NSC11 LIFTS
Key Principles
A lift must always be provided as an alternative to stairs or an escalator for moving between floors. The lift must be suitable for the numbers of people, the number of floors, time and speed requirements and it must be operable by everyone, independently. 

The design objective should be to ensure that a wheelchair user, anyone else with a mobility aid, or someone with an assistance dog who may be sensory impaired, may enter the lift and operate the controls turning, where relevant, to face the door.

There are four sections to this information sheet:

1. General criteria for all lifts.
This describes the areas around lifts where users will wait, and the standards for the lift call controls.

2. Traditional, enclosed passenger car lifts.
These should be installed in all new developments and all others wherever it is practical to construct a lift to the appropriate standards.

3. Short-rise lifts
This style of lift might be installed in a new development, where, due to site constraints, a passenger lift cannot be accommodated and the aim would be to serve intermediate level changes within the floor of a building.

4. Stair lifts
	They should primarily only be installed in existing buildings where no 	alternative is available. 
Design Criteria
General Criteria for all lifts
* An area at least 1500mm by 1500mm should be provided outside any lift entrance.
* Seating must be provided in the lift lobby to cater for anyone unable to stand whilst waiting. (Numbers should reflect the size and capacity of the lifts).
* The floor number must:
1. Be indicated on a sign on each floor opposite the car door, 
2. Contrast visually with the surrounding face plate, and 
3. The face plate similarly must contrast with the surface on which it is mounted.
* The landing call button symbols must be raised to facilitate tactile reading.
* All call and control buttons must be located wholly within the height range of 900mm to 1100mm, contrast visually with the surrounding face plate, and the face plate similarly must contrast with the surface on which it is mounted. 
Traditional enclosed passenger car lift 
* Lift car floor area must be at least 1500mm by 1500mm to allow users to turn conveniently and to accommodate a scooter.
* The control panel should be wholly within in the height range of 900mm to 1100mm, vertically or horizontally arranged.
* All controls must have raised letters and symbols.
* A clear audio system must be included to describe all the actions of the lift eg doors closing, floor number, etc.
* An effective clear width of at least 800mm (nominal) must be provided to the car door. Power-operated horizontal sliding doors are preferred. 
* Doors are fitted with timing devices and infra-red re-opening activators to allow adequate time for people and any assistance dogs to enter or leave;
* The floor of the lift should not be of a dark colour and should have frictional qualities similar to, or higher than, the floor of the landing;
* Handrail is provided on at least one wall of the lift with its top surface at 900mm (nominal) above the floor and located so that it does not obstruct the controls or the mirror;
* A suitable emergency communication system is fitted suitable fro use by sensory impaired people. 
Short-rise lifts: Design Criteria
This type of lift should be used where it would be impractical to construct a traditional design solution or they are not available. 

* There is a significant change in level that cannot be physically overcome with a 	ramp, as opposed to a pure design expectation.
* That a short rise lift would be appropriate, given the nature of the use of the building.
* The flows of people will be low.
* An alarm system should be installed linked to a member of staff.
* It should be capable of independent operation by the user.
* ???The character of the location is suitable eg not prone to vandalism, subject to supervision by work colleagues or building management staff. 

Stair lifts
They are defined as equipment that either has a platform, or a seat and is fixed to the side of a traditional staircase or wall.
They should only be installed:
* In existing buildings or in extreme cases in buildings undergoing refurbishment where practical construction problems arise. Where a design solution is available that avoids their use, the Council would normally expect such a solution to be implemented.
* Where a ramp, vertical passenger car or short rise lift (described above), cannot be constructed.
* Where the Council’s recommended guidance on this type of lift is followed.  It covers the health and safety aspects of their electrical and mechanical specification. (See 2 Background Documents and Information).
Other Issues

Cross References
16 Signposting
6 Steps
7 Ramps
9 Lobbies