Adding a Residential Elevator to Your New or Existing Home

 

 Commercial Options for ADA Compliance

Whether you are working on a new build project, or refurbishing an existing building, the question still arises- what kind of accessibility equipment is best for the project at hand?

There are so many options to bring the building up to code. How do you pick the correct one?

First, we need to figure out which parameters meet the needs of the project. Here is a list of things to ask while in the design phases.

1. How far of a rise do we have to travel?

2. What is the weight capacity needed?

3. How many stops must the unit travel?

4. How many times will the unit be used daily?

Having the answers to these questions before doing research can be very beneficial to you and the potential Team you will be working with for the project. 

From here, you can easily narrow down your options. The list below is a good reference of what product will suit your needs best. 

Vertical Platform Lifts

• Maximum travel distance of 14 Feet
• Travel Speed cannot exceed 30 FPM
• Constant Pressure Controls
• Must Have 79" of Clearance Throughout Travel 
• 750lb Capacity

Enclosed Platform Lift

• Maximum Travel of 14'
• Can accommodate multiple landings within the 14' Rise
• Travel Speed cannot exceed 30 FPM
• 750 lb Capacity

Limited Use Limited Application Elevators (LULA)

• Overhead-
• New Construction - 132"
• Existing construction - 106"
• 1400 lb Capacity
• Maximum of 25' of Travel
• Can accommodate up to 6 stops

All Three of these options can be used in Places of worship, performance areas and speaker platforms, residential spaces, in spaces where existing site constraints of where the exterior site conditions make the use of a ramp infeasible. 

Important Resources in New York State

The Access Board

• The Access Board was created in 173 to develop accessibility standards. These standards are issued by the DOJ, and the DOT. This is a great resource for any ADA compliance questions that may arise. 

ADA Accessibility Standards (enhanced single file version) (access-board.gov)

ADA.GOV

This site provide the technical standards and information for Accessibility Standards. Another great, free resource to use during the project planning phase.