Case study Incline platform lift makes the grade at school

Incline platform lift makes the grade at school

The installation of two wheelchair lifts at Woodingdean Primary School, Brighton, is a prime example of how leading UK accessibility specialist, EquiLift is helping to meet the growing need for wheelchair access in schools, colleges, universities and other places of education.

Although a single-storey construction, the 340-pupil Woodingdean Primary School is situated on a hillside location, meaning that the interior of the building is a two tier design.

The need for a stair lift arose when a pupil with walking disabilities enrolled at the school, and it was decided that the installation of a Tangent EquiLift incline platform lift at each of the two sets of stairs which link the school would be the ideal solution.

The disabled access lifts, which each operate along an eight-step run, are equipped with a handrail and side safety guard which both move automatically into place at the touch of a button, and the landing controls operated by a member of staff provide constant pressure with stop buttons and key switches to prevent unauthorised use.

The Education Services department of Brighton and Hove City Council specified the EquiLift product after a successful installation at another of the local education authority's school premises.

Gary Chapman, of Brighton and Hove Education Services, said: "We provide access facilities for wheelchair users in our schools in line with the DDA, and EquiLift was chosen on this occasion for the space saving design of the lifting platform, and because of our complete satisfaction with a previous installation."

The Tangent is suitable for a vast range of public buildings, including restaurants, theatres, town halls, office buildings and leisure centres, and its efficient design is an effective alternative to costly passenger lifts or long ramps which can both result in a loss of valuable floor area.

Application of the Tangent is appropriate for straight staircases, internal or external use, dual purpose wheelchair platform with fold-down seat or for one person in a wheelchair.

Fitted as standard are sensitive edges to the underside of the platform to halt the unit on meeting an obstruction. There are optional features including a special colour, fold-down seat and fully automatic platform and barrier arms, a vertical rise is also available where space is a constraint at the bottom of a staircase.