Building Regulations – Key Guidance
for Home Lifts
As we age, our mobility decreases,
making it difficult to navigate
stairs and move between different
floors in our homes. Home lifts
have become an increasingly popular
solution for this problem,
providing a convenient and safe
means of transportation. However,
installing a home lift is not as
simple as it may seem. There are a
number of regulations and
guidelines that must be followed to
ensure that the lift is safe,
efficient and compliant with
building regulations.
In this blog post, we will discuss
the key guidance for home lifts as
set out in the Building
Regulations, and what you need to
know before installing a home lift
in your property.
What are Building Regulations?
Building Regulations are a set of
minimum standards that all new and
refurbished buildings must comply
with. They are designed to ensure
that buildings are safe, accessible
and energy efficient. The
regulations cover a wide range of
topics, including structural
stability, fire safety,
ventilation, drainage, and
accessibility.
When it comes to home lifts, the
regulations that are most relevant
are those relating to accessibility
and fire safety.
Accessibility
Accessibility is a key
consideration when it comes to home
lifts. The regulations require that
all new or refurbished buildings
with more than one storey provide
reasonable access to each level.
This means that if you install a
home lift, it must be accessible to
everyone in your household,
including those with mobility
impairments.
The regulations also set out a
number of specific requirements for
home lifts. These include:
-
The lift must be large enough
to accommodate a wheelchair
user and an accompanying person
-
The lift must be located in a
position that is easy to access
from all parts of the dwelling
-
The lift must have a clear
opening of at least 800mm wide
and 2100mm high
-
The lift must be fitted with an
emergency communication system
that enables a person in the
lift to call for help in the
event of an emergency.
Fire Safety
Fire safety is another important
consideration when it comes to home
lifts. The regulations require that
all lifts are designed and
installed in such a way that they
do not present a risk to the safety
of people in the event of a fire.
The specific requirements for home
lifts include:
-
The lift must be located in a
fire-resistant enclosure that
is separate from other parts of
the building
-
The lift must be fitted with
fire-resistant doors that
provide at least 30 minutes of
fire resistance
-
The lift must be fitted with a
smoke alarm that is linked to
the main fire alarm system in
the building
-
The lift must have a means of
escape in the event of a fire,
such as an escape hatch or an
alternative means of escape.
Planning Permission
In addition to complying with
Building Regulations, you may also
need to obtain planning permission
before installing a home lift. This
will depend on a number of factors,
such as the location of your
property, the size and design of
the lift, and whether the property
is listed or in a conservation
area.
If you are unsure whether you need
planning permission, it is
important to check with your local
planning authority before
proceeding with the installation.
Maintenance and Inspection
Once your home lift has been
installed, it is important to
ensure that it is properly
maintained and inspected on a
regular basis. The lift should be
serviced and inspected by a
qualified engineer at least once a
year, and any faults or defects
should be repaired promptly.
Regular maintenance and inspections
will help to ensure that your home
lift remains safe and reliable, and
will also help to identify any
potential problems before they
become more serious.
Conclusion
Installing a home lift can provide
a safe and convenient solution to
the problem of mobility in your
home. However, it is important to
ensure that your lift complies with
all relevant Building Regulations
and guidelines, and that you obtain
any necessary planning permission
before proceeding with the
installation.