Why planning early saves time and stress
A platform lift is a simple idea: a safe floor that moves people between levels. The hard part is getting every small detail right so it fits the building and works every day without drama. Good planning turns a lift from a headache into an easy win. The aim here is to walk through the whole journey, from first sketch to handover, in plain terms. No fluff. Just what matters on site and in the drawings.
Set a clear goal before drawing anything
Start with one question: who will use the lift, and for what? That answer shapes size, type, speed, and position. If the lift serves a wheelchair user and a helper, plan for a car large enough for both. If it serves a small shop with prams and stock trolleys, think about door width and turning space. If the lift serves a school or clinic, consider steady, quiet travel and simple controls. When the goal is clear, choices fall into place.
Map the route and size that actually fit
Walk the path the lift must take. Where does the journey start and end? Can a person roll or walk straight in and out, or do tight corners force a turn? Keep the route flat and obvious. Check door swings so they help, not block. Measure ceiling height, floor thickness, and any beams. Make a rough box on the plan that matches the lift footprint. Add room for doors, frames, and a safe working area.
Early in this step, teams often speak to uk experts in platform lifts to sanity-check sizes, travel height, and door layouts against real products. A five-minute check here can prevent rework later.
Pick the right type for the job
“Platform lift” covers a few designs. Choosing the right one keeps the build simple.
- Open platform lift: short travel or where an open feel helps. Good for a few steps or one floor.
- Enclosed platform lift (cabin style): travels inside a shaft or its own self-supporting structure. Better when people need to feel enclosed or when travel is more than one level.
- Drive methods: screw and nut drives are common in platform lifts and are neat for low speeds. Hydraulic drives are smooth and can handle heavier loads but need space for equipment. Traction drives use counterweights and can be efficient on taller travel.
Keep the use case in mind. Short, simple routes suit compact systems. Longer runs or busier sites benefit from enclosed cabins and automatic doors.
Plan for power, alarms, and controls
Platform lifts do not draw huge power, but a clear electrical plan saves on-site rewiring. Place an isolator near the lift. Confirm the supply (single-phase or three-phase) during design, not on delivery day. Decide on control positions so a user in a chair can reach them easily. Include an emergency alarm that rings to a staffed location and a backup battery so the lift can lower safely during a power cut. Small details like button height and tactile markings help many users, not just a few.
Coordinate with the rules that matter
In the UK, accessibility falls under Building Regulations Approved Document M (often called Part M). It sets out what a building must do so people can enter, move around, and use it. Platform lifts are one helpful way to meet those aims when a ramp is too long or space is tight. Platform lifts are also designed to relevant standards for safety and performance across the industry. Fire strategy lives in its own rulebook, so doors, lobbies, and call points must tie into the fire plan for the building. The smooth path here is to share the lift layout with the building control officer and the fire engineer early. Clear drawings and one short review save days later.
Sort the structure: pit, headroom, and openings
Even “low-impact” lifts need some building work. Three things always show up on site:
- Pit or ramp: Many platform lifts need only a shallow pit. If digging a pit is not an option, plan a small threshold ramp. Make sure the finished floor matches the door sill cleanly.
- Headroom: Measure from floor to ceiling at the top landing. The lift still needs space for doors and panels. Keep services—ducts, pipes, cable trays—out of this zone.
- Wall openings and support: Cut clean openings for doors and make sure the wall or frame can take the loads. If the lift comes with a self-supporting shaft, confirm how it fixes at each floor and at the base.
A site survey by the lift supplier helps fix these points on paper before anything gets cut.
Drawings that actually help on site
Good drawings are short, clear, and match the real space. A simple pack should include: a plan at each landing, a vertical section, door details, power points, alarm routing, and any builder’s work. Put dimensions to finishes, not raw structure, because that’s what the carpenter and floor layer see. Add a tiny legend that explains symbols and levels. Then name files with version dates so no one uses an old sketch by mistake.
Timeline: what to expect without guesswork
Lift projects move in a few clean steps:
- Design and sign-off: agree size, travel, doors, finishes, and power.
- Survey: confirm site measurements against the drawings.
- Manufacture: the lift is built and tested off site.
- Builder’s work: form openings, prepare the pit or ramp, route power and alarm lines.
- Delivery and installation: bring in the lift, assemble, and wire.
- Testing and handover: safety checks, user training, and paperwork.
Keep a simple checklist that tracks these steps. One page pinned in the site office avoids confusion and repeats.
Keep other trades in the loop
A lift touches many teams: builder, electrician, fire alarm engineer, joiner, decorator, and sometimes the glazing crew. Share the lift schedule with them at the start. Book the electrician to fit the isolator before the lift arrives. Book the fire alarm contractor to test the alarm the same week as commissioning. Ask the decorator to leave final paint until after installation, because edges and frames often need a light touch-up. This order keeps everyone moving instead of waiting.
Noise, ride quality, and finishes
Most modern platform lifts are calm and quiet when installed well. Fit rubber pads where the frame meets the floor, check fixings, and align doors so they close cleanly. Choose finishes that suit daily use: scratch-resistant panels, clear floor edging, and vision panels so people see who is on the other side of the door. Good lighting inside the car makes the space feel safe. Simple signs at each landing make it easy to find the lift during busy hours.
Safety checks that actually mean something
Safety is not a sticker on a panel; it is a list of small checks done well. Confirm the load rating covers real use, including a powered chair and helper. Test the emergency lowering. Test the alarm and make sure someone answers. Check door sensors and hold-to-run controls where used. Keep a log of these tests with the handover documents. When the building is open to the public, these records are not just smart—they help prove everything was done right.
Handover that people remember
A good handover is simple. Show staff how to call the lift, help a user in, and use the controls. Explain what to do if the power fails. Share the contact for service and the service interval. Keep the manual, inspection sheets, and keys together in a marked folder near the lift. A small laminated “how to use” card by the call button helps new users feel calm on day one.
Maintenance that keeps the lift ready every day
Platform lifts need regular care, but it is not heavy. Clean door tracks, keep the area clear, and book routine service with trained engineers. If a strange sound appears, report it early. Little issues are easy to fix when caught in time. Record every visit and test in the logbook. Buildings change—floors get new finishes and walls get moved—so review clearances if the area around the lift is altered later.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Three errors cause most delays:
- Late power: the lift arrives but there is no live supply. Fix by booking the electrical work two weeks before delivery.
- Tight openings: door frames clash with walls or rails. Fix by checking drawings against finished sizes, not raw openings.
- Missed fire tie-ins: alarms or smoke seals get planned after the fact. Fix by looping in the fire engineer at the design stage.
None of these are hard. They just need attention before anyone orders parts.
Clear takeaways and next steps
Choose the right size and route for real users. Lock the type early so structure, power, and doors match. Share clean drawings with every trade and confirm the fire strategy on paper. Book power, builder’s work, and commissioning in the right order. Test, train, and keep the logbook tidy. With these steps, a platform lift goes from first sketch to daily use without drama—and the building becomes easier for everyone to move through.
Comments are closed.