1. Upper Landing Gate with interlock
2. Drive tower
3. Operating Panel
4. Call/Send Station
5. Platform Gate with interlock
6. Platform
7. Automatic Access Ramp

• For commercial/public installations, an unenclosed vertical platform lift can travel a maximum of 60” (ASME 18.1 code).
• A platform gate is required, protecting the user inside the lift when it runs
• An upper landing gate with interlock is required to prevent opening unless the lift is at the landing
• Used for simple two-stop, short distance travel needs

• Includes a 4-sided enclosure for the lift to travel in, ideal for outdoor use due to weather protection
• Can be used indoors but cannot be installed to penetrate a floor. Often used in a lobby to access a mezzanine or a few steps rise
• Limited to 14’ of travel in the USA, 23’ in Canada by code
• Can be customized for up to 4 stops
• Many options are available to customize the enclosure and the lift to suit your needs and design preferences

• Used for indoor applications, often where the lift needs to penetrate a floor
• A shaftway/hoistway is constructed by your general contractor
• Can travel up to 4 stops, to 14’ in the US, or 23’ in Canada (14’ in Quebec)
• A common upgrade is an 80” semi-enclosed cabin to make the lift more comfortable

• If you need a moveable lift, a mobile vertical platform lift may be possible, but is subject to your local authority’s requirements
• Travel up to 48”, and includes a portable top landing gate and lockable casters
• Suitable for use to access a stage for temporary use
• Mobile lifts are not acceptable in all jurisdictions

• Faster travel speed than screw drive
• More heavy-duty usage, and expected longer overall product life
• Easy manual lowering function from outside the shaftway
• More suitable for taller travel

A hydraulic drive wheelchair lift uses a motor that powers a pump to move hydraulic fluid in and out of a cylinder to create the up and down motion. It’s a reliable system that delivers a smooth ride.

• Usually less expensive than hydraulic
• Simple mechanical system

A screw drive wheelchair lift is a simple system that uses a large vertical screw and a nut powered by a motor to move the platform up and down. It is usually slower than a hydraulic drive and used for shorter travel distances.

To accommodate a wheelchair, the width of the platform will be 36” wide. The common platform sizes are:

• 36 W x 48 L
• 36 W x 54 L
• 36 W x 60 L
• Alternatively, the platform can be 42” wide.

 *For 90-degree applications, 42 W x 60L is common

Savaria can create a custom sized platform up to 18 sq feet. If you require a smaller footprint for an existing shaftway, a custom size can be done. However, in the USA and Canada, accessibility code may require a minimum size that your local dealer can advise you about.

Measure the Travel Distance
Travel distance for a vertical platform lift is measured from the bottom landing to the bottom of the top landing. A Savaria vertical platform lift has a minimum travel distance of 7” and a maximum of 14 feet (USA and Quebec, and 23 feet in the rest of Canada).

How Many Stops Do you Need?
With hoistway or enclosure model, you can have up to 4 stops.  With an open/standard lift, you can have 2 stops.

Do you need more than one entrance?
The most common configuration for a vertical platform lift is a Type 2, with 2 points of entry.  This is the easiest to navigate in a wheelchair since you can roll on and off straight through the lift. If your site will accommodate this configuration, it is the best option for wheelchair users.

Some lifts only have one entrance/exit, called Type 1. This type of lift usually requires the wheelchair user to roll out backwards from the lift. Typically, you would need to provide an automatic door operator for this configuration with full height door, meaning that travel just be a minimum of a full floor (no split level/half height travel is possible).

A lift with 2 entrances at 90 degrees to each other can be harder to navigate for a user in a larger wheelchair. To make it easier for the user, accessibility code srequire the platform to be a minimum of 36×60 or 42×60. Doors must be on the long side and provide 42” clearance, and landing doors must provide auto operation.

These are different entry and exit types. Note the position of the travel tower in relation to the entrances.

For an outdoor, standard wheelchair lift, consider these:

• A reinforced concrete pad with strong base is needed, to prevent movement due to weather changes
• Typically, the base is 6-8” thick to anchor the lift, but must meet local building code requirements (note some configurations may require additional anchoring)
• The concrete pad should be large enough to fully accommodate the lift, and the deployed automatic access ramp
• Be mindful of the approach path to the lift to provide easy access to the lift
• You will need to order a top landing gate with interlock (by Savaria)

36 x 54 lift (Type 2 with straight through access), and platform gate

Requires 82” by 54 ¼” pad  (should show that the full swing of PF gate is off the pad)

The site preparation of the concrete slab, and the electrical may be arranged by your local contractor, or in some cases the local dealer.  Consult the model-specific planning guide for full details.

For an enclosure wheelchair lift, the requirements are very similar, but there are specific additional considerations to ensure proper support of the enclosure tower. Due to the custom nature of enclosure lifts, the local dealer can assist you with full details on a specific lift configuration.

For a hoistway-style wheelchair lift, you will need

• A support wall to secure the lift that is made with 2×4 or 2×6 framing, a concrete wall, or concrete filled masonry blocks (CMU), or structural steel. Metal studs cannot be used for tower securement.
• Non-supporting hoistway walls are framed/constructed the same way as the rest of the building as they are standard wall construction. As the lift travels along a flush surface, the shaft must be plumb and level with only a 1/8’’ tolerance from top to bottom
• A structural floor is required, and it can either include a 3’’ recess/pit, or an access ramp will be required.
• Please see the Planning Guide for structural load for impact, deadload, and pull-out force for the support wall.

Vertical platform lifts have defined electrical requirements

• The shop drawing for the specific lift includes electrical requirements and the Planning Guide also includes electrical requirements
• A fused disconnect with auxiliary contact or other acceptable disconnect is required and varies by AHJ (authority having jurisdiction)
• An additional 110v GFI outlet in the hoistway for hoistway applications, and your local AHJ may also require it on enclosure and deck lift applications
• Lighting at the top of the hoistway and each landing with a minimum of 100 lux
• An active phone line, or other approved 2-way communication system such as the Savaria One Touch alert (sim-card, GSM-based)

See the Planning Guide for more details, including other requirements for installation and site preparation.

The Savaria Prolift is wheelchair lift with an enclosed cab that gives it an elevator feel, but with basic features. It uses a hydraulic drive and offers a range of capacity options with a maximum travel distance of 14’ in the USA (23’ in Canada). This basic lift is less costly than a LU/LA automatic elevator and requires less overhead and a more shallow pit. The Prolift requires a machine room. Prolifts are often chosen for places of worship and schools. As it travels at the same speed as a LU/LA, it is often used for tall travel as it minimizes the trip duration between floors.

1. Overhead (minimum of 92”)
2. Hoistway
3. Guide rails
4. Hydraulic cylinder
5. Aircraft cables
6. Cab
7. Cab operating panel
8. Pit  (8” minimum)

Vertical platform lifts can be customized for size and travel distance. The standard paint color is beige, but upgrades include optional colors, RAL colors, different gloss levels, and different textures of paint.

Located under the platform on deck/porch lift applications, the underpan includes a safety sensor system that stops the lift if it encounters any obstructions while descending. This system is always included on unenclosed models and is optional on other models.

The Savaria V-1504, includes a safety brake mechanism engages to stop the lift should the chain break. A second brake acts as a back-up system.

The Savaria Multilift uses a back-up nut that stops the lift should there be a drive malfunction.

If there is a power failure, a V1504 lift can be lowered to the next available landing using a manual lowering device. The device is located at the lowest landing. Simply pull the cable continuously to lower the lift. See the Owner’s Guide for the complete procedure.  Additionally, a 12-volt battery powers the controller and hydraulics to lower the lift and unlock with door/gate.

With the optional battery back-up, a 24vDC battery and different motor and pump unit provides up to 5 up/down trips during a power failure. This option is required if the lift is part of an accessible path.

A manual hand crank is available for emergency lowering when necessary. With the optional battery back-up, a 24vDC battery the the lift provides up to 5 up/down trips during a power failure. This option is required if the lift is part of an accessible path.

For emergency use, the Prolift can be lowered to the lowest floor using a manual lowering device. This device is contained in the hydraulic tank in the machine room. To operate,  simply pull on the red mushroom continuously and the lift will lower. Details for this procedure are in the owner’s manual. There is no optional battery back-up system for the Prolift, however, in commercial settings, a back-up generator within the building should include the Prolift.

Savaria wheelchair lifts comply with United States A18.1.1 safety standard for platform list and stairway chairlifts. In Canada, they meet CSA B355 code. It is important to note that your local jurisdiction may also impose specific standards.  Always consult your local Savaria dealer for local regulations.

A 1:2 hydraulic drive with 5 hp submersed motor powers the elevator moving on two steel aircraft cables. Provides a smooth, stable ride. In most AHJ, a dedicated 4’ by 5’ machine room is required.

A geared motor and counterweight traction system powers the elevator moving on three steel cables. This quiet system has a machine roomless option and is the best choice if you expect more uses/trips per day.

The Savaria Orion LU/LA elevators can be ordered as

• 48w x 54l
• 42w x 60l
• 51w x 51l  (for 90-degree applications)

The cab height is 84”.  The maximum size for the cab is 18 square feet. (W x L), with 1400lb maximum capacity.

The Orion includes two-speed automatic doors for the cab and landings.  Note that you can add a second door to this elevator for straight-through, or 90” access.  It’s important to note that if you configure doors at 90 degrees, you must use a 51” square cab size  to meet accessibility code.

If you choose the hydraulic model, or the geared traction without the machine roomless option, you will need to construct a machine room that meets the Planning Guide specifications. The room is generally 48” by 60” with a door, lighting and electrical provisions.

The Savaria Orion MRL can be installed (in most AHJ) with the controller adjacent to the elevator, rather than in a separate machine room. Additional information about this option is available in the Planning guide.

Show door buck controller Cab styles

A fire-rated hoistway must be constructed for the elevator. Refer to the model-specific planning guide for full details on hoistway construction. When you place an order for your elevator, detailed shop drawings for your project are provided for precise measurements.

For open concept designs, your local AHJ may allow glass hoistways (non-fire-rated). In these cases, the Orion can be ordered with a glass cabin and glass doors.

It’s best to work with your local Savaria dealer early in the process to plan for the construction needs of your accessibility elevator. This will ensure you leave enough space for the hoistway, overhead, pit and wheelchair egress. It is also important to know the fire rating requirements, and any additional local code requirements for a LU/LA elevator in your region.

Depending on the applicable code year in your AHJ, there are different requirements for the elevator. For example, 2019 code requires more advanced communication systems including an in-cabin camera system and chat screen with yes/no buttons. Your local dealer will provide expertise to guide you on applicable code.

Typically, passenger elevators require third party monitoring, and ideally you would provide 24-hour service coverage, as well as emergency entrapment services. These services may not be provided by the installing dealer, check with your local dealer for advice.

A full-sized passenger elevator will usually be significantly more costly to install. A standard passenger elevator is designed with a higher capacity, accommodation for a stretcher, and travel at a higher rate of speed. This requires more costly construction for a deeper pit, more overhead space and a larger hoistway overall. A passenger elevator can be configured to any travel distance or number of stops needed. If your need is to service less than 25 feet of travel, a LU/LA elevator can be a great choice.

1. Automatic safety arms
2. Emergency stop and keyed access
3. Audio visual alarm
4. Call station
5. Pendant control
6. Carriage with enclosed drive system
7. Folding seat and seat belt
8. Automatic folding platform
9. Access ramps

At the bottom landing, it is important to provide the appropriate space for the user to get on and off the platform – this is called the landing clearance. The space needed depends on the size of the platform chosen and the angle of the stairs. The chart below shows the most common guidelines for the space needed. Those dimensions are for the lift only, and the accessibility code will typically dictate a clear 5-foot approach to the lift depending on the entrance (straight or at 90-degrees).

The width of staircase required will be dictated by: mounting methods, platform size.