Hi Mike, this is going to sound very negative but I have spent years trying to address this issue. I have come to the conclusion that it is intractable. (sp?).
First some facts.
1. Disabled persons have a right, (almost an absolute right), to use buildings and services (DDA, various parts).
2. Current fire safety law, and certainly future law, (RRO) will make it crystal clear that the 'responsible person' has a duty to all people using a building over which he/she has some control.
3. Building Regs make it virtually certain that disabled people will be able to get into a large majority of blgs.
4. Disabled persons, especially in wheelchairs, struggle to manage stairs and can delay the evacuation of others. However, many disabled persons are happier to bumb down a few floors on their bums rather than be dependant on some well meaning policy.
5. Current fire safety advice says don't use lifts. (unless fully adapted).
The upshot of all this, and much, much more is that the government/business/society is not prepared to underwrite the cost of providing fire evacuation lifts in a huge number of buildings.
Am I wringing my hands and saying nothing can be done? Not really, what you are doing is probably all that could 'reasonably' be expected but you yourself acknowledge the shortcomings.
This issue has been discussed extensively on this forum in the past and eventually each thread grinds into exhaustion.
Perhaps a lift installer could estimate the cost of a hybrid system. Do we really need the whole dual power supplies etc. After all, in any estimation of risk the chance of a mobility impaired person being in the lift when the single power supply fails must be fairly low. (Unless of course you are the one).
