Unenclosed Vertical Platform Lifts

When choosing between a ramp and a lift, consider the needs of end users and the specific application. While ramps may seem like a cost-effective solution, they are not always the best option, especially for rises over 24 inches. Long ramps take up significant space, can be difficult for users with mobility impairments, and may lack dignity in accessibility.

Platform lifts, often perceived as only for wheelchair users, serve a broader range of people, including those using walkers, canes, or with other mobility challenges. However, public misconceptions and poor-quality installations have led to lifts being seen as a last resort. This has often resulted in low-cost, unreliable lifts that fail when needed most.

Ramps work well for very low rises (12–18 inches) if space is available, but for higher rises, lifts are more space-efficient and practical. While ramps can accommodate various users, including those with freight or strollers, a well-designed, durable platform lift can serve everyone reliably. Proper investment in high-performance lifts can add value to buildings and provide lasting accessibility, unlike cheap, poorly installed alternatives.

The two main types of lifts for accessibility are:

• Vertical Platform Lifts (VPLs): Move straight up and down to provide access between levels, such as from a porch or garage. Available in enclosed or unenclosed models with safety gates.

• Inclined Platform Lifts (IPLs): Travel along stairs, often requiring minimal construction. They take up less space and can serve multiple flights, with models for straight stairs or those that turn corners and navigate landings.

Yes, all our lifts are designed and installed to comply with ADA requirements as part of an accessible route, as outlined in ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

In new construction, their use is limited to specific cases such as performing areas, speaker platforms, seating dispersion, rooms for fewer than five occupants, courtrooms, outdoor dining terraces, and where site constraints prevent ramps or elevators.

ADA compliance extends beyond the lift itself to include the surrounding space, such as door approaches, ramps, and control placement.

No, key operation is no longer required under ASME A18.1a 2001 or newer standards, though it remains optional. The change was made because restricting access with keys didn’t enhance safety or reliability and often inconvenienced those the lifts were meant to serve.

Key systems were widely distributed, making them ineffective at limiting use to individuals with mobility impairments. Platform lifts are not for freight and should remain accessible to those who need them.

Building owners are responsible for maintaining accessibility while addressing security or misuse concerns. Alternatives to key operation include proximity devices, card readers, remote controls with surveillance, or systems that switch between key and keyless modes, depending on the setting.

Yes, you can buy a vertical platform lift (VPL) online, but doing so without professional guidance can lead to non-compliance and safety issues. A lift installed in Florida without permits or inspections exemplifies this problem—it was falsely labeled as "portable" to bypass regulations and lacked required safety features like platform and landing gates.

Online sellers may not inform buyers about permits, inspections, and compliance with standards like ASME A18.1 and ICC/ANSI A117.1. Proper installation also requires addressing structural, safety, and usability standards, which demand expertise.

Hiring a qualified local accessibility contractor ensures code-compliant installation, permits, inspections, ongoing maintenance, and liability coverage. Mislabeling a lift as "portable" does not exempt it from compliance if installed on an accessible route. For public accommodations, adherence to ADA and state laws is mandatory.