Short Description

A stairlift may be an option for a person who is unable to climb stairs and lives in a double storey home or access to their home is up a flight of stairs. A stairlift consists of a chair (stairchair), a small platform for standing on with or without a small seat for perching. A wheelchair platform stairlift has a large platform to accommodate a wheelchair. It operates on one or two rails / tracks up and down a wide flight of stairs.

Models

Stairlifts are powered lifts mounted on stair fixed tracks which follow the line of the stairs. The track can usually be sited on either side of the stairs. Both curved and straight tracks are available. Straight tracks are about half the price of curved tracks.

Seated Stairlifts
These are the most common type used in a domestic setting. The majority of users are able to walk, but find it difficult to negotiate the stairs. The person must be able to sit safely on the seat during transit and transfer on and off at the top and bottom of the stairs. A swivel seat and lift up armrests will make transfers onto and off the seat easier. The swivel seat can be manually or electrically operated.

Walking sticks may be carried on the stairlift, but if the person uses a larger walking aid, it probably cannot be carried on the stairlift and therefore two aids will be required - one at the bottom and one at the top of the stairs. The same applies to wheelchairs.

Standing Stairlifts
These can be used by people who are able both to walk and to stand while travelling up and down stairs. These may be preferred for narrow staircases or if the person has difficulty sitting. These stairlifts usually have one or two guard rails that the user can hold on to during transit.

Perching Stairlifts
Perching stairlifts are very similar to standing stairlifts except that they provide a small amount of additional support underneath the buttocks. Therefore, the user is transported in a perching position i.e. between sitting and standing. These stairlifts usually have one or two guard rails that the user can hold onto during transit.
Stairlifts with a Wheelchair Platform
The wheelchair user is able to remain in their wheelchair while negotiating
the stairs.

Although most of the platforms fold up against the wall when they are not in use, this type of stairlift takes up a lot of room on the stairs and many domestic stairs may not be wide enough to accommodate it.

More Details

Types of Controls
Always ensure the height, position and type of controls will suit the user
*Can they use a constant - pressure button?
*Can the stairlift be operated in isolation by a key - activated switch?
*Are the controls mounted on the stairlift, and wall - mounted at both ends of the track?
*If it is a platform stairlift, does it have a safety switch?
*If it is a platform lift, is a remote control an option?
Ease of Folding
*Is the platform folded electronically or mechanically?
Maintenance
The Australian Standards AS1735.7 recommends annual maintenance
*Is an annual maintenance contract available?
Motor
*At what speed does it travel?
*How noisy is it when in operation?
Capacity
What is the load capacity? Remember to include the weight of the wheelchair, if relevant, when calculating the total weight capacity.
Transferring
Stairchair
- what is the height of the seat?
- is it a fixed or swivel seat?
- does it have lift up armrests?
- always ensure the user's mobility aid is available at each level
Platform lifts
- what is the direction of entry / exit
- is there an optional seat?

*Does the stairchair have a seat belt?
*Does the platform lift have gates and rails?
*Is the surface of the platform lift slip resistant?
*Is there a manual lowering device for emergency situations?
* Does the chair / platform have a sensor which stops the operation when it encounters an obstacle?

Factors To Consider

*The building design / structure
*The total height and distance to be traversed
*Whether the user needs to be transported in their wheelchair
*Is it for indoor or outdoor usage? An outdoor model will need to be waterproof.
*What power source is available? Is it mains powered or battery powered. Check if the batteries automatically charge when not in use
*Are the stairs curved, straight or spiral? The installation costs of a curved or spiral rail will be more expensive.
*The overall cost
*Straight track stairlifts may be suitable for resale later.
*A person with a condition that may cause their function to deteriorate should consider what the best long term solution will be. Although they may be able to use a seated stairlift now, it may be wise to consider installing a through floor lift so that the future option of travelling in a wheelchair is available.

These are general suggestions - If you experience considerable difficulty in performing activities of daily living, consult an Occupational Therapist at a Community Health Centre or Aged Care Assessment Team, or make an appointment with the ILC.

Installation

INSTALLATION OF STAIRLIFT RAIL / TRACKS
Stairlifts
. These can be installed on either side of the stairs and be stair or wall mounted
. A minimum clear stair width of 850mm is required.
. As a stairlift narrows the stair width, the stairwell must be a minimum width between the platform or footrest in the unfolded position and the opposite structure. This should be 50mm in a residential setting, and 300mm in a public building. A minimum head clearance of 2000mm is also required along every position of travel.
For standing stairlifts a minimum of 2.2m head clearance is required.

. Top landing should be at least 850mm squared (if the stairlift chair rotates only 45 degrees onto the landing, only a small landing is required, if the chair rotates 90 degrees onto the landing, a larger landing is required).

Platform stairlifts
Minimum stair width requirements: 1100mm in a home
1500mm in public areas

The unit must be able to move up and down the stairs with no obstructions or intrusions into the required overhead space. Minimum height: 2400mm

In NSW the owner or controller of the lift (if not the owner) is required to register their lift with WorkCover. They need to complete Form PL2 Application For Item Registration of Lift / Escalator and Moving Walkway. A fee of $65 is charged for a lift installed in a public place. There is no fee for a stairlift installed in a private residence for use by a person with a disability. The applicant must state that the plant has been inspected by a competent person and is safe to operate (use).

It is recommended that the lift be inspected annually by a competent person. WorkCover requires payment for registration as well as an annual fee.

Request further details from the supplier or contact WorkCover Plant Registration Unit.

It is an offence to operate plant that is not correctly registered under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001.

Standards

Specific Australian Standards or other Standard(s) may be applicable for materials, manufacturing processes, or installation of some types of equipment. Compliance with relevant Standards is indicated by written certification that a product has been tested and assessed as compliant with specific Standards. Purchasers are advised to check with the supplier or manufacturer of this item as to its compliance with relevant Standard(s).

Relevant Australian Standards for this Category
AS1735.7-1998 Stairway lifts