subject: When Stairs Are No Easy Chore [print this page] For most of us, we can go up and down stairs as we please. However, for handicap individuals this is not an easy chore. With the design of handicap lifts this chore has now become manageable for most all handicap individuals.
Handicap lifts are designed for all areas that a handicap ramp is not practical. Areas that are close together, or that have steeper than normal stairs are all practical places for handicap lifts to be installed.
As the American With Disabilities Act has mandated, it is now required that all public buildings have handicap accessible entrances. As a result, building owners are always on the lookout for the most efficient way for them to provide access to their handicap visitors.
Handicap lifts provides many benefits which a ramp cannot. First off, it can be installed almost anywhere that an entrance is located. These lifts are designed to sit on the ground floor. Once a handicap individual rolls onto the ramp, a door is shut to ensure the individuals safety. The handicap individual will then press a button and the lift will transport the individual from the ground to the entrance of the building.
It is important for all of these lifts to be regularly monitored and maintained. Due to the fact that there are many moving parts involved in handicap lifts, the risk of failure to one of these parts is substantial. The risk of failure can be significantly reduced if a trained repairman comes in at least once a year to check and replace any parts that they feel are not performing well. Not only will this ensure the maximum efficiency of the handicap lift but it will also greatly reduce any liability concerns that may arise if the lift fails while an individual is using it.
In todays litigious society one cannot be too careful in ensuring that their visitors are safe. This cautious approach is especially important when the reliance on mechanical devices is needed.
As an added precaution it is a good idea to install safety straps on the handicap lift. These straps will go around the wheelchair in an effort to further stabilize the individual as they are traveling up or down on the lift.
Using the best possible equipment to ensure the efficiency of a building is always the right thing to do. This should be especially apparent in catering to individuals who are handicap.
