Answer Center

YES! I say yes if you are providing a vertical platform lift that is configured for the end user to operate on their own. If it looks like a vertical platform lift, acts like a vertical platform lift, then it is one!

The ADA requires ‘unassisted’ access. Any device that is attendant operated would not meet the ADA.

Pushing a lift into position in front of a stage requires an attendant in one sense, but that is no different than the need for an installer to bolt down a permanent lift. Once the portable lift or the permanent lift is in position, the authority having jurisdiction should enforce the ASME A18.1 safety standard which governs vertical platform lifts. Just because a lift is deemed portable should not exempt it from compliance safety standards designed to protect the riding public.

‘Portable’ and ‘temporary’ are two different concepts. ‘Temporary’ can be for one hour, one day, or one year, so saying the installation is a temporary one has no bearing on the subject. 

We take ‘portable’ to mean easily movable from place to place and not permanently affixed to the building. A portable lift can be moved into position for any length of time and then removed to store it out of the way or to use it in another location. This is a great feature and there is significant demand in the marketplace for a portable vertical platform lift.

Putting wheels on a vertical platform lift or plugging it instead of hardwiring it should not exempt the manufacturer or the installer from the A18.1 standard. There are no rules in the standard to assist the AHJ inspecting a portable lift such as rules to measure the stability of a lift not bolted to the building structure to bear the loads imposed so each inspector would have to make their own determination on the portable issues but the lift itself should meet the rest of the standard. Many reputable manufacuteres make such lifts which do comply with ASME A18.1 and when put in place function very well for ‘unassisted’ operation so take care when selecting the portable lift for your application.

The wording in the scope of A18.1 says the standard does not cover “portable equipment”. Since the standard does not define what this equipment is some have taken advantage of this and called their equipment portable in order to by pass the authority having jurisdiction. This is done to cut costs but has in some cases resulted in internet sales of sub-standard equipment being sold to unsuspecting contractors and building owners under the guise of meeting the ADA on the cheap!

NO! We have to say no if the AHJ says in writing they do not want to permit or inspect any platform lift that is called portable. Realize, however, if you sell the lift you are the contractor of record and you are now liable for compliance with codes and standards in your State, whether or not the installation is inspected. This is especially true if no licensed architect specified and approved the application of a portable lift not recognized by the AHJ. 

If an accident occurs or an ADA lawsuit is initiated you will be on the front lines with no one at your back and you will probably be outside the scope of your own liability insurance and have to defend yourself on your own dime.

Reputable manufacturers manufacturer to comply with ASME A18.1 regardless of whether or not the AHJ inspects the lift but some sell over the internet and do not comply with the standard so anyone buying and re-selling this equipment is taking on 100% of the liability for the life of that equipment.

The reason for dropping this requirement was restricting access to the operating controls did not in fact add to the safety or reliability of the equipment. What it did however was to make it more difficult for the very folks the lifts were meant to serve.

For years the industry tried to make it easier for the riding public by all using the same key with a wide distribution. Of course that distribution extended to the delivery person and the night watchman and anyone else in the building thus it really didn’t restrict use to those with mobility impairments or protect the equipment from abuse as a material lift.

Platform lifts are not designed to move freight and should be maintained at the ready for those who need them but key operation did not accomplish that goal so the requirement was dropped.

It is up to the building owner to maintain the means of accessibility. In buildings open to the public key operation makes that difficult. The building owner may however have security concerns or concerns about abuse of the equipment so it is up to the building owner to protect their investment and make sure the lift is available to people with mobility impairments at all times.

Key operation may be the best method and thus making the key available to anyone needing the lift entering the building would need to be addressed. Proximity Devices or Card Readers may be preferred in some cases. Remote control with camera surveillance is an option in high security environments or isolated lift locations such outdoor lifts on college campuses.

A master key system could be employed similar to ones used on commercial elevators. In an elementary school for example during the day to prevent kids from playing on the lift, key operation would be desired but at night when the parents are in the school for a program keyless operation would be preferred. In that case a means to switch from key operation to keyless could be provided.

There is no MEA requirement or any other pre-approval process for platform lifts in NYC. They must be permitted and inspected by the Elevator Division just as a commercial elevator. 

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/pe914.pdf

For plans review simply put on drawings ‘to be filed under separate elevator permit’. We do get requests for MEA#s from time to time even though the process has not applied to wheelchair lifts for over 20 years. See the city’s website MEA index and you will find wheelchair lift as a category but only one item listed that is obviously a mistake and has nothing to do with wheelchair lifts.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/reference/mea_index.shtml