FAQs
Do your lifts comply with the DDA?
There is no such thing as DDA compliance. The DDA itself does not give a specification
for the design of platform or any other type of lift.
However, what you need to know is that our lifts are built to the advisory British
Standards (BS6440-1999 & BS8300-2001) Part M2 of the Building Regulations, ISO9386 and,
more importantly, they comply with the statutory requirement of our
industry, the European Machinery Directive.
In other words, in purchasing a lift from Independent Access, you will have one that
conforms to all the relevant standards and directives.
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Do your lifts need a pit?
No. These lifts are installed with a minimal recess in the lower floor slab (Ambassador
= 55mm, Diplomat = 50mm) which is simply so that the platform sits flush with the floor.
If this is not possible, we can provide a small fixed, splayed ramp instead.
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What’s the average headroom requirement?
The Ambassador and Diplomat both have a door frame height of 2250mm and neither needs
machinery above the lift.
Although there is a requirement for a little more space for installation purposes, we
can usually find a solution to most headroom problems.
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Are your lifts fire-rated?
No. We can provide one-hour fire doors but the shaft itself needs to be enclosed in
some sort of fire resistant material. (We can advise on how to do this but cannot
comment on the specific requirement for a fire-rated lift or the suitability of the
materials you intend to use – if in doubt, you must seek the advice of your local
Building Control Fire officer).
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Can the doors be on any side?
Yes. The workings of the lift need to be on one of the long-side dimensions and doors
can be on any of the other three elevations (you can even have more than one door at any
level). However, if the lift is single entry or through car, we recommend that the
doors be on the shorter dimension.
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What’s your platform size?
Our standard platform dimensions are 1400mm x 1100mm on the Ambassador and 1480mm x
1100mm on the Diplomat to comply with Part M2 of the Building Regulations (section 3.43,
item iii).
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Must I have “hold to run” controls?
Yes. This is because Platform Lifts are classified in the legislation as “Machinery”
rather than “Lifts,” which means that the operator must be in control at all times.
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Can the lifts be installed externally?
Yes & No! The Ambassador has to be enclosed in a weatherproof shaft, but the Diplomat
can be installed externally dependent on specific site conditions. Contact our Sales
Dept to discuss further or to arrange a site meeting.
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What electrical supply do the lifts require?
The Ambassador runs on single phase so there is no need to install a three phase supply.
However, the Diplomat can run on either, dependent on site requirements. Must be
specified at time of order.
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Do you supply drawings?
Yes. We have an in-house drawing office and design team. Once an order has been placed
with us, we supply full, site-specific, builder’s work drawings for your approval.
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Do you actually manufacture lifts?
Yes, and we have done so since 1993. Our Ambassador range is widely accepted as being
the best of its type when it comes to quality as standard.
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