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Vive Health843 OA Knee Brace Replacement Pads Set, RightVertical platform lifts: when a ramp won't fit
A ramp is often the first idea when someone who uses a wheelchair needs to get into a house. It is simple, it has no motor, and it works in a power cut. But ramps need room, and the higher the entrance, the more room they need. Sometimes the numbers simply do not work. That is where a vertical platform lift, often called a VPL, comes in.
This guide explains how to tell when a ramp will not fit and what to compare when you look at platform lifts.
Why ramps get long so quickly
The ADA 2010 Standards, which set the rules for ramps in the buildings they cover, give a useful yardstick for any home ramp. Section 405 says a ramp run should have a running slope not steeper than 1:12. That means one inch of rise for every 12 inches of length, or one foot of ramp for every inch you need to climb.
The same section limits any single run to a 30-inch rise and requires landings at the top and bottom of each run, at least 60 inches long. Where a ramp changes direction, the landing must be at least 60 by 60 inches.
Put those together and the scale becomes clear. At 1:12, climbing 30 inches takes 30 feet of ramp. Climbing 53 inches takes 53 feet of ramp, and because no single run may rise more than 30 inches, it needs at least two runs with a landing between them, plus landings at each end. On a small lot, a narrow side yard or a steep slope, that may not be possible.
What a vertical platform lift does
A vertical platform lift raises a platform straight up, like a small open elevator, carrying a person who stays seated in their wheelchair or scooter. Instead of a long path, it needs a footprint about the size of the platform plus its tower.
Bruno describes its VPL-3153 and VPL-3175 as residential lifts for indoor and outdoor use, rated for one passenger with a mobility device and a maximum rated load of 750 lb. Harmar lists the Highlander II at a 750 lb weight capacity, rated for commercial and residential use.
Match the lift to your rise
The rise is the height from the lower level to the upper level, floor to floor. Every platform lift has a published range.
- Bruno VPL-3153: 11 in minimum to 53 in maximum floor to floor, per the specifications.
- Bruno VPL-3175: 28 in minimum to 75 in maximum.
- Bruno VPL-3210B: up to 123 in floor to floor, per its specifications.
- Harmar Highlander II: models from up to 53 in (VPL400) to up to 171 in (VPL1400), per Harmar.
Measure the rise carefully, and let the professional measurement confirm it. A lift chosen at the very top of its range leaves no margin.
Power and power cuts
Ask how a lift is powered and what happens when the power goes out. Bruno lists AC models and battery "B" models of the VPL-3153/3175, with a maximum speed of 9 ft per minute on AC units and 10 ft per minute on DC battery units. The VPL-3210B is battery powered and lists an external lockable keyed switch for emergency lowering. Harmar lists the Highlander II on 120V AC with a 15 amp circuit breaker.
Space, headroom and weather
A platform lift has needs of its own. Bruno lists a minimum headroom of 80 in for the VPL-3153/3175, so check for porch roofs, overhangs or ceilings above the platform. Platform size matters too: Harmar offers the Highlander II in sizes from 36 by 48 in up to 42 by 60 in. A larger power chair, a footrest that sticks out, or a helper who rides along all argue for a bigger platform.
For outdoor installs in cold places, Bruno lists a cold-weather package for temperatures below 20°F as an option on its residential lifts, and a flood zone tower option for the VPL-3210B.
Read the warranty
Platform lift warranties separate parts, major components and labor. Bruno's residential VPL warranty covers all parts for one year after installation, named major components for two years, and labor for the first 30 days after installation by a Bruno Authorized Dealer. Harmar's Highlander II owner's manual lists parts for three years from installation (labor and paint excluded) and asks owners to register within 10 days of installation.
Ramp or lift: questions to ask yourself
- How high is the rise, floor to floor?
- Is there room for a ramp of that length plus its landings, without blocking paths or driveways?
- Does the person stay in a wheelchair, or can they walk short distances?
- How does the household feel about a powered machine that needs power, upkeep and occasional service?
- Is there headroom above the spot where a lift would stand?
Sometimes the answer is a ramp. Sometimes it is a lift. For small steps at a doorway, a threshold ramp may be all that is needed.
Living with a platform lift
A platform lift becomes part of the house, so think about daily use as well as the specifications. Who will ride it, and will anyone ride along to help? Will children or visitors be near it, and how will the controls be kept out of reach of anyone who should not use them? Where will the person wait in bad weather if the lift is outside? Plan good lighting at both landings and a level, firm path to and from the platform. Once it is installed, ask the installer to show every regular user how to operate it, including any emergency lowering, and keep the owner's manual somewhere easy to find.
Compare platform lifts
See the platform lifts collection: the Bruno VPL-3153/3175, the Bruno VPL-3210B and the Harmar Highlander II. For smaller rises, browse ramps and door openers. We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation.
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