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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Safety Regulation on Stair Lift Installation

Posted on August 23rd, 2007 in Installation by StairLift

Prior to the installation of lifting devices, there are certain regulating factors to be considered to ensure its safety use and to meet the mechanical and technical requirements for its efficient use. Since majority of stair lift comes in alternating current (A/C) power supply which is generated from household electric power, shock hazards is a major priority on stair lift installation to prevent the occurrence of its danger. Because of this potential hazard some states apply stringent installation regulations on stair lifts.

In every installation regulation on stair lifts, safety is given as the prime important factor to consider, as most of its users have fragile conditions which calls for the need to use stair lift device. Some states differ with their installation regulations on stair lift devices. Some leniently allow persons to install it themselves while some strictly impose to meet the requirement on stair lift installation done by competent or licensed person. States such as Michigan, Oregon, Washington and Connecticut are known states that apply strict policies of installation regulation on stair lift devices. The way to ensure what installation regulation applies to your county is to contact a local dealer or authority to know more about the installation regulations that applies where you live.

Residential care homes that frequently employ stair lift as one of their needed facilities provides guidelines on installation regulation of stair lift. These equipments are required to be subject for inspection every 6 months as part of its maintenance. The examination scheme is conducted by a skilled person usually done by an engineer or insurance company surveyor. A report is made available for recommendations and inspection. The lift installation and operation must be well planned, supervised by highly competent persons and with a devised plan for safety function.

Installation regulation of stair lift equipments includes the ensuring of the presence of safety devices such as seat belt, the built in obstruction sensors to stop the lift in the presence of a blocked pathway, a swivel seat lock that secure the lift in place as one gets in and off the lift to prevent occurrence of untoward accidents while using the lift. Health and safety hazards should be considered when servicing the stair lift such as precaution from drilling injury and inappropriate use of installation tools, falls, following the correct manual procedures, observance of safe working practice and the use of necessary protection such as safety glass worn by the lift installer.

Ocular inspection of the site for other obstructions is required prior to beginning the installation process. Make sure existing damage on the area that may cause obstruction are noted for repair. Check lists are helpful tools to ensure quality in completing the installation process without overlooking important aspects of consideration needed for efficient installation. Sensor and stopping devices must be checked for functionality.

It is of utmost importance embodied on the installation regulation of stair lift not to attempt to proceed with the installation even at the slightest sign of safety threat. Always make a test run to observe the efficiency of stair lift installation to give quality assurance to its users.

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