Vertical Transportation Application Guide
An introduction to the services and solutions Arrow Lift can provide to meet your project needs.
Commercial Accessibility
Platform Lifts
ALL MN/WI COMMERCIAL PLATFORM LIFTS...
- Must be installed by licensed MN/WI Elevator Contractor
- Must be inspected by State of MN/WI Elevator Inspector (Minneapolis & St. Paul have separate jurisdictions)
- Provide vertical transportation to anyone with accessibility limitations, especially those in wheelchairs
- Require the user to operate constant pressure controls
- Are required to meet all applicable State & National codes including lift code, electrical code, building code, & accessibility codes
- Are required to meet minimum platform sizes in order to meet code
- Are limited by code to travel no more than 30 feet per minute (although industry standard is less than 15 fpm)
- Are limited to no more than 14 feet of travel (VPLs only)
- Are limited by code to carry a load of no more than 750 lbs
- Are allowed by code a maximum platform size of 18 square feet
Vertical Platform Lifts - Unenclosed Lifts
- Are NOT allowed in public buildings or places of worship
Vertical Platform Lifts - Shaftway Lifts
- Require construction of an enclosure (shaftway) by others
- Are permitted in public buildings & places of worship
- May be provided with pass through, same side, or 90 degree configurations
- May require installation of power operated doors in order to meet code
- May require installation of fire-rated doors in order to meet code
- Are permitted to provide access between fire-separated or non-fire-separated areas
Vertical Platform Lifts - Self-Contained Enclosure Lifts
- Typically require minor alteration construction
- Are permitted in public buildings & places of worship
- May be provided with pass through, same side, or 90 degree configurations
- May require installation of power operated doors in order to meet code (VPLs only)
- Are permitted to provide access between non-fire-separated areas
Inclined Platform Lifts
- Are permitted in public buildings & places of worship if certain provisions are met
- Typically require minor alteration construction
- May be provided with pass through or 90 degree configuration
- Are required to be provided with restraining arms to meet code
- Are required to meet certain minimum overhead requirements in order to meet code
- Are permitted to provide access between non-fire-separated areas
Limited Use Elevators
Benefits
- Provide vertical transportation within an enclosed, self-lit elevator car with sliding passenger elevator-style doors
- Are permitted in public buildings & places of worship
- Are operated by the single push of a button
- Are permitted to provide access between fire-separated or non-fire-separated areas
Specifications
- Require construction of a hoistway by others
- Typically require construction of a machine room by others
- Typically require construction of an 14" pit
- Typically require a minimum overhead (floor to ceiling measurement) of 9'6"
- Are always provided with power operation of car and landing doors
- Are allowed by code to travel at speeds of up to 30 feet per minute
- Are allowed by code a maximum platform size of 18 square feet
- Are allowed by code to carry a load of up to 1400 lbs
- Are allowed by code travel of up to 25 feet
Passenger Elevators
Benefits
- Provide vertical transportation within an enclosed, self-lit elevator car with sliding doors
- Are permitted in public buildings & places of worship
- Are operated by the single push of a button
- Are permitted to provide access between fire-separated or non-fire-separated areas
Specifications
- Require construction of a hoistway by others
- Require construction of a machine room by others
- Require construction of a pit - depth is typically 3-4' and may vary by elevator system & application
- Are always provided with power operation of car gate and landing doors
- Are not limited in speed by code (although significant construction & safety provisions must be made as speed increases)
- Are not limited in size or capacity by code (although significant construction & safety provisions must be made as size/capacity increases)
- Are not limited in travel by code
IN-HOME ACCESSIBILITY
Residential Elevators
Specifications
- For use in private residences only
- Are allowed by code travel of up to 50 feet
- Typically require construction of an 8" pit
- Require construction of a hoistway by others
- May require construction of a machine room by others
- Are permitted to provide access between fire-separated or non-fire-separated areas
- May require installation of fire-rated doors in order to meet code
- Are allowed by code to travel at speeds of up to 40 feet per minute
- Must be installed by licensed MN/WI Elevator Contractor (MN/WI sites)
- Inspected by State of MN/WI Elevator Safety Section (MN/WI sites)
Benefits
- Provide travel within an enclosed, self-lit elevator car with a sliding or collabsible car gate
- Are operated by the single push of a button
- Are often provided with finished hardwood, stone, or glass cars to enhance the value and appearance of a home
- May be provided with power operation of car gate and landing doors
- May be provided with pass through, same side, or 90 degree configurations
Stairway Chairlifts
Specifications
- For use in private residences only
- Must be installed by licensed MN Elevator Contractor (MN only)
- Inspected by State of MN Elevator Safety Section (MN only)
Benefits
- Provide vertical transportation to anyone who can sit and stand
- User (or attendant) must be able to operate constant pressure controls
- Require little to no alteration construction
Platform Lifts
ALL PLATFORM LIFTS...
- Must be installed by licensed MN Elevator Contractor
- Must be inspected by State of MN Elevator Inspector (Minneapolis & St. Paul have separate jurisdictions)
- Provide vertical transportation to anyone with accessibility limitations, especially those in wheelchairs
- Require the user to operate constant pressure controls
- Are limited by code to travel no more than 30 feet per minute (although industry standard is less than 15 fpm)
- Are allowed by code a maximum platform size of 18 square feet
- Are limited by code to carry a load of no more than 750 lbs
- Are limited to no more than 14 feet of travel
- (see Page 3 COMMERCIAL ACCESSIBILITY for more requirements specific to VPLs in Commercial applications)
Vertical Platform Lifts - Unenclosed Lifts
- Are permitted for use in private residences only
- Must be provided with a pass through or 90 degree configuration
- Are permitted to provide access between non-fire-separated areas
- Typically require little to no alteration construction
- Commonly used in porch or garage applications
Vertical Platform Lifts - Shaftway Lifts
- Require construction of an enclosure (shaftway) by others
- Are permitted to provide access between fire-separated or non-fire-separated areas
- May require installation of fire-rated doors in order to meet code
- Are permitted for use in both public or private applications
- May be provided with pass through, same side, or 90 degree configurations
Vertical Platform Lifts - Self-Contained Enclosure Lifts
- Typically require minor alteration construction
- Are permitted to provide access between non-fire-separated areas
- Are permitted for use in both public or private applications
- May be provided with pass through, same side, or 90 degree configurations
Inclined Platform Lifts
- Typically require minor alteration construction
- May be provided with pass through or 90 degree configuration
- Are required to be provided with restraining arms to meet code
- Are required to meet certain minimum overhead requirements in order to meet code
- Are permitted to provide access between non-fire-separated areas
