movemanSKG Platform Lift Makes Council Building Accessible
- By Boyd Porter
- Published 1st June, 2010
- Business
- Unrated
Boyd Porter
Based in Leicester, movemanSKG is a supplier of specialist lifts. It supplies platform lifts and service lifts for industrial and commercial applications. These include schools and colleges, hotels and restaurants, shops, leisure centres, churches and libraries. movemanSKG also tailor-builds lifts to suit specific customer requirements.
View all articles by Boyd PorterThe Laverton is a historic Victorian
building in the heart of Westbury, Wiltshire. It serves as the town council’s
headquarters and now, thanks to a £100,000 refurbishment, doubles as a
multi-function venue and community centre. Local schools, churches, groups and
businesses use the Laverton for exhibitions, displays, cultural activities,
meetings and training sessions.
The
council wants to ensure the building is accessible to the elderly and people
with physical impairments. Indeed, as the Laverton is a public venue this is
required under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). A movemanSKG Prestige
platform lift allows wheelchair users to reach a large hall on the first floor.
John
Parker, Westbury Town Council’s Project Officer, explains; “Our aim is to increase the Laverton’s usage as a community centre and
we are currently sourcing an additional £200,000 through grant funding to
develop the building further over the next three years. Disabled access is a
top priority for
The
Laverton is Grade II* listed because of its age and historical significance.
This means laws restrict physical changes to the building. For this reason, the
council opted for movemanSKG’s Prestige wheelchair lift. Prestige is
freestanding, has its own self-containing shaft, and requires no wall,
supporting structure or pit. This minimises building work, making it perfect
for listed buildings.
The
Laverton’s Prestige travels over four metres between the two floors. movemanSKG
has modified the wheelchair lift in order to comply with the new Machinery Directive,
which came into effect in January. Changes include an improved console design,
illuminated tactile carriage controls with Braille indication, and an emergency
battery lowering system. The unit also has semi-automatic call buttons at the
landings. These replace the old continuous pressure call buttons.
John
continued; “Prestige is robust, easy to
use, and reliable. It has a large platform that comfortably accommodates a
wheelchair user plus a carer and lifts up to 400kg. The lift has an attractive
cream finish, which means it blends perfectly with its surroundings. The
installation took just a few days and movemanSKG was a pleasure to deal with.”
