Commercial Stair Lift: Viable Alternative to Ramps

Posted on July 30th, 2008 in Chair Stair Lift by StairLift

Most countries have laws that require public places like commercial centers, malls, airports, train stations, schools, hospitals, and places of worship to provide the elderly and the handicapped a means to access these places. In fact, the construction blue prints for these structures must already include a provision for handicap access. Otherwise, the government will not issue the required building permit. The most economical option to comply with the handicap accessibility requirements of the law is by installing commercial stair lifts in public places.

A commercial stair lift is basically a motorized platform that travels over a straight flight of stairs to carry wheelchair-bound people from one floor level to another. These can be installed on the right or left side of the stairs and its tracks are attached to the walls. While it has internal switches to allow the rider to operate the lift, it also has wall-mounted call-send controls at top and bottom of the stairs, which can be independently used. Its heavy-duty AC motor usually runs off the standard electrical outlet of the building and is powerful enough to carry a load of up to 500 pounds up to 20 feet of stairs at a speed of 20 feet per minute.

Generally, commercial stair lifts are not fitted with swivel seats because it does not address the accessibility needs of wheelchair-bound patients and other handicapped people who are unable to bend their knees. On the other hand, a stair lift that is fitted with a platform can accommodate wheelchair-bound people, cane-users, those on crutches the elderly and other people who are too weak or handicapped to climb up or down the stairs.

The technology and mechanism of a commercial stair lift is just like a stair lift chair that is installed in residential housing units. They run on the same aluminum tracks; powered by the same electric motor; operate under the same rack and pinion drive system; and, have the same “soft start and soft stop” technology that gives the lift the smooth gliding action as home stair lifts. The only difference is that commercial stair lifts have heavy duty mechanism to withstand the wear and tear of constant public use. A commercial stair lift is cheaper to put up than constructing a fixed ramp alongside the stairs. Moreover, it has installation flexibility in the sense that it can be placed anywhere inside or outside the building premises.

While a commercial stair lift is generally very safe and useful mobility equipment, some security precautions should be exercised by installing the lift in an area where no unsupervised children will stray inside and play with the lift and mount the controls high enough so that no child can reach it.

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Choosing a Straight Stair Lift for your Home

Posted on July 28th, 2008 in Home by StairLift

The most cost effective way to provide the elderly and the less than fully able access between the floors of their home is through a stair lift, which is simply a power driven chair that runs along a track mounted at the side of the stair case. And, if there are no bends or curves above, below or at the mid-point of the stair case, then a straight stair lift is perfect for the homeowner.

Most of the staircases that consist of a straight flight of steps can be fitted with a straight stair lift, which is much cheaper than a curved stair lift because it is easier to install. Another plus factor is that there is a wider range of brand new and reconditioned straight stair lift models and brands to choose from than curved stair lifts. While the price of straight stair lift models are kept down because of the many competing models, choosing the right brand, model and supplier can become a bit difficult and confusing.

If you are keen on having one installed in your home, a technician from the stair lift manufacturing company will visit your house to assess if your staircase can actually be fitted with a straight stair lift. To accommodate a straight stair lift there must be no projections and obstructions of any sort at any point of the staircase. Generally, the staircase must have a width of at least 24 inches and if you plan to have a stair lift that would fit a wheel chair instead of the regular swivel seat, then the width of the staircase must be at least 36 inches. After inspecting your staircase, the technician will inform you what sort of a stair lift can be installed in your house, make estimates on how long will the installation take and subsequently submit a formal price quotation.

At this point, you might want to get several quotations from different straight stair lift manufacturers and suppliers for both brand new and reconditioned units. On the basis of these quotations, you can compare prices, features, warrantees, and length of installation period. In choosing between a new and reconditioned unit, remember that the trade-offs do not only revolve around the price. As a general rule a reconditioned unit is cheaper than a brand new one. For a straight stair lift, however, the price difference may not be much, unlike in a curved stair lift where there is a large price difference. The price for reconditioned units goes down the older the model gets. One big advantage of a brand new stair lift over a reconditioned model is that the homeowner gets peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that breakdowns and repairs are less likely to occur within the normal economic life span of the equipment.

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Basic Types of Stair Lifts

Posted on July 27th, 2008 in Home by StairLift

There are many options when trying to find the stair lift that will best cater to the needs of the user. There are basically two kinds of stair lift. The Straight stair lift and the curved stair lift. The straight stair lift is made for the houses with a straight stair case. This kind of stair lift has a part installed where the feet can rest when it is stopping at the final step However it is also possible for a straight type to carry on some provisions that the curved type has.

Most of the stair lifts are either curved or straight. The Straight stair lift is made and designed for homes with straight stair case. The lift’s footrest usually stops at the topmost level. The second kind and the more costly kind is the curved stair lift. It is the type where the stairs should be measured. The stair lift should be able to move around the staircase’s bends.

A straight stair lift is typically installed with some parts being used as extended legs so after the ride it will halt in the main landing. Most of the straight stair lifts can be folded and the buyer can choose to have more hinges for another person. The buyer can also choose for an electric powered platform so there is no need for folding it after use.

The curved stair lift is really more costly and the disadvantage is that it cannot be sold again except to a stair case with the same length and number of bends. In other words the stair case should be very much the same as the one it was installed to previously.
A curved stair lift can be made to fit exactly equal sides of the homeowner’s stair case. The layout of the stairs is the best basis for knowing what stair lift is really best hence the price of a curved type of stair lift varies because it is customized for the stair case of the buyer.

Usually the companies require the buyers to pay a deposit which is usually around thirty percent of the total cost. The deposit is needed because these companies also guarantees building the stair lift’s rail which can only be used for one kind of stair case only. Buying a standard stair lift usually does not require the buyer’s deposit because the stair lift can be always be later sold to another person’s staircase if it has the same measurements.

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Sabre Stair lifts in United Kingdom

Posted on July 26th, 2008 in Brands by StairLift

If you have an elderly or a handicapped member in the family then you know that a stair lift will be a big help.
The person using the stair lift will gain more freedom by having more accessibility.

Stair lifts made by Sabre can provide consumers with a complete line of service that are sold at an affordable price. Each stair lift Sabre makes is customized for every customer since the company does not want to cater only one brand of stair lift. The clients usually have requirements that Sabre wants to fulfill. Sabre sells stair lifts with good quality that are either brand new or refurbished equipments. They sell this along with a warranty to serve the consumers better. Their company can efficiently buy equipments at a much discounted price which their customers also benefit from since their prices are affordable.

Sabre sells stair lifts mean for curved stairs and straight ones. The stair lifts are ideal for the home, companies and other establishments which don’t have elevators. The customers can choose the color and style they want so that it would fit with the design of the room. They can also select from the different choices of accessories for the stair lift which includes the controls and joysticks.

The discretion of buying a brand new stair lift or renting one will depend on the situation of the user. Sabre also offers stair lifts for rent. Sabre has advisors that can help possible clients come up with an informed decision. They will tell the inquiring client of the options they have. Renting the equipment may be a good decision for others than actually buying one. Sabre can provide the stair lifts for rent but they can only give this service for those with straight stairs. Renting the stair lift can help the customers save more especially if the user only needs it for a certain period of time. Most people who need to recuperate from an injury also rents stair lifts.

The rental option is not too different from buying a new one because Sabre still handles maintenance of the stair lift. The customers will not feel the burden of the cost because they can also pay in a month to month basis. The rental starts with fifty pounds for one month in the United Kingdom. At first and additional fee will be added to cover the installation cost and the payment to remove it in the future. Sabre gives a six month contract for the rental.

If you are in United Kingdom you may want to try Sabre stair lifts. They offer brand new lifts, refurbished and stair lifts for rent. It can be the best thing you can give your family member who needs more accessibility.

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Benefits and Uses of Elevator Stair Lift

Posted on July 25th, 2008 in Home by StairLift

Elevator stair lift is a modern technology of providing transport of individuals with difficulty on ascending and descending the floor. The box contraption of the elevator stair lift provides a more secured accommodation for its passengers. It further has a steel railing on four corners which give security and safety to individuals using the elevator stair lift.

The elevator stair lift has a secured door and convenient ramp to allow easy wheeling of wheel chairs and a passage way of smooth surface. The parts of the elevator stair lift include study platform, motor lift, corner rails and the lifting cables.

Elevator stair lift can be installed temporarily and is easy to relocate. The lift can be operated by a motor with a piston like action or run by an automatic jack. The elevator stair lift operates with a smooth and quiet action that prevents unsteadiness during lifting without the unnecessary noise.

Because the main function of an elevator stair lift is to provide assistance to disabled individuals it operates in such a way that it gives its users comfort, safety and convenience.

Elevator stair lifts are commonly seen in hospital settings where it provide convenient means of transporting patients on bed or in wheel chairs to transfer from one floor level to another such as when going to an x-ray room or laboratories that are located on a different floor than the patient’s room.

Elevator stair lift is usually installed near the stair case and offers a more comfortable means of transport of patients. But most often the elevator stair lift is used to transport patients to up to two floors only and any floor more than this will usually require a regular elevator for transport.

It can also be used for residential use in lieu of other forms of stair lifts. Individuals who need transport assistance within one floor to another but are already on a wheel chair will usually necessitate the use of an elevator stair lift.

Transferring to a chair stair lift from a wheel chair can impose inconvenience to an individual therefore the use of an elevator stair lift is a more better option than the chair stair lift. The elevator can also be operated with a remote for operating convenience and it also comes with a wheel strap for safety measures.

The household is also able to enjoy additional benefits such as transport convenience of laundry, heavy baggage, loading groceries and moving furniture from one floor level to another.

The use of an elevator stair lift provides flexibility in use on various settings such as in hospitals or residential with relatively more convenience and benefits to its users.

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An Overview of a Stair Lift Device

Posted on July 23rd, 2008 in Home by StairLift

The stair lift is a transport technology that helps provide assistance to people with difficulty climbing up and down the stairs such as the aged, individuals afflicted with varying problems such as arthritis, leg fractures, uncoordinated balance and other symptoms that make mobility difficult towards the stairs.

People with this difficulty are susceptible to fall accidents. In order to prevent the occurrence of accidents on stair transport and to enhance the mobility of individuals afflicted with conditions that makes walking the stairs more stressful and difficult, the installation of a stair lift offer a good option to remedy this problem.

Stair lifts come in various types with different brands but all stair lifts are designed with a single purpose and that is to provide transport safety on the stairs. This mechanical device operates on a track that is inclined on the stairs with a chair to sit on.

The stair lift is attached on the steps of the stairs making drilling on the walls unnecessary. The stair lift chair is run by a pinion or a cable system. It is designed with safety features and a sensor that ensures nothing is blocking the stair lift track. Modern stair lifts are operated with a two way remote control for call and send features that are suitable for multiple users.

When purchasing a stair lift device a top priority to consider is safety. It is important to buy quality stair lift devices that will ensure safety, reliability and efficiency of its operation as the main purpose of a stair lift is to provide safety transport to individuals with debilitating conditions.

It is also important to look for safety features of the stair lift device as well as ensure the proper installation of the stair lift to avoid untoward accidents or any inconveniences later on. It actually pays off to purchase stair lift devices from a reputable manufacturer which assures the quality and guaranteed warranty of the purchased stair lift device.

Buyers should also consider the stair lift type being operated by either a direct or alternating currents. The direct current stair lift operates with a back up battery which assures the stair lift user that they are guaranteed with continuous operation of the device in case of a power shortage.

The direct current stair lift however may require extra cost but it equals to a more reliable and efficient operation of a stair lift device. It is also important to ask the manufacturer or the dealer regarding the maintenance involved of the type of the stair lift device one is buying.

Buying a stair lift device can always give safety convenience to individuals who need transport assistance on the stairs. Stair lift buyers should consider several factors that will give them quality stair lift model with the combination of quality, reliability, efficiency, safety and convenience.

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Ameriglide Stair Lift: Simple and Practical

Posted on July 21st, 2008 in Brands by StairLift

Ameriglide Stair Lifts are designed to be safe and dependable in lifting people or wheelchairs up and down the staircase. Ameriglide focuses on making straight stair lifts.

Ameriglide Stair Lifts are all straight since the main goal of Ameriglide is to provide customers with dependable but cheap and easy to mount stair lifts. By estimate, one Ameriglide stair lift can be installed within two hours by any person who has little DIY (do-it-yourself) ability. So, if budget is limited but one needs a high quality stair lift, better buy an Ameriglide stair lift.

The high-tech cable drive of an Ameriglide stair lift is used to move along the track the chair. The cable of Ameriglide stair lift does not move does not need to be lubricated and does not touch against itself. In effect, Ameriglide stair lift is very quiet, safe and low maintenance. Other stair lift competitors have a drive system that uses rack and pinion which should be lubricated and cleaned consistently to keep it from breaking apart. Gear teeth are hazards for a child who may consider going into the rack area.

Ameriglide Stair Lift uses an aircraft cable that is thicker than the traditional (3/16 compare to 1/8 diameter). The thickness allows the cable to carry up to 4200 pounds which is important for safety.
Ameriglide Stair Lift has two major types. These are the (1) mains AC and (2) battery DC stair lift. Each type provides specific advantages depending on one’s needs.

The Ameriglide Electric Stair Lift is so easy to setup. There is no need for special wiring. Just an available outlet is enough to plug it in. The electric-powered Ameriglide stair lift is chic in its ivory finish and vinyl upholstery in light almond. The seat can be fold up and the footrest can be flipped up to give space to others who are using the stairs.

The electric-powered Ameriglide Stair Lift is recommended for those who have to use the stair lift so many times a day (at least 20 times). The power of a battery is dependent on its charge capacity thus a battery-charged stair lift needs to be recharged for some time to continue functioning.

The Ameriglide Battery Stair Lift has batteries that are maintenance free and recharge automatically. The battery-powered Ameriglide Stair Lift has no circuit boards that are sensitive to vibration, very delicate, and increase possible failure. The significant benefit of a battery-powered stair lift is it can be used even when there is power outage.

Ameriglide Stair Lift has made its name because of its simplicity, highly reliable stair lifts and practicality of designs. One only has to distinguish which Ameriglide stair lifts suited his needs.

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A1 Stair Lift for a Better Life

Posted on July 19th, 2008 in Brands by StairLift

The elders would prefer to be independent only if possible. That’s why A1 Stair Lift has designed a way where older adults can move about and do their regular routines. The ground-breaking A1 Stair Lift are innovative and are created to fulfill the wishes of elders to painlessly and smoothly travel from floor to floor and avoid the risk of injury from accident.

A1 Stair Lift provides chair lifts that modernize the lifestyles of elders in a variety of ways. The laborious minutes of the elders in ascending to stairways are gone. There’s no need to worry of the body’s condition since there’s no way that the elders will hear again their leg joints and knees click, pop and grind whenever they need to lift their legs and knees and reposition the body for this physical activity.

A1 Stair Lift is the only maker of stair lifts that provide the finest and most dependable electric stair lift and chair lift apparatus at practical and affordable prices.

A1 Stair Lift has several famous brands. A1 Stair Lift represents Summit, Acorn and AmeriGlide. All of these devices are designed and made with the user as an inspiration in mind. The handicap lift functions are created to be safe and efficient in any places of dwelling and all homes. The manufacturers of these famous stair lift brands are even creating custom-made lifts for curved stair cases to seamlessly equip any home.

If a customer has a limited budget, A1 Stair Lift also offers reconditioned stair lifts with warranty so there’s no need to worry when the lift starts failing to function well. Also, A1 Stair Lift has rental options.

Renting a stair lift is perfect for those who prefer to try first what it is like to be on a stair lift before really buying one for good. Also, rental option is recommended for people who are going to use it temporarily.

A1 Stair Lift has also bring to light their customers through its fast, free and friendly consultation. The customer service of A1 Stair Lift is very knowledgeable of the products and the company’s business model. This is the reason why customers are contented and are patronizing the products. A1 Stair Lift also offers a minimum of six months warranty once a product is availed from them.

A1 Stair Lift offers the freedom to move freely around one’s home. The customer has a lot of options to choose from the products and offers of A1 whether for a lifetime or for a short period of time.

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Acorn Stair Lift: Top Mobility Solutions

Posted on July 17th, 2008 in Brands by StairLift

Every where, you will find people crying out for equality. Every little thing must offer the same brand of effect no matter what age, sex, size, shape, social status, and racial background you may have. Equality is harder to achieve, however, among those who have limitations. That is a given.

When it comes to physical disability, it cannot be helped that the handicapped are able to enjoy fewer opportunities. That is because their physical limitations keep them from being independent and mobile, two things that are important in too many instances. That is a problem no more with our updates in technology making way for amazing tools of convenience.

The stair lift is such a wonderful product that offers convenience like no other to those who are physically challenged to do a lot of things. It is mostly electrically engineered to provide accessibility and mobility in such a fashionably cool manner. The stair lift makes a handicapped feel good about himself by giving him the independence to move around with or without company. It helps greatly in building his self-esteem to do things the way normal peopled does. It keeps his mind away from having limited access to success just because he is stuck on a wheel chair.

Acorn, a leading brand in stair lift technology, spells convenience for the handicapped like no other. It carries a long line of products that answers the need for a normal life despite the disability. An Acorn stair lift stands out above the rest by offering the same brand of convenience in such a sweet, stylish package. Every Acorn stair lift is made with a carefully crafted design that provides the same purpose without sacrificing your space’s fashion sense. It is mostly battery-powered so you will not have to worry about messy cables. This also means that you could have the time of your life going up and down the stairs even when there is shortage in power. An Acorn stair lift runs even when electricity is out.

What’s more, an Acorn stair lift boasts of smooth lifts every single time. The company claims that its products are the smoothest lifts available in the market at present.

If convenience and accessibility for the physically challenged are what you are looking for, search through the host of stair lift products that Acorn offers. They are widely available for viewing with a just a click of the mouse. That is the first step of getting to your best choice.

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Basic Guide to Stair lifts and Stair Climbers

Posted on July 15th, 2008 in Chair Stair Lift by StairLift

A handicapped person usually is confined in just a single space with some barriers for accessibility everyday. It is good that these days there are many devices that a person with disability can use to overcome barrier for more mobility. One of the challenges a person with disability continuously face is the problem of accessing the stairs. The best solution is having a vertical lift installed in the home where he is usually staying. A vertical lift is already similar to a mini elevator. There are other options besides vertical lifts and these are stair lifts, lifts that shortly rises and stair climber. These are three devices for accessibility and each has a different purpose answering various needs of handicapped people.

1. A stair lift is also viewed similar to a chair. There is a stair lift however that has no seat. Stair lifts are chairs that run on the track that has been mounted on both sides of the stairs. The typical stair lift works with batteries and can be remotely controlled. This device gives some independence on the user while managing the staircase.

2. The stair climbers usually need that help of another person like a nurse. Generally there are 2 kinds of stair climbers, the stair climbing type for the wheelchair and the mobile type. The mobile type works with batteries that can be recharged. It can have a seat fully attached so that the user will feel comfortable. The stair climber unlike stair lifts isn’t connected to the stairs itself. The stair climber can even be used outdoors and with any kind of stairs. It is possible to use the stair climber outside the house on any other type of staircase. The caregiver must be familiar in operating the stair climber and should know how to adjust its controls especially when navigating on an unfamiliar staircase.

Stair climbing wheelchairs are operated with the features of enabling the wheelchair to manage the stairs but the house should also have the requirements for the stair climbing wheelchair. The stairs’ steps must be equal to avoid the climbing wheelchair to halt at any point in the travel.

There are lifts which rise for a short distance only. This is good for the places where the difference between the ground floor and the floor upstairs is small. Making a wheelchair ramp is not also possible because of the limited space. They are similar to elevators for the shorter distance only.

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