23. Stairlifts

1.1 This note is designed to give inspecting officers guidance when approached for advice regarding the provision of a stairlift/chairlift.

1.2 Where any officer wishes to deviate from the guidance contained in this note, all the facts should be collected and a determination obtained from the Head of Fire Safety or his Deputy before proceeding.

1.3 Where a request is received from a care home manager or provider for information and/or an inspection regarding the provision of a stairlift in a residential care home, the enquirer should be referred to the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) in the first instance.

1.4 CSCI will decide if it is feasible or not for a stairlift to be installed in the home within their guidelines. When the CSCI inspector decides that it may be feasible to install a stairlift, they will contact the Fire Safety Officer in order that an inspection can be carried out. The Fire Safety Officer will confine the report to fire related matters only, using this note as guidance, and report the findings back to CSCI. 

2.1 Most private dwellings are single stair buildings. Our advice to members of the public would be to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and choose a type that would allow the maximum clear width when the chair is in its housed position.

2.2 The chair should, where practicable, be clear of the stair when housed.

2.3 The stairlift/chairlift should be installed in accordance with B.S. 5776.

2.4 Sufficient space must be available at the base of the staircase to allow the access door to open when the chair in its normal operating position.

3.1 General

3.1.1 Stairlifts should only be installed in commercial and public buildings where it is not reasonably practical to incorporate a passenger lift in accordance with B.S. 5655 or, where vertical travel is not greater than 1.98m, a powered lifting platform in accordance with B.S. 6440.

3.1.2 The characteristics of a disabled person in a private dwelling can be identified and the installation can be tailored to suit the individual. The characteristics of the potential passengers on a stairlift in a commercial or public building will generally not be known. The stairlift cannot be tailored and the installation should allow for a wide range of disabilities. Installation, maintenance and insurance conditions should therefore reflect this.

3.1.3 Stairlifts should not be used as a means of escape.

3.1.4 Where a stairlift is to be installed within, or on a stepped approach to a building that is subject to Building Regulations, then the provision of handrails should not be compromised.

3.2 Consultation

3.2.1 Before purchasing or installing a stairlift, the building owner, the building manager, the Architect, Surveyor or other professional agent acting on behalf of the building owner or manager should consult with the following:-

a) The Fire Authority;

b) The Environmental Health Officer;

c) The Building Control Department;

d) The Health Authority (where applicable);

e) The Commission for Social Care Inspection (where applicable).

3.3 Stairlifts operating between storeys

3.3.1 Single Stair Buildings

A stairlift should only be installed in a single stair building where the stairway width required for means of escape is maintained beyond the incursion into the stairway width of any fixed part of the stairlift installation (i.e. when the chair etc, is in the housed position).

3.3.2 Multi Stair Buildings
In a building containing more than one stairway, the stairlift should be installed on a stairway that is not used as a primary means of escape.

3.3.3 Residential Homes

a) Generally stairlifts should not be installed in single stair buildings (refer to 3.3.1. above).

b) Stairlifts should only be considered where it is expected that only a limited number of persons will use it. N.B. CSCI Inspectors will also refer to the National Minimum Standards as they include further guidance of possible exemptions from the usual refusal where a very small number of users and a more domestic setting is involved.

c) A minimum clear width of 1000mm should be maintained on the stairway with the chair in the housed position.

d) In a building with two or more stairways between storeys, the installation of a stairlift should, where possible, not be on a stairway to be used as a means of escape (paragraph 3.3.3.(c) will still apply)

3.3.4 Public Buildings

a) Generally stairlifts should not be installed in single stair buildings.

b) The available clear width of stairway when the stairlift is installed, should be adequate to cater for the means of escape requirements for all floors occupancy capacities. The minimum width being 1100mm.

c) Where 3.3.4(b) cannot be achieved, it would be considered acceptable to instigate a management policy to limit the numbers of persons on upper floors. Written confirmation should be obtained and held in the premises file.

3.3.5 Sheltered Housing

In the case of sheltered accommodation it is permissible to provide a chairlift/stairlift in a single stair building provided that:

i) The staircase provided is of concrete construction

ii) The walls and ceiling are to class 'O' standard

iii) The staircase does not contain any cupboards, meters or furnishings

iv) A suitable form of smoke detector is provided in the staircase enclosure

v) The wiring for the lift is on a separate circuit with its own fuse facility and to be suitably indicated.

vi) A clear width of 800mm should be available along the whole length of the stair when the lift is in operation.

3.3.6 Other Buildings

a) The installation of a stairlift between storeys in commercial buildings used as a workplace, should only be considered in respect of designated employee(s) with disabilities.

b) A clear width of a minimum 1000mm should be maintained with the chair in the housed positioned where the building serves an area with an occupancy of more than 50 (Table 7 and 8 of the Building Regulations, Approved Document B should be consulted to determine permissible staircase widths).

c) Where the occupancy will not exceed 50, the minimum clear width may be reduced to 800mm.

3.4 Stairlifts operating within storeys

Within a storey of a building, a stairlift may be necessary to facilitate access for persons with disabilities to a stage or platform, or between floors that are not at the same level.

3.4.1 Where possible access to different levels within a storey should be provided by a ramp or a lifting platform conforming to B.S. 6440.

3.4.2 Only where it is not practical to provide either a ramp or a lifting platform, should a stairlift be considered.

3.5 Notices

Appropriate safety signs and instructions for use should be clearly displayed at each end of travel of a stairlift.

4.1 The stairlift should be thoroughly serviced by a competent person within six months of commissioning.

4.2 The stairlift should be serviced by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months following 4.1 above.

4.3 The competent person carrying out maintenance should provide a written report in accordance with BS 5776.

4.4 The competent person may determine an inspection frequency more onerous than that detailed in item 4.2 depending on the type of chairlift and use of the stairlift. The competent persons advice must be complied with.

5.1 Any accidents relating to the stairlift and any modifications should be recorded.

5.2 Any defect should be recorded.

This guidance note is compiled from information obtained from the following:
i) BS 5776:1996

ii) Building Regulations approved document B (2000 edition)