In public buildings, platform lifts with a vertical travel distance above 2m are required to be enclosed and should incorporate a door, gate or movable barrier.
Platform lift enclosures are not load-bearing and do not constitute structural 'lift shafts' in which conventional passenger lifts are typically installed. Platform lifts can be installed through-the-floor or free-standing, adjacent to floor level landing areas.
All lift doors and gates should open outwards onto an unobstructed landing and the location of
the platform lift and doors should allow for a clear space of at least 300mm between the leading
edge of the door and any return wall, unless the door is power operated.
The doors should be visually distinguishable from adjacent wall surfaces. This could be achieved by
painting the door and wall surfaces so that they provide effective
colour and luminance contrast.
Door handles should be visually distinguishable from the door and if the design includes large glazed
areas incorporated into the lift enclosure or doors, they too should be identifiable by people with
impaired vision. This can be achieved by applying markings or signage to the glass at two levels.
The markings should contrast with the background surfaces seen through the glass when viewing both into
and out of the lift enclosure.
The stations for calling the lift, opening the door or gate and activating the lift should be safe, simple
and accessible. Continuous pressure buttons are required to operate the lift which should also be key
switch protected.