Vertical Platform Lift Installation Guidelines
Criteria for both Residential and Commercial applications
- Must be installed by a Licensed Elevator Contractor
- Premier Lift Products, Inc. holds MN elevator contractor’s license #CE00130
- Can require minor to major construction alterations
- The State of Minnesota Requires Permits & Inspection by State Elevator Inspector
(Minneapolis and St. Paul each have separate elevator authorities) - The state of Iowa requires permits & inspections on commercial applications only
- The state of WI requires permits & inspections on all commercial applications and residential elevators, but not residential stair lifts or platform lifts
- Require operation by constant pressure controls – Automatic operation is not allowed
- Doors & gates must have special “Flush-Mount” frames with safety interlocks
- Emergency telephone on the lift platform is required by code
- ADA compliant phones with a dedicated line are required for all commercial applications
- May be provided with same side, pass through or 90 degree configurations
- Limited by code to no more than 14 feet of travel
- Limited by code to a maximum load capacity of 750 pounds
- Allowed by code to a maximum platform size of 18 square feet
- Limited by code to a maximum speed of 30 feet per minute
- Must have independent testing lab certification such as UL, CSA or ETL
- Are required to meet all applicable Local, State & National codes
Additional Criteria for Commercial applications
- Can provide vertical transportation to anyone with accessibility limitations – Vertical Platform wheelchair Lifts are not for use to carry freight
- May require power door operators to meet code in certain configurations
- Certain minimum platform sizes are required to meet code (and to comply with ADA guidelines)
- Certain minimum push-button control sizes are required to meet code
- Emergency ADA compliant telephone on the lift platform with dedicated line and 24 hour monitoring service.
- Must be completely guarded with a full enclosure or full hoistway
- Lighting with battery back-up above the lift enclosure or hoistway is required
- Automatic re-leveling at the floor is required
- Full time battery operation or battery back-up operation is typically required to meet code in commercial applications
[Back to Wheelchair Lift page]
Inclined Platform Lift Installation Guidelines
Criteria for Residential applications:
- Must be installed by a Licensed Elevator Contractor
- Require Permits & Inspection by State Elevator Inspector
- Typically require minor construction alterations
- Are typically permitted only in private residence applications in Minnesota
- May be provided with pass through or 90 degree configurations
- Are required to meet certain minimum overhead requirements
- For example, code requires minimum clear headroom of 54” above the entire platform at all points of travel up & down the steps. Most existing stairways are well short of this amount of headroom, requiring construction modifications to gain the required overhead clearance
- Are designed & custom-manufactured for each specific application
- Must have independent testing lab certification such as UL, CSA or ETL
- Are required to have automatic guards & ramps to secure the wheelchair
Residential Applications vs. Commercial Applications
To differentiate between residential applications and commercial applications when it comes to elevator & lift codes, you need to look at building use. Simply put, there are really only 2 types of buildings when it comes to elevator & lift codes:
- If it is a single family private residence, it is considered residential
- If it is a NOT a single family private residence, it is considered commercial
- Clarification for group homes:
- A single family private residence used as a group home, with 6 or less residents is considered residential
- A single family private residence used as a group home, with greater than 6 residents is considered commercial
