Commercial inclined platform lifts: a wheelchair lift that rides the stairs

What an inclined platform lift is

A vertical platform lift moves straight up in its own footprint. An inclined platform lift mounts a rail along a staircase and runs a folding platform up and down that rail, the way a stairlift carries a seat, but sized and rated for a rider who stays in the chair. The platform, its side arms, and the loading ramps fold against the wall when parked, so the stair keeps most of its width for walking traffic and for egress.

The lift we install is the Savaria Delta: 550 lb capacity with a 660 lb option, up to 80 feet of rail on a single straight flight of constant slope, 15 to 20 feet per minute, battery powered with charging at the parking points so it keeps running through a power outage. Entry is straight through or at 90 degrees. A motorized fold and call stations at each landing are available, along with a weather-resistant finish for a covered or moderate outdoor stair.

Where an inclined lift fits, and where it does not

It fits a straight single flight of constant slope with a wall or posts to carry the rail, enough stair width that the folded lift leaves the code-required clear width for egress, and room at the top and bottom landings to roll on and off. Typical examples: the stair from a church narthex down to the fellowship hall, a school stairwell to a half-level wing, the stair to a second floor office, and a mezzanine stair in a public building.

It does not fit a stair with a landing, a turn, or a winder. The Delta is a straight-stair lift, and we do not currently offer inclined platform lifts for curved or multi-landing staircases. For those, a vertical platform lift in a nearby location, often a Savaria V-1504 in a framed hoistway, is the answer, and we look at both at the site visit. Where only a single rider who can transfer to a seat needs the stair, a commercial stairlift costs far less; the inclined lift is for riders who stay in the chair.

Cost compared with a vertical lift and an elevator

An inclined lift avoids the pad, pit, and hoistway a vertical lift needs, so its site work is mostly the rail supports and a circuit at the charging points. On a long rise it can be the lower cost of the two platform lift options, and both are a fraction of what a LULA or passenger elevator costs, since an elevator needs a hoistway, a deep pit, a machine room, and fire-rated construction. Commercial inclined lifts cost more than their residential versions because of the call stations, the door and gate configuration, and the state permit and inspection. The exact figure depends on rail length, entry type, and options, and we quote it in writing within 24 hours of measuring the stair, with the permit and initial inspection as their own line.

Code and permits for inclined lifts

Inclined platform lifts are covered by ASME A18.1, the same safety standard as vertical platform lifts, which Pennsylvania adopts through the Uniform Construction Code. The ADA Standards allow platform lifts as part of an accessible route in existing buildings and in other specific situations, and require operation without an attendant, with unassisted entry and exit, and reachable controls. In a commercial building that means a Department of Labor and Industry permit with plan review before the order, a local building permit, installation, an acceptance test performed by our technician and witnessed by a certified elevator inspector, and a Certificate of Operation before use, followed by periodic inspections.

The stair-specific questions an inspector asks are the clear width that remains when the lift is folded and the landing space at each end, so we measure those first and show them on the drawings we submit. Read more about permits for a wheelchair lift.

Installation on a working staircase

The rail mounts to the wall or to posts set on the stair, so there is no concrete and no framing beyond blocking in the wall where it is needed. Installation takes two to five days, and the stair can usually stay in use for walking traffic for most of it. We fit the parking points where the lift is least in the way, set the call stations, test the obstruction sensors and the safety edges, and walk the building staff through the fold, the manual lowering, and the emergency stop before the inspection.

We serve churches, schools, offices, and public buildings from Etters across Dauphin, Cumberland, York, Lancaster, Lebanon, Adams, and Franklin counties, and Maryland buildings in Carroll, Frederick, and Washington counties. For vertical lifts and the full range of commercial options, see commercial wheelchair lifts and the pages for churches, schools, businesses, and municipal buildings.

Start at the overview: commercial wheelchair lifts covers the lineup, the code, and the permit process in one place.

Other building types

• Wheelchair lifts for churches
• Wheelchair lifts for schools
• Wheelchair lifts for businesses
• Wheelchair lifts for municipal buildings

Commercial lifts by city

• Commercial wheelchair lifts in Harrisburg, PA
• Commercial wheelchair lifts in Lancaster, PA
• Commercial wheelchair lifts in York, PA

Residential lifts are on the vertical platform lifts page and the full lineup on all platform lifts. Related reading: what a vertical platform lift is, ramp versus platform lift. Or call (717) 219-7976.