at the stops. In the case of a spiral stair run, the increased space required by a square platform must be taken into account accordingly.

In addition, legal minimum stair travel widths must be complied with depending on the use and the building class, e.g. according to DIN 18065. In residential buildings with fewer than two residential units, a width of 80 cm is sufficient, necessary stairs in buildings with more than two residential units must have a minimum width of 100 cm, see "Necessary stairs".

Accessibility: The model building code (and thus the state building codes derived from it) contain requirements for barrier-free access for certain buildings depending on their use:

• Buildings with more than two apartments: Barrier-free accessibility of the apartments on one floor. Alternatively, barrier-free apartments on several floors are also permitted
• Publicly accessible structures: Accessibility in their parts serving general visitor and user traffic

requirements for the accessibility of stairs are further specified in DIN 18040-1 (for publicly accessible buildings) and in DIN 18040-2 (for residential buildings).

In order to retrofit accessibility in existing buildings, the installation of a lift or platform lift is often easier to implement than long ramps to bridge small stairs or steps. However, it is important to ensure that the selected system meets the specified properties of DIN 18040.

Workplaces: If an employer employs people with disabilities, their workplaces must be made barrier-free. The Supplementary Requirements to the Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR) contain the following requirements for the barrier-free design of workplaces, which may also require the use of stairlifts or lifts:

• Traffic routes with ramps for use by people with wheelchairs or walkers must not exceed a longitudinal inclination of 6%, otherwise suitable aids are required, such as a lift
• Traffic routes for use by people with wheelchairs, walkers or people who have a foot lift weakness must not contain thresholds over 20 mm and no steps. It must be possible to overcome unavoidable compensatory steps with stair climbing aids, stair lifts or platform lifts, for example.
• Stairs for use by persons with wheelchairs, walkers or by persons with a foot lifting weakness must be equipped with alternative transport facilities, such as inclined ramps, stair climbing aids, stair lifts, platform lifts or lifts.

Necessary stairs: In principle, the function of the necessary stairs as part of the first escape route and the traffic safety of the stairs must not be impaired. In the model list of technical building regulations, DIN 18065 specifies for necessary stairs (except for stairs in residential buildings of building classes 1 and 2 and in apartments) when the subsequent installation of a stairlift is permissible:

• the staircase is only used for access to apartments and/or comparable uses,
• the guide rails must not significantly restrict the minimum running width of the staircase of 100 cm,
• the clearance profile of the staircase may be restricted by a maximum width of 20 cm and a maximum of 50 cm height in the lower area if the stair running line or the walking area cannot be changed and the handrail can continue to be used,
• in the case of systems over several floors, there must be sufficient waiting space for an oncoming person on each floor, unless: when the lift is running, there is a residual travel width of 60 cm,
• the stair must not be restricted by the unused lift in the parking position,
• the stairlift must be able to be moved to the parking position by hand in the event of a malfunction,
• the seat of the stairlift must be folded up to or from the parking position during empty runs,
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• remaining travel width of 60 cm must remain next to the folded up seat during empty runs,
• the stairlift must be secured against misuse,
• and the stairlift must be made of non-combustible materials as far as technically possible.

Maintenance contract: It is advisable to have a stair, platform or lift system serviced once a year by a specialist company in order to ensure operational safety and prevent possible damage. The manufacturers offer maintenance contracts for this purpose, which can be concluded after installation.

Standards and literature

DIN 18065, Building stairs - Terms, measurement rules, main dimensions

DIN 18040-1, Barrier-free construction - Planning principles - Part 1: Publicly accessible buildings

DIN 18040-2, Barrier-free construction - Planning principles - Part 2: Apartments

DIN 18040-3, Barrier-free construction - Planning principles - Part 3: Public transport and open spaces

DIN 18385, VOB Procurement and Contract Regulations for Construction Services - Part C: General Technical Contract Conditions for Construction Services (ATV) - Conveyor Systems, Elevator Systems, Escalators and Moving Walks

DIN EN 81-40, Safety Rules for the Construction and Installation of Elevators - Special Elevators for the Transport of Passengers and Goods - Part 40: Stair Inclined Elevators and Platform Elevators with Inclined Track for Persons with Disabilities

DIN EN 81-41, Safety rules for the design and installation of lifts - Special lifts for the transport of passengers and goods - Part 41: Vertical platform lifts for persons with reduced mobility

DIN EN 81-50, Safety rules for the design and installation of lifts, Tests, Part 50: Design rules, calculations and tests of lift components

Technical rules for workplaces,  Barrier-free design of

workplaces Sample list of technical building regulations, Annex 7.1/1 to DIN 18065

► Nullbarriere

► Stairlift guide

Source: bauwion