FAQs About Lifts & Elevators In Your Home

FAQs About Lifts & Elevators In Your Home

When should you consider installing a lift or residential elevator?
Lifts and residential elevators are typically used when the vertical change between two or more floor levels is significant and there is not enough space to construct a ramp. It is usually impossible to find space for a ramp inside a house if the change in floor levels is more than 200 mm (8 in.).  Lifts are also frequently used outside residences and in garages for access from the exterior ground level into the house.

Again, lifts are typically used if there is not enough space for a ramp, if the vertical change is so great that the ramp length would be excessive or if a resident or caregiver cannot negotiate a ramp.

Do I need a building permit?
Other than for the simplest stair lift installations, you will likely need a building permit. It is important to note that a building permit is necessary whenever the installation of a lift or residential elevator requires structural changes to the house or affects safety systems such as stairs, fire separations, guardrails and so on.

Are there standards, licences and inspections?
Lifts and residential elevators should be regularly inspected and serviced. Lifts in residences do not have to meet any specific safety standards. They do not need a licence and there is no legal requirement that they be inspected.

Residential elevators may have to meet specific safety standards. They may need a licence and they may need an inspection. Call your municipal office and ask a building inspector about safety standards, licensing and inspection for residential elevators. Lifts and residential elevators should comply with the latest Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards.

CSA standards for lifts and residential elevators:

• CAN/CSA-B355-00 Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities
• B355S1-02 Supplement #1 to CAN/CSA-B355-00, Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities
• CAN/CSA-B613-00 Private Residence Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities

What type of maintenance is required?
Lifts and residential elevators are mechanical devices that can break down and therefore need regular servicing. Maintenance is generally complex and should be done by an expert. Purchasing a maintenance contract from a reputable supplier is a very good idea.

What about cost?
As with all construction, cost can vary significantly depending on the equipment, materials and finishes that you choose, as well as the configuration of the existing house.
Cost may vary significantly, depending on site conditions, market conditions and inflation, among other factors.

To make your dollars go further, consider buying from a company that sells refurbished equipment. Residential lift and elevator equipment is frequently recycled, providing a reliable, cost-effective and environment-friendly solution.

Where do I start and who can help me?
The design of a lift or residential elevator installation is typically complex, involving architectural, structural and electrical elements. It is not a project to be tackled by a handyman.

One starting place is lift and residential elevator manufacturers or local medical equipment suppliers. A home visit is always required, at which time the supplier makes recommendations about the feasibility of different types of lifts and residential elevators. It is always a good idea to have a health professional, such as an occupational therapist, present for the site visit, to ensure that the type of device being recommended will meet your current and future needs.

You can also start by consulting an architect, an interior designer or another design professional who is familiar with the design of accessible residences. During the design, work with the designer and a knowledgeable health professional to determine the best type of lift or residential elevator to meet your needs.

The access route
Regardless of the type of lifting device chosen, careful consideration should be given to the route used to reach the platform. There should be a clear and level area at least 1,525 x 1,525 mm (60 x 60 in.) in size right in front of the platform. Preferably, this area should be 2,100 x 2,100 mm (83 x 83 in.), particularly for scooters and larger wheelchairs. Ideally, there should be at least 600 mm (24 in.) of clear floor space adjacent to the latch side of the door or gate.

The Platform size
Vertical and inclined lifts incorporate a platform—the floor surface of the lifting device.

Taking into consideration the needs of all family members and visitors will help you decide on the device size and floor space required.

If you use a wheelchair or scooter, you should carefully measure the length and width of your mobility device and choose the platform size accordingly. If you use your wheelchair in a reclined position or if you use footrests, be sure to measure the chair while you are seated in a comfortable position. Remember also to include space for your caregiver or assistant if you require one

Safety considerations
Recommended safety features for lifts and residential elevators include:

• interlock mechanisms on doors and gates
• a manual system in case of a power outage or a mechanical malfunction
• sensors that prevent the lift or elevator platform from crushing objects that may be underneath it
• a backup system
• safety gates at locations where there is a drop-off when the lift or elevator platform is at a different level
• handrails on platforms
• proper lighting
• an emergency telephone or other on-device communication system.

A lift or residential elevator should never be used in an emergency. In an emergency, there may be a loss of power to the device, the elevator shaft may become contaminated with smoke, or the lift may take you into greater danger. Always plan another way of leaving each level of your home.

Strategies might include ramped exit routes or areas of refuge—areas of relative safety for use in an emergency situation, where people with limited mobility can await evacuation. In a residence, an outdoor balcony, deck or patio can be an area of refuge, as long as there is an accessible route to get there from inside the house.

Contact your REALTOR at Coldwell Banker Vantage Realty for more tips and advice on how a lift or elevator in your home can effect the price of your home.

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