What is a Vertical Platform Lift?
A residential vertical platform lift is a wheelchair elevator lift without an enclosure. They are usually, but not always, installed outside to provide access to a porch or deck for a wheelchair or medical scooter user. These outdoor platform lifts are robust and can be used outside regardless of the weather, even in our extreme Canadian climates!
How Does a Platform Lift Work?
To use a vertical platform lift, simply roll onto the lift platform, push and hold the lift button to raise to the deck or porch level and then roll off the lift. Most vertical platform lifts allow for about 3'-4' of travel, but some can go as high as 12' if your deck is that high. You'll want to get the shortest vertical platform lift possible for the amount of height you need.
Why Not Use a Ramp Instead of a Platform Lift?
Vertical platform lifts take less space than a ramp system. A vertical platform lift installation requires roughly a 5′ square space no matter what height it’s required to climb. A ramp’s size footprint increases significantly with every step it needs to climb, so space can become an issue if there are several steps to clear. If you use a manual wheelchair and your primary caregiver isn't strong, pushing you up a steep ramp incline may be extremely difficult, so in this case a vertical platform lift would be a much simpler and safer solution.
Are Platform Lifts Safe?
A vertical platform lift, when installed properly, is quite safe and can be easily operated by one person, just like an elevator. If you can move yourself in your mobility device and hold down a button, you can operate a platform lift without the assistance of a caregiver.
On the lift platform there is a small control panel with an emergency stop switch, an up and down switch and a key switch to power up the vertical platform lift. The unit will not work without the key, so you don’t worry about kids, or others using your outdoor platform lift without your permission. Under the lift platform there is a safety pan which, when it comes in contact with an obstruction, will immediately stop the lift from descending and avoid accidents.
Most residential vertical platform lift systems have call/send switches which can be installed at the top, bottom, or both locations. Installing a switch at the top means you’re able to send the platform lift down when not in use, preventing debris build-up under the lift. Having a switch at both ends of the platform lift is useful when there is more than one user and it can be called up or down if it is in the wrong position.
There is a short metal ramp that folds up when the platform lift is raised, providing a safety barrier so you don't roll off the vertical platform lift when it's in motion. It is also important that a gate is installed at the top to eliminate pinching while travelling downward. This gate also guards against falls off the deck when the vertical platform lift is in the down position.
Please note: While residential vertical platform lifts look similar and work in much the same way, there may be differences in their size and capacity. Keep in mind the platform lift will need to lift you, your wheelchair or scooter and possibly a caregiver so make sure you factor in all these weights to determine the lift strength of the vertical platform lift you'll need.
We would love to help you increase your independence and safety by discussing a vertical platform lift installation for your home or business. Contact us by submitting the form below and we'll be happy to help you discover the possibilities or even provide a wheelchair platform lift rental solution!
