Disabled Access Lifts by Terry Lifts

BS 6440:2011 - Powered Vertical Lifting Platforms having non-enclosed or partially enclosed liftways, intended for use by persons with impaired mobility - Specification

Following 12 months of intense consultation and redrafting, the new BS 6440:2011 was submitted to the BSI (MHE/4) for their approval. All comments received were considered and the draft standard was approved for publication.

This now means that the latest standard in the public domain is BS 6440:2011. This is the standard which should be referred to for all new lift applications that fall within its jurisdiction. The document was published August 31 2011

For Specifiers, Purchasers and Users of platform lifts, the major changes are highlighted below:-

Significant Amendments

1. Scope

• Open platform lift permissible up to 3000mm travel
  • No requirement for full height door or enclosure
  • Contravenes Building Regulations, however, they are due to be amended

8. Liftway

• Adjacent surfaces greater than 100mm and less than 300mm from the carrier, which do not form a continuous vertical surface, shall have a safe edge along that side
• Lift travelling within 10mm is acceptable (without a handrail) if a smooth, vertical continuous face to 1100mm above lifting height is provided – no other protection is required
• Adjacent surfaces greater than 100mm and less than 300mm from the carrier, which do not form a continuous vertical surface, shall have a sensitive edge.
• Unprotected small projections up to 1.5mm are permitted with square edges. From 1.5mm to 5mm with a 15^o vertical chamfer on all edges

This reduces clearance of trapping hazards from 150mm to 100mm and allows smaller footprint for our step lift enclosures but increases it to 300mm when the enclosure walls are not vertically continuous.

*enclosure walls forming a continuous vertical surface

NB – It is still a requirement that for any lift travelling within 10mm of a smooth, vertical face that the face extends continuously up to 1100mm above the upper level

9.1 Carrier Construction – protection of access sides

• Public Access Applications
  • A carrier gate / barrier shall be provided at the lower level access side of the carrier, with dimensions as follows:-
  • For travels up to 1000mm, the gate / barrier shall be 900 -1100mm high and shall have an intermediate bar and 100mm high kick plate
  • For travels over 1000mm the carrier gate / barrier shall be not less than 1100mm high and shall have an intermediate bar and 100mm high kick plate

For many years Terry lifts have mounted the argument that no public access lift should be installed without a carriage gate. Now this argument has been recognised by both the BS6440 authors and the CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers) Guide to Vertical Transportation. The introduction of this standard will mean that users can be assured of travelling in safety even when unfamiliar with the environment they find themselves in.

9.10.3 – Carrier construction for domestic use – the new BS 6440 standard differentiates Domestic applications and continues to sanction the use of arrestor bars and bridging steps rather than gates or barriers.

To find out more about Terry Group products and services, visit: www.terrylifts.co.uk

For more information about Terry Lifts, contact:
John McSweeney, Sales & Marketing Director, Terry Group Ltd., Longridge Trading Estate, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 8PR

Telephone 0845 365 5366.

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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