Product FAQ

What is a stair lift and how does it work?

A stair lift is a motorized chair on a track that is secured to your staircase with a few sturdy screws. With a ThyssenKrupp Access lift, there are no structural changes made to your home and the lift glides along stairs without marring walls. With a push of a button, you are gently and securely carried over the stairs. When not in use, the lift folds compactly against the wall. At ThyssenKrupp Access, your comfort and safety are our top priority. That's why all of our stairway lifts include a seat that swivels away from the stair, providing a safe and comfortable way to get on and off the lift. Our lifts are designed to ensure a smooth, comfortable ride that will let you confidently maintain your lifestyle and freely enjoy your whole house.

How much space does it use?

When not in use, the seat and footrest can be folded up, maximizing space on the stairway for others. It typically takes up about 14" when folded. When in use, it typically opens to about 25".

Will the stair lift work for someone who also uses a wheelchair?

Access lifts can be useful even for someone who has limited mobility. Convenience features built into some models include folding arms that push up and out of the way, adjustable seat heights, and soft, padded seats.

How will it look in my house?

ThyssenKrupp Access offers the widest variety of colors and fabrics to choose from - so you're sure to find a look that blends with your décor. Upholstery options include easy-care vinyl and plush fabrics. Or, on select models, you may choose to send in some of your own fabric for a truly customized look that will perfectly match your current furnishings.

What about safety features?

ThyssenKrupp Access stair lifts are engineered with multiple safety features for your peace of mind. Our multi-point safety system includes sensors that stop the lift if something blocks its path, a seat belt for added security and brakes that will stop the lift should something go wrong with the drive system. The swivel seats ensure an easier, safer transition from sitting to standing positions. And, the swivel seat locks your seat in place when it's swiveled away from the landing and ensure the seat swivels only at a landing and not during the ride. Add mechanisms that prevent the unit from traveling beyond the track and you'll see a commitment to quality that ensures nothing will prevent a smooth ride. Even the controls are designed with your comfort in mind. Constant pressure controls make sure the lift will stop if you release your finger from the controls.

Is it easy to care for?

Yes! ThyssenKrupp Access stair lifts are easy to maintain and designed to last for years. In fact, we back each one with the best guarantee in the business - a full five-year drivetrain and two-year parts warranty. That's years longer than the industry average! It says something about our commitment to quality and your peace of mind. We recommend a preventive maintenance check every six months by your local dealer.

What is the ADA and how does it affect our lifts?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that went into effect in 1991. The law is designed to eliminate any discrimination because of disabilities. The ADA covers many different areas of discrimination but what affects our products is how the ADA addresses accessibility. Under Section 504 of the ADA, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, also known as "Access Board" was required to develop and issue guidelines which would become the final ADA accessibility standards. The American with Disabilities Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) was written and went into effect in January of 1992. These guidelines were written to try and clarify how architectural barriers should be eliminated and still comply with the intent of the ADA. The ADA identifies what needs to be accessible and refers back to ASME standards as to what equipment can be used. Over the past few years, a committee has been working on updating ADAAG so that it is more consistent with available technologies and with the ASME standard. The recommendations for the new ADAAG have been published and submitted to the Access Board for adoption.

The NEW ADAAG has a couple of changes on the acceptable use of platform lifts to remove barriers but most important it now recognizes ASME A17.1-2000, Part 5.2 for LU/LA elevators.

Does ADAAG permit platform (wheelchair) lifts as a means of providing access?

Yes. Platform lifts are defined in Section 3.5 as an accessible route and are covered in Section 4.11.

Are platform lifts allowed in new construction?

Yes. Platform lifts complying with 4.11 and with local codes may be used to provide accessibility to a performing area in an assembly occupancy, to comply with the wheelchair viewing position line-of-sight and dispersion requirements of 4.33.3, in incidental occupiable spaces and rooms which are not open to the general public and which house no more than five persons, including but not limited to equipment control rooms and projection booths or to provide access where existing site constraints or other constraints make use of a ramp or an elevator infeasible.

Will every building require an elevator, ramp or lift?

No. Existing buildings require only what is readily achievable and can not cause a financial hardship on the building owner. If a new or altered building has fewer than 3 stories or is less than 3000 square feet per floor, it does not need to be equipped with an elevator. This exception does not apply to shopping malls or offices of heath care providers. The ground floor, however, must be accessible. If an elevator is installed it must meet the ADAAG requirements.

Does ADAAG require any special requirements on platform lifts?

Yes. A minimum clear floor or ground space of 30" x 48" is required on vertical and inclined platform lifts. The new ADAAG also requires platform lifts where the lift does not allow a user to pass through the lift to have power openers on the gates or doors.

Do inclined platform lifts comply with the ADA?

Yes. The goal of the ADA is to improve accessibility. If the inclined lift is the best alternative to the building owner, then that option should be taken. The inclined platform lift provides unassisted entry and exit from the lift and can physically be operated by the rider.

Does the ADA allow key operation?

Yes. The ADA recognizes the need for keys. While Section 4.11 still stipulates that platform lifts shall facilitate unassisted entry, operation and exit from the lift, the preamble states that this does not preclude the use of a key to operate a lift as long as the key is readily available and allows for unassisted operation.

Are all of our lifts ADA approved?

No. The ADA does not approve anything! The ADA is a civil rights law and the only way to get a ruling is if someone files a complaint with the Attorney General.

Independent test laboratories such as UL or ETL now inspect and test accessibility equipment to comply with ASME standards. Any equipment that displays one of these labels shows that the equipment has been inspected and tested to these standards and has passed. Many states require an independent laboratory label to be on equipment and many states will relax their inspection requirements if the equipment is labeled. There is a great expense to have the equipment listed, but if it allows our equipment to be more widely accepted and adds to the credibility of quality, it is well worth the added expense.