Stairlifts in Indiana: the private residence exclusion

Indiana's law on lifts is one of the clearest in the region on the point most families care about. It names stairway chair lifts specifically, and in the same section it says that a lifting device in a private residence is not covered.

So the state's elevator inspection program is built for public and commercial buildings, not your stairs at home. The sections below quote the law, explain where it stops, and cover choosing a lift for an Indiana house, where storms and power outages are part of planning.

Indiana Code 22-12-1-22, line by line

Indiana regulates elevators and similar equipment through its fire safety, building and equipment laws in Title 22. The key definition is "regulated lifting device" in IC 22-12-1-22. Subsection (a) covers hoisting mechanisms with a car or platform that move between two or more landings, and lists among them "(B) A platform lift and stairway chair lift, as defined in the Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts, an American National Standard, as adopted by ASME A18.1."

Subsection (b) then lists fifteen things the term does not include. Item twelve is short: "Any lifting device in a private residence." Read together, a stairway chair lift or platform lift in a public building is a regulated lifting device, while the same lift in a private home is not.

Who handles the regulated ones? The Indiana Department of Homeland Security's Elevators and Amusement Rides Section says there are "approximately 20,000 regulated lift devices (such as elevators, escalators and amusement rides) in Indiana," and that its inspectors "perform inspections annually in office buildings, factories, hospitals, schools, nursing homes" and other places. Permits, licenses and inspections for those devices run through the state's Public Safety Portal.

What the statute leaves open is the meaning of "private residence." We did not find a definition in that chapter, so a two-family home, a home with a business open to customers, or a group home could raise questions. If your situation is anything other than a family's own house, contact the Elevators and Amusement Rides Section before choosing a lift. Separately, an electrical connection or other work could involve your local building department; ask it whether it wants a permit.

Storms, outages and Indiana stairs

NOAA's Indiana State Climate Summary describes "a long and deadly history of tornadic storms," from the 1925 Tri-State Tornado to an outbreak of 37 tornadoes on June 2, 1990. Winter brings its own disruptions: during the December 22-23, 2004 storm, more than 20 inches of snow fell across southern Indiana, the city of Washington recorded 32 inches, and a state of emergency was declared for 50 counties.

When storms knock out power, a stairlift that runs on batteries can keep a second floor reachable. Snowfall varies widely, from about 14 inches a year in the southwest to more than 70 inches at some northern locations near Lake Michigan, so outdoor steps in the north need a cold-rated lift and regular clearing.

Four lifts worth comparing in Indiana

• Riding through an outage: the Bruno Elite Indoor Straight SRE-2010 runs on batteries and, Bruno says, is designed to make several trips even during a power outage. It carries 400 lb, and an optional folding rail moves the bottom section out of a hallway.
• Stairs where the wall will not take a rail: the Harmar SL350AC mounts to the stairs rather than the wall, on either side, and runs on standard 115V household current. It is for indoor use only.
• Outdoor steps with a landing or turn: Bruno handcrafts the Elite Curve Outdoor CRE-2110E rail to the staircase. Rated for 400 lb, it is designed to work from 0°F up to 125°F.
• Narrow stairs in older homes: the Harmar Pinnacle SL300 folds to 11 in from the wall, and its batteries allow up to 60 trips during a power outage.

A few measurements settle most choices: the number of steps, whether the stair turns or pauses at a landing, the width between wall and railing, and whether a door swings near the top or bottom. Note where the nearest outlet sits too, since a battery lift charges from household power and the SL350AC runs on it directly. If a family member still walks the stairs every day, a folding rail or a slim fold-up seat keeps the path open for them.

Indiana's assistive technology project

The AT3 Center lists the Indiana Assistive Technology Act Project, known as the INDATA Project, as the state's program, with device loans, demonstrations, reuse and financial loans. INDATA says its loan library has over 2,500 items that "can be loaned for 30 days," and its alternative financing program works with a lending partner on low-interest bank loans from $500 to $30,000 for assistive technology.

Shipping a stairlift to Indiana

We ship to your state. Installation isn't available here yet; email us and we'll help you find a local installer. 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. See our Indiana shipping page and try the stairlift fit check.

Questions about stairlifts in Indiana

Is a stairlift in my Indiana home a regulated lifting device?

No. IC 22-12-1-22 names platform lifts and stairway chair lifts as regulated lifting devices, then states in subsection (b)(12) that the term does not include "any lifting device in a private residence." The state's annual inspection program is aimed at public and commercial buildings. Ask your local building department about any local electrical or building permit.

Who inspects stairway chair lifts in Indiana public buildings?

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security's Elevators and Amusement Rides Section regulates lift devices and says its inspectors perform inspections annually in places like office buildings, schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Permits, licenses and inspections go through the state's Public Safety Portal. A church or business adding a chair lift should start there.

Will a stairlift work during an Indiana power outage?

Battery models can. Bruno says its stairlifts run on batteries and are designed to make several trips during an outage, and Harmar lists up to 60 trips for the Pinnacle SL300. NOAA's Indiana summary records damaging tornadoes and major snowstorms, so a battery-backed lift is worth considering for a home that depends on its stairs.

Can I borrow assistive technology in Indiana?

The INDATA Project, Indiana's assistive technology act program, lends devices for 30 days from a library of over 2,500 items. It also runs demonstrations statewide and an equipment reuse program, and offers low-interest bank loans from $500 to $30,000 through a lending partner for assistive technology purchases.

Look through the stairlift collection, run the stairlift fit check, or begin with the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Indiana Code 22-12-1-22, regulated lifting device
• Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Elevators and Amusement Rides
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Indiana (2022)
• AT3 Center: Indiana
• INDATA Project services
• Bruno Elite Indoor Straight SRE-2010 (Faith Mobility product page)
• Harmar SL350AC (Faith Mobility product page)
• Bruno Elite Curve Outdoor CRE-2110E (Faith Mobility product page)
• Harmar Pinnacle SL300 (Faith Mobility product page)