I have dealt with the installation of all types of lifts for People with disabilities for the past ten years and have
had the same concerns as many of you over the use of constant pressure buttons.
That is why we have adopted a policy of using joysticks and the new type rocker switches on ALL types of lifts where required.
This has proved reasonably successful.
The use of non contact safety edges (reassure sensors ! ) on lift doors is a legal requirement under the DDA. It has been a requirement
to fit this type of safety feature whether contact or non contact for over 40 years. This only applies to powered not manual doors
The difference between conventional lifts and platform lifts is that the former are TOTALLY enclosed so there is NO
possibility of limbs becoming trapped. There is a greater risk of people trapping limbs on platform hence the requirement
for fail safe controls. (BS 6440 1999 7.7.)
Jim Neal
Lift Engineer
Greenwich Council
Samuel Chapman wrote:
> Those of you concerned about the fitment of 'constant pressure' switches on
> platform and other lifts, need to be aware that lift manufacturers like
> Phoenix (mentioned in my earlier posting on this thread) are also concerned
> that these will be outlawed and that the root cause of this is 'Two jags'
> (can't remember the politician's real name!) who is personally pushing for
> this regulation to be imposed, and if he get's his way, the needs of many
> disabled people will be seriously impaired. The fitting of ressure sensors
> on doors prevents people being trapped, which is quite a different function,
> and since lifts have to have other inbuilt systems which prevent the need
> for continuous pressure buttons, their fitment just inconveniences rather
> than enables their use. If a conventional lift can do without this type of
> button, why should it be imposed on disabled users, for whom it's going to
> make operating a lift, at best inconvenient and at worst, impossible!
>
> Disability groups (who don't seem to have any direct input to the making of
> these rules, or even know they might be going to be imposed!) need to be
> notified so they do not see this peculiar regulation effected. The
> particular Minister referred to needs to have a 'few' e-mails delivered to
> him, which after I have posted this, is just what my next action is going to
> be ...
>
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>
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