Stairlifts in Georgia: the elevator law and choosing a lift

Georgia families looking at stairlifts often hear that the state inspects elevators, and wonder whether a chair on a rail counts. Georgia's elevator statute has a specific rule for private residence elevators, and the Safety Fire Commissioner's office issues Certificates of Authority to companies that install elevators. Whether a stairlift falls under those words is the part to confirm before installation.

Below are the statute and agency text, Georgia's heat and storms, four lifts and the state's Tools for Life program.

What Georgia's elevator law says

Georgia regulates elevators in Part 6 of Article 1, Chapter 2 of Title 8, sections 8-2-100 through 8-2-109.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The definitions in section 8-2-100 name the Safety Fire Commissioner as "Commissioner" and say "elevator" also means a long list of types, including an "inclined elevator" and a "private residence elevator."

Section 8-2-101(a) sets the core duty: "All elevators, escalators, manlifts, moving walks, and dumbwaiters erected or placed in service after January 1, 1986, shall be inspected before being placed in service and shall be registered within 15 days after they are completed and placed in service." Owners must keep them "in a safe operating condition."

Homes get a lighter rule. Section 8-2-102(f) provides that "Private residence elevators shall be exempt from mandatory periodic inspections but shall be required to have an initial construction inspection," and that "At the request of the owner or user of a private residence elevator, an inspection may be performed by the office and an inspection report issued."

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire carries this out. Its elevator page says "Each elevator used or proposed to be used in Georgia must be thoroughly inspected regularly," and that the office "is further responsible for issuing Certificates of Authority for all companies or individuals who install, maintain or service elevators" (OCI Elevators & Escalators).

Here is the gap. The statute text we read does not mention stairway chairlifts by name, and we could not open the Commissioner's elevator rules to see how they classify one. So we cannot tell you whether a home stairlift needs that first inspection or an installer holding a Certificate of Authority. Ask the Commissioner's office, and check with your city or county building department about local permits, before the lift goes in.

Heat, humidity and summer storms

The NOAA summary for Georgia describes "long, hot and humid summers and short, usually mild winters." Macon and Columbus average around 20 days a year above 95°F, and Athens set a record of 109°F on June 29, 2012. "Thunderstorms are common in Georgia, particularly in the spring and summer months," and snowfall is light, averaging only 5 inches even in the northern mountains.

So an indoor lift rarely faces weather at all, while a lift on porch or deck steps faces sun, heat and afternoon downpours far more than snow. For exterior steps, choose a lift built and rated for outdoor use.

Conditions also shift with geography. NOAA notes elevation running "from sea level along the coast to higher than 4,700 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains," with Atlanta averaging only 7 days a year above 95°F and the Appalachian areas fewer than 1. A mountain cabin and a coastal home near Brunswick, which averages more than 30 very warm nights a year, put different demands on an outdoor lift, so tell us where the stairs are when you run the fit check.

Four lifts for Georgia homes

• Bruno Outdoor Elite SRE-2010E: rated by Bruno for 0°F to 125°F, with weather-resistant seat materials and a light-weight cover. For straight steps up to a porch.
• Harmar Pinnacle SL600HD: a heavy-duty straight indoor lift rated to 600 lb, with an extra wide high-backed chair and an 85 degree swivel at the top landing.
• Bruno Elite Curve Outdoor CRE-2110E: a curved outdoor rail handcrafted to one staircase, marine-grade components, 400 lb capacity.
• Bruno Elan SRE-5000: Bruno's entry-level straight indoor lift, 300 lb capacity, with obstruction sensors standard and power options including a folding rail.

Specifications are from the product pages in our store, which follow the makers' figures.

Georgia's Tools for Life program

Tools for Life "is Georgia's Assistive Technology Act Program." Its services "include demonstrations, lending libraries, public awareness, information, and trainings," and it "provides information on financing and funding options available to help people with disabilities and older adults purchase AT." The AT3 Center lists device loans, demonstrations, reuse and financial loan help for Georgia.

Ordering a stairlift to Georgia

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, with free shipping on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. Our Georgia shipping page has the details, and the stairlift fit check begins with your staircase.

Questions about stairlifts in Georgia

Does Georgia inspect elevators in private homes?

Under O.C.G.A. § 8-2-102(f), private residence elevators are exempt from mandatory periodic inspections but must have an initial construction inspection. An owner or user may also request an inspection and report from the Commissioner's office. Whether a stairlift is a private residence elevator is something to confirm with that office.

Is a stairlift covered by Georgia's elevator law?

We could not confirm. Section 8-2-100's definition of elevator lists many types, including inclined and private residence elevators, but the text we read does not name stairway chairlifts, and we could not open the Commissioner's rules. The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire can answer for your lift.

Who licenses elevator installers in Georgia?

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire says it issues Certificates of Authority to all companies or individuals who install, maintain or service elevators. If your stairlift is treated as an elevator, that requirement would apply to the installer, so ask the office first.

Should I buy an outdoor stairlift in Georgia?

Only if the steps are outside. NOAA notes thunderstorms are common in spring and summer and inland cities average around 20 days above 95°F. Bruno rates its outdoor Elite lifts for 0°F to 125°F with weather-resistant materials; indoors, a standard model is the simpler choice.

Can I ask Georgia to inspect my home lift?

O.C.G.A. § 8-2-102(f) says that at the request of the owner or user of a private residence elevator, the office may perform an inspection and issue an inspection report, and that the office shall charge the person requesting it. Whether your stairlift counts as a private residence elevator is the first question to put to the office.

Compare models in our stairlift collection, run the stairlift fit check, or take the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Official Code of Georgia Annotated, free public access (O.C.G.A. §§ 8-2-100, 8-2-101, 8-2-102)
• Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire: Elevators & Escalators
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries 2022: Georgia
• Tools for Life, Georgia's Assistive Technology Act Program
• AT3 Center: Georgia Tools for Life
• Product specifications: Faith Mobility product pages linked above