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Page 10 : Width
of stairs
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Width
of stairs
A stairlift can be installed in most homes, all
stairlifts on sale in the UK are fitted to the tread of the
stairs, normally screwed through the carpet. (Certain
wheelchair lifts may be wall fixed in public buildings). The
most common problem which prevents installation, is the width
of the staircase. In theory a lift will fit onto a
staircase that is 690 mm (27") wide. In practice the user
may not be able to use the lift because there is insufficient
clearance for their knees. Most people will require about 750
mm (29½") to be able to operate the lift comfortably. A
useful tip is to place a chair at the bottom of the stairs
with the back touching the wall. Sit on the chair as far back
as is comfortable and pull your knees as close to the edge of
the seat as you can. You should then be able to estimate how
much clearance you would have if you installed a stairlift in
your home. If you have open banisters, they should be
re-instated for the safety of other users. Spindled banisters
may also present a hazard, if the user is unable to hold their
feet on the footrest. It may be desirable to in fill them with
a sheet of perspex or mdf.
This diagram shows the dimensions of one manufacturers
straight lift, but you must also allow for the size of the
user when calculating if a lift will fit.
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