Reasons to Not Self-Install A Stair Lift

Posted on April 29th, 2008 in Installation by StairLift

The common misconception that most people have when they have to buy a stair lift believes that self installing it will be very easy. There are several suppliers of stair lifts via the internet that also pushed the idea that makes it seem that installing the stair lift is easier than most people think. However several reasons why no one should self install stair lifts do exist as facts. There are retail companies for stair lifts which promotes self installing the stair lift too. The buyer then has no choice but self install it and there is no way to make sure that the installation was proper and safe. Most suppliers veer away from installation services so they can keep the prices low enticing many customers to buy. This has become a trend in marketing the stair lifts nowadays.

A buyer may save a lot of money at first but self installing the stair lift will only give unnecessary risks for possible accidents. There is a risk for costly repairs in the future because the retailers never give a warranty. There is one organization that highly cautions the public in self installing the stair lifts even the ones that are new and have just been manufactured, this group is the Accessibility Equipment Manufacturer’s Association.

AMEA educates the public that consumers who self installs stair lifts are not complying to the standards set to claim the installation was done in a safe way. There is a standard that stair lift installations should also conform to like operational standards for safety and the other regulations and codes for safety.

The AMEA tells the buyers to purchase only from suppliers or dealers who has good reputations and who can offer the installation too. Dealers who can provide the installation are sure to have received the proper training from those who supplied the stair lifts. The training will provide the awareness of the proper requirements for both the national and local safety codes. The common codes are NFPA70 which stands for the national electricity code, the a18.1 and ASME a17.1.

Most consumers don’t know that these regulations and codes should be met first in training before a person can do installations. Many local governments also ask for dealers to get the proper permits and licenses before doing an installation. Any dealer not getting the license is also not abiding by the law.

There is much pressure that the dealer should conform to these policies because an ordinary person would not know such necessities in buying stair lifts. The technician installing therefore should have also attended the training seminars for the right knowledge of installation practice for stair lifts.

Another point is that the dealer who did not install the stair lift can easily dismiss complaints. Warranties are always given by companies which provide stair lift installation service which covers the possible maintenance costs. Self installing a stair lift may save money in the beginning but can pose dangers to the home and to the person using it eventually.

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Uses For Vertical Stair Lifts

Posted on April 20th, 2008 in Chair Stair Lift by StairLift

Many people who are very healthy can certainly do several activities in a day without giving much effort. A lot of us take walking and running for granted and we don’t realize that there are many people who cannot even do these anymore. This huge population has also earned a place in the market with the trend for many varieties of stair lifts. One of the emerging types in the market available today is called the vertical stair lift.

There is a growing market for the handicapped and products that give them mobility and accessibility is continuously gaining popularity and demand. In buildings today we can see elevators for handicapped or ramps for the wheelchairs. There are other equipments that are out in the market for easier mobility for those with wheelchairs. The vertical stair lifts for people on wheelchairs have been made for their convenience in places without elevators too.

Vertical stair lifts for the wheelchairs are very useful for the handicapped people because they can just stay sitting there as they are lifted. The vertical stair lifts are commonly electricity powered or pulled by a system made up of hydraulics. This type of lifts can also be utilized in many occasions like the following.

1. The vertical lift allows any person on wheelchairs get more accessibility right in the homes they own because it can allow the person to elevate in any part of the home like the steps coming from the path leading to the porch found in front of the house.

2. The vertical lifts can be apart of the stage in a huge convention center or auditorium so that people with disability on wheelchairs can also easily gain accessibility on stage. Nowadays many schools and different institutes had them installed to help students and people faced with this challenge.

3. There are still buildings with elevators that cannot be occupied by wheelchairs so vertical stair lifts are a good alternative in solving this problem. Many old buildings opt for installing vertical stair lifts and not ramps because of the logistic advantage it gives.

In USA due to the act for the disable known as Disabilities Act, most of the old buildings without these lifts should install to follow the ordinance. Vertical stair lifts should be placed in an area with enclosures and a platform where the wheelchair stays. The walls of that area will avoid any movement when lifting. Another version is the shaftway type which can fit like most elevators.

Stair lifts provide not only mobility and more independence for the handicapped person but equality for all as well.A vertical stair lift can be the best solution for buildings that cannot accomodate installation of elevators.

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Introduction to Acorn Stair Lifts

Posted on April 12th, 2008 in Brands by StairLift

As we all know today stair lifts are designed to help handicapped or the old people who have a hard time managing the stairs even in their houses. Nowadays there are many manufacturers of stair lifts already like Acorn. There are many models of stair lifts to choose from Acorn. Each has its own unique design and purpose to meet the particular need of a person with disability or an elderly.

Almost all stair lifts anyone can see were made for indoor use in the comfort of their homes. Today there are stair lifts made for outside use too. A stair lift can always guarantee comfort and a feeling of independence for the person with disability or the elderly at home. Acorn produced stair lifts that can assure a safe travel of anybody using it and managing the stairs at home.

Acorn have been making thousands of this wonderful innovation for many years now and have been providing stair lifts not only in USA but in other parts of the world as well.

Almost all stair lifts made by Acorn that can be bought today are operated with batteries. They have made them this way so there is no need for cabling which can be very messy. The power that makes it work can be found in one box that is inside the lift’s chair. Many consumers have attested that rides on an Acorn stair lift is very smooth particularly the starts and the stops. The possibility of power outage is no hindrance in using the stair lift as well since the batteries are rechargeable. The stair lifts they produce comes with a warranty that lasts a lifetime. The following features are also one of the best in the market:

1. The paddle controls are user friendly.
2. It can display the status digitally
3. A smooth ride up and down
4. The switch can be isolated and locked
5. The swivel seat is foldable as well as the footrest.
6. The remote controlling have an infra red
7. Built with sensors and the brakes works well in a mechanical system
8. It can operate quietly.

Acorn has taken pride that they have helped improve the lives of the people using their stair lifts. They feel grateful that they have assured the customers of living a comfortable life like the way they have known it before. People cannot imagine the suffering of an old person or a disabled person until we have reached that stage. When people get older we then lose our ability to move actively and the mere task of going up the stairs and back down becomes a risky challenge.

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Basic Information about Outdoor Stair Lifts

Posted on April 12th, 2008 in Chair Stair Lift by StairLift

Many houses nowadays are designed with areas for the patio or viewing decks which are mostly accessed by stairs and are found outside for viewing. People who are disabled also miss this pleasure of enjoying this part of the house. They have great difficulty accessing the staircase for these areas and can also be dangerous without a stair lift. A stair lift made for the outdoors has been invented to answer to this need. Today there are several choices to choose for the right stair lift for the areas outside the house like patios.

Parts of the Outdoor Stair Lifts
Every stair lift is made up of four parts that are basic; the train that drives the stair lift, the track, the chair and the chassis. Drive trains are found inside the stair lift’s chassis and are also made up of pulley and a few gears that can make it move along its track. Drive trains can be operated by the cable, pinion or a rack. The system that is run by pinion system and rack system makes use of gears and the rail has a tooth like appearance. The ones that are on a cable system make use of the strength and quality of the cable typically from aluminum that is tied on the pulley also inside the lift’s chassis.

The track is the part of the stair lift that is installed on the stairs and it provides support for the weight of the system like the seat and the chassis and ultimately the one riding it. Many stair lifts already has the tracks with gears made for the cable, pinion and rack systems. Chassis of stair lifts is also made up of a motor run by electricity that can lift the rail. The chair is also installed above the chassis and it can be folded up when it’s not being used.

Other factors are also considered when a stair lift is going to be installed on the stairs. Dealers usually ask the type of material the steps are made from. The concrete type of steps will need another kind of fastener different from the steps made of wood. A correct measurement of the stair’s length should also be accurately obtained to have the correct length for the track and thereby getting a good quotation from a supplier or a dealer.

Since most outdoor stairs are straight a straight stair lift is also needed which is also considerably safe and less expensive. However the owner also has to secure the track and the chassis by sealing it to avoid damage from the elements outside. The chair should also be made of vinyl with a marine type to last despite the moisture of the area and the sun’s rays. Chairs for outdoor stair lifts also have covers from protection when the rider is not using it.

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