Stairlifts

[JC100]

Hi,

Could anyone tell me or point me in the right direction to finding out the minimum width of a staircase in a sheltered scheme? We need to fit a stairlift in a communal stair in a sheltered scheme as a temporary solution whilst repairs are undertaken to the lift? The building has two staircases and the proposed lift will only be installed within one.

Thanks

[nearlythere]

Hi,

Could anyone tell me or point me in the right direction to finding out the minimum width of a staircase in a sheltered scheme? We need to fit a stairlift in a communal stair in a sheltered scheme as a temporary solution whilst repairs are undertaken to the lift? The building has two staircases and the proposed lift will only be installed within one.

Thanks

Approved Document B - Vol 2  Vertical escape should get you started.

[Phoenix]

This sounds like it would be classed as an institutional building so Table 6 of ADB would tell you that you need a minimum width (after accounting for the stairlift) of 1000mm.  If not an institutional building then 800mm.  (I think it's unlikely that you will need to refer to Table 7.)  Either way, that is the guidance for new buildings and, presumably, yours is not a new building so you are at liberty to make a judgement (bearing in mind the guidance for new builds) as to what would be an appropriate minimum width given the precise circumstances of the case.  Pragmatism is often called for in such cases.

The CLG guide for Residential care premises states, "stairlifts should not be used for emergency evacuation. Where installed in a stairway used for emergency evacuation, no parts of the lift, such as its carriage rail, should be allowed to reduce the effective width of the stairway or any other part of an emergency evacuation route."  I don't really understand how it would be possible to install one of these without reducing the effective width at least slightly.  However, the rails only protrude a small way into the width of the stairs and the housing locations for the seats should be such that they do not form an obstruction.

Stu

[kurnal]

What is the evacuation strategy for the area of the building involved? Is it within an area with a stay put strategy?

When you say temporary is it to be taken out on completion or is it likely to be left in situ as a reserve? If the latter it is worth taking extra care to minimise the impact on the available width of the stair.
You should consider the available width with the seat stowed and it would help if the  stairlift has battery backup so if the power fails mid way at least the cycle can be completed.

If there is a full evacuation strategy then we must ask the question how persons who use the lift to access the upper floors can be safely evacuated in an emergency.

Dont overlook the CLG guidance, which whilst not directly relevant to stair lifts sets out some useful considerations

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/322721.pdf

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/guidanceemergemcylifts.pdf

[Midland Retty]

How many floors will be served by the stair lift?

[jayjay]

will this  extract from the British Standard help? appreciate this may be a temporary measure but guidance is given on stair minimum width when in use.


[b]BS 8300:2009+A1:2010Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people –

Code of practice

8.3.6 Stairlifts

Stairlifts should not be installed in new buildings. Stairlifts for existing buildings should only be installed where it is not possible to install a conventional passenger lift or a vertical lifting platform.

NOTE 1 Prior to the installation of a stairlift in a public building, the building control authority and the fire authority should be consulted to ensure that means of escape are not compromised.

Stairlifts, whether for seated, standing or wheelchair users, should conform to ISO 9386-2.

NOTE 2 BS 5776:1996, Annex A gives information on the use of stairlifts in buildings other than dwellings. A European standard for stairlifts, pr EN 81-40, is in preparation.

Chair stairlifts should only be installed where it is not practical to install a wheelchair stairlift.

NOTE 3 Chair stairlifts might not be suitable for many people with impaired mobility. On the other hand, wheelchair stairlifts with lowering guard rails or flip-up seats do not suit all people who have difficulty walking.

NOTE 4 Where, in an existing building, a stairlift is required for a known person, e.g. a member of staff, the type of stairlift needs to be chosen to suit their particular needs.

Stairlifts for public buildings should ideally be located in sight of a receptionist or another member of staff in case users get into difficulty, and should be fitted with an alarm that conforms to the requirements of ISO 9386-2.

The controls of a stairlift should be designed to prevent unauthorized use (see ISO 9386-2).

For a building with a single stairway, the clear stairway width for means of escape should be maintained between the carriage rail of the stairlift and the handrail opposite.

For a building with two or more stairways between storeys, a stairlift should only be installed on a stairway that is not intended to be used as a means of escape.

When in a parked position, a stairlift should not obstruct the required clear width of a stairway, or cause a potential hazard for blind and partially sighted people using the stairway or the adjoining landings.

There should be a minimum clear width of 600 mm between the folded down platform of a wheelchair stairlift and the handrail opposite.

NOTE 5 In some buildings, the requirements for means of escape given in the Building Regulations 2000, Approved Document B [16] and its equivalents in Scotland [17] and Northern Ireland [18] might demand a greater minimum clear width.

[JC100]

Thanks all for your comments so far. The building is 2 stroey and operates a stay put policy, the stairlift is temporary and will be removed on completion of works to the normal lift.

[kurnal]

It sounds like one of those situations where you have to make a balanced and pragmatic judgement. Sometimes you have to recognise that other health safety and welfare considerations have to take priority over fire safety issues. In such circumstances of course you dont throw the fire safety guidance out of the window but follow the principles as far as you reasonably can in the circumstances and document the reasons why you came to the conclusions that you did.

It might be a good opportunity during the lift refurbishment to review the provisions for the escape of wheelchair users in the long term.