Stair lift is assistive technology system which is able to lift people and all forms of wheelchairs manual and electric up and down between platforms on different levels. Besides transporting wheelchairs, stair lift can also be used to transport heavy stuffs up the steps. This has helped to reduce the troubles faced by goods movers as they can use the lift to carry goods up the stairs. Due to its multi-functionality nature, stair lift can often be found in major public and commercial buildings where goods and wheelchair users often have access. Cheap used stair lift are often put up for sale when old commercial buildings are to be torn down. Stair lift can be rented, bought or even buy a second hand stair lift from a previous owner. New stair lift cancost more than three thousand dollars whereas a used stair lift costs almost half as that depending on its manufacturer, condition and warranty.
Stair lifts operate by being pulled along rails which are made of aluminum and steel molded in to different shapes such as straight and curved. The rails are held in place by metal brackets and fixed to the stairs. Generally, there are two kinds of rails used for stair lift. Straight rail used stair lift and curved rail used stair lift. Straight stair liftwhere the rails are straight are used for the common stairs where the slope is constant. This kind of stair lift is easy to deploy as it is straightforward. They are usually installed at the side of the steps where there is support from the walls or handrails that are hinged to the floor.
Curved rail stair lifts are not so direct compared to straight rail stair lift. These are usually for stairs that are winding or curved upwards. Due to this reason, curved rail stair lift often have to be customized to user needs based on the gradient of curve and overall structure of the stairs. Curved rails usually cost more due to the more man hours required . Used curved stair lift are rare but can still be found if you search through the local directory and have one import from other parts of the country or world. Stair lift will start from fixed to moving and cause a jerking movement. Straight stair lift and curved stair lifts have different speed with the former slightly faster as it is a straight travel. Stair lifts with curved rails tend to travel slowly and users can dictate the speed at the curves as it is usually dangerous and unstable for wheelchair users when moving around bends found in the rails.
There is also the wheelchair platform stair lifts. This kind of stair lift is slightly different as it uses a flat platform to hoist the wheelchair and goods up the stairs. Think of a lift that ascends in a slanted manner and you get the platform stair lift. The flat platform can actually be folded against the wall to save space when not in use. When deployed, wheelchairs users and trolleys will be moved on the platform and the surrounding flaps moved up to prevent the wheelchairs from rolling out. In the case of platform stair lift, the rails have to be exceptionally strong as it is only hinged at one edge and yet have to support the platform as well as the heavy wheelchairs it carries.These are designed according to user specifications similar to curved stair lift.S
Stair lifts have to satisfy safety codes and should have cut out switches and safety edges. These safety features once triggered by obstacles in the path of the moving stair lift will automatically cut off the power to the stair lift, rendering it to stop immediately. As a stair lift is multipurpose and serves possibly anyone, safety of users are paramount. Guidelines related to safety codes are provided by local governments to people who wish to understand more.
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