Chair lifts in Small Hotels

[stewbow]

Hi

Just wondered what the opions are re a couple of small hotels that I am aware of that are considering installing chair lifts.

Both buildings are ground, 1st and 2nd floors, and only have one staircase.

thanks

[kurnal]

Generally the common sense rule on a staircase used for means of escape must be that the stair is only suitable for a chair lift if the staircase is wide enough to allow persons to pass the stair lift if it is in use, or has failed with the seat  down. In a small building this would mean ensuring that a clear width of 800mm remains to pass the lift if the seat is down. Thats an unusually wide staircase for a small building. Its a bit of a problem but these things can also be very slow and may create unacceptable delays and risk to all concerned if installed without due consideration

[Dinnertime Dave]

In addition to kurnal`s comments I would add

As a general rule stairlifts should not be installed in single stair buildings. Stairlifts should only be installed in commercial and public buildings where it is not reasonably practical to incorporate a passenger lift in accordance with B.S. 5655 or, a powered lifting platform in accordance with B.S. 6440.

Also, the characteristics of a disabled person in a private dwelling can be identified and the installation can be tailored to suit the individual. The characteristics of the potential passengers on a stairlift in a commercial or public building will generally not be known. The stairlift cannot be tailored and the installation should allow for a wide range of disabilities. Installation, maintenance and insurance conditions should therefore reflect this.

The provision of handrails should not be compromised.

The installation may be subject to Building Regulations.

Having said all of the above i would still add 'Never say Never'

[nearlythere]

Hi

Just wondered what the opions are re a couple of small hotels that I am aware of that are considering installing chair lifts.

Both buildings are ground, 1st and 2nd floors, and only have one staircase.

thanks

I would think that Kurnal's point about common sense should be a very important consideration. If the stairway would only be expected to be used by a few people they obviously may not require a 800mm clearance. 800mm is quite a width for one person and bearing in mind that people usually walk up or down a domestic size stairway in single file then maybe 500mm clearance at lower limb level may be adequate in these circumstances.
Should the chair lift be of the sort where the seat and arm folds away completely when not in use or even if stopped mid stair and there is a reasonable clear width remaining then would it not be acceptable?
My main concern would be the tracks on the stairway which the lift runs on and the possibility of a trip hazard. However, the provision of plenty of mains and emergency illumination of the stairway should alleviate this.
I might assess this as being tolerable under the circumstances.

Although, one of the problems with common sense is that sometimes it is not very common.

[CivvyFSO]

800mm is quite a width for one person and bearing in mind that people usually walk up or down a domestic size stairway in single file then maybe 500mm clearance at lower limb level may be adequate in these circumstances.

Bearing in mind that someone of limited mobility may have used the chair to go up a couple of floors, and that the chair lift could be taken out of action in the event of a fire so that same person may need assistance back down in an evac chair, would 500mm still suffice in that instance?

And this "common sense" you speak of. Do they do courses in it? I am sure it would be popular.

[nearlythere]

800mm is quite a width for one person and bearing in mind that people usually walk up or down a domestic size stairway in single file then maybe 500mm clearance at lower limb level may be adequate in these circumstances.

Bearing in mind that someone of limited mobility may have used the chair to go up a couple of floors, and that the chair lift could be taken out of action in the event of a fire so that same person may need assistance back down in an evac chair, would 500mm still suffice in that instance?

And this "common sense" you speak of. Do they do courses in it? I am sure it would be popular.

I suppose it depends really on the circumstances. Providing facilities for disabled access is very difficult particularily in existing premises and especially small ones. Maybe a chair lift with an integrated battery backup, even if only to failsafe the chair to go down to the next floor level under control, might be a better solution.

Common sense courses? Self taught courses there are plenty of. Its just that very few people go.

[kurnal]

Yes it needs to be looked at as a whole. The reason for the 800mm recommendation is of course that it is the minimum width of a stair in ADB. But as you say a whole host of other factors need to come into the equation- each case considered on its merits.
We must remember that some of these things are incredibly slow taking several minutes for a single flight of stairs and if nearly at the top when the alarm sounds what is the sensible thing to do? If the alarm sounds it isnt practicable to heave the user out of the seat  halfway up the stairs and put them in an ambulance chair it will be safer for all concerned to bring them down on the stairlift.