Features of Stairlifts

Stairlifts are very useful, reliable and easy to use pieces of equipment. However, as simple as they are to use, behind the scenes they have many different features and functions, including safety features, which allow them to function correctly.

These features include electronic and mechanical braking systems that ensure the stairlift doesn’t carry out an uncontrolled descent; limit sensors that ensure the stairlift always stops in the correct place; and a swivel seat which allows the user to easily get on and off the stairlift.

Other features include:

• Choice of control
• Seat belts
• Pressure sensitive safety surfaces
• Diagnostic digital display
• Slim-line design
• DC battery power
• Fold up seat and footrest
• Overhang
• Stand or perch
• Heavy duty
• Lockable Isolation Switch
• Overspeed Governor

Stairlift Safety Features

When buying a stairlift, you want to know that it is going to be safe to use. This can be ensured by checking which safety features your new stairlift would come with and what it might be missing.

What your stairlift should come with:

1. Dual Electronic and Mechanical Braking Systems

Stairlifts should be fitted with these essential safety systems as standard, in order to eliminate any possibility of an uncontrolled descent of the stairs.

2. Limit sensors

The stairlifts will come to a soft stop due to limit sensors at the end of either an ascent or decent of the stairs. Limit sensors therefore ensure that the stairlift always stops in the correct position.

3. Seat belt

For extra safety and security, many stairlifts come with a choice of seat belts. These include a lap harness or an over the shoulder harness. Both of these seat belts add extra safety to the customer’s journeys up and down the stairs.

4. Lockable isolation switch

Some stairlifts can be locked using a key. This ensures that unauthorised users, such as children, are not able to accidentally use the stairlift.

5. DC power

DC power ensures that stairlifts do not trail an electrical cable, but instead is self-powered. The batteries for DC powered stairlifts often charge when the stairlift is at rest either at the top or bottom of the stairs. An average, fully charge battery should power approximately 15 trips up and down the stairs.

DC Power Vs. AC Power

Stairlifts have been part of our lives for many years. This has resulted in them going through many necessary changes and updates in order to improve the quality of the product. One of these improvements was the introduction of the use of DC power rather than AC power. Direct current (DC) power enables the stairlifts to work using battery power packs rather than cables. Ultimately, DC power makes stairlifts safer and smoother to use, as well as all of the advantages listed below:

• Improves ride performance
• Ensures smoother starting and stopping of the stairlift
• Ensures the stairlift is maintenance free
• Saves money as the battery packs are inexpensive to replace
• Ensures the stairlift still works during a power cut which further means that you aren’t stranded half way up or down the stairs