Elevators or lifts are mechanical devices that can be installed in new or existing homes or commercial buildings to enable people or equipment to move between the floors of the building without using stairs. Elevators or lifts come in a range of models with varying features depending on requirements. Some things to consider when selecting an elevator or lift include:
- commercial or residential purpose
- space availability within the premises for the lift
- lifting capacity requirements
- space requirements within the lift such as height and width for use by one or multiple occupants
- whether a swing or sliding door arrangement is required
- capacity of the building to support a lift either internally or mounted external to the building
- whether the lift components can be delivered individually and assembled or whether the roof needs to be removed for installation
- how many floors the lift will need to travel through
- whether any excavation is required below the building
- power consumption requirements
- emergency operation options in case of power failure
- emergency stop buttons, alarms and telephones
- whether the lift needs to be lockable.
Any installation of an elevator or lift needs to be approved by local council and comply with Australian Standards, AS 1735, relating to lifts, escalators and moving walkways, and the recently updated Disability (Access to Premises—Buildings) Standards 2010.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For persons unable to utilise stairs due to mobility impairment, the use of elevators or lifts eliminates the access barrier to buildings as a visitor, consumer or employee. Elevators can be installed in existing buildings to overcome access barriers. Advice can be sought from an access consultant or building engineer to provide additional information regarding the potential suitability of access and building modifications:
For information about specific lifts or elevators see the links below:
References
Association of Consultants in Access, Australia Inc. 2010, Policies, Acts & Regulations, Association of Consultants in Access Australia Inc, Herne Hill, viewed 16 August 2011, http://www.access.asn.au/policies_acts_regulations.
Australian Building Codes Board 2011, Access for People with a Disability, Australian Building Codes Board, Canberra, viewed 16 August 2011, http://www.abcb.gov.au/index.cfm?objectid=73874801-28B9-11DE-835E001B2FB900AA.
Australian Human Rights Commission 2011, Access to Premises, Australian Human Rights Commission, online, viewed 16 August 2011, http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/access_to_premises.html.
Easy Living Home Elevators 2007, Home Elevators & Residential Lifts, Easy Home Living Elevators Pty Limited, Melbourne, viewed 16 August 2011, http://www.easy-living.com.au/home-elevators/.
Homelift Elevators 2011, Homelift Elevators, Homelift, Sydney, viewed 16 August 2011, http://www.homelift.com.au.