Platform lifts and stair lifts for barrier–free access

1.1

This Standard specifies minimum requirements for the design, construction, installation, and operation of platform lifts and stair lifts that provide barrier-free access for persons with limited mobility, travelling between fixed points of a building or structure, including a private residence, with a view to safeguarding against risk of accidents associated with the operation of such equipment.

1.2

This Standard addresses requirements for

a) enclosed vertical platform lifts;

b) unenclosed vertical platform lifts;

c) stair lifts;

d) enclosed stair platform lifts; and

e) unenclosed stair platform lifts.

1.3

This Standard provides recommendations for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of platform lifts and stair lifts for barrier-free access (see Clause 11 and Annexes A and B). This Standard also provides non-mandatory guidelines for relocatable lifts (see Annex E).

1.4

This Standard does not apply to elevating devices addressed by ASME A17.1/CSA B44 or to portable equipment.

1.5

This Standard does not address location of, access to, and usage of the lifts specified herein.

Note: These factors might be regulated by the enforcing authority.

1.6

The provisions of this Standard are not intended to prevent the use of systems, methods, or devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety to those prescribed by this Standard, provided that there is technical documentation to demonstrate the equivalency of the system, method, or device.

Note: Authorities having jurisdiction may permit modifications to this Standard provided that technical documentation or physical performance verification can assure the safety equivalence of such modifications to the corresponding requirements of this Standard.

1.7

In this Standard, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (nonmandatory) to define their application.