Residential Elevators | Advent Home & Access

Recently, I have been fielding an increased number of questions from Case Managers concerning the requirements and applications of the New Hampshire "Elevator and Accessibility Lift Law".   Since all elevators and accessibility lifts installed in New Hampshire must comply with this law, a working knowledge of its requirements is helpful for anyone involved in the process of providing this equipment to the disabled community.  In this post, I'll try to respond to the issues Case Managers have asked about.  DISCLAIMER:  This information is meant as a helpful reference only and is not intended as any sort of official interpretation.

The equipment covered by the law includes elevators, vertical and inclined platform lifts and stair lifts.  The Elevator and Accessibility Lift Law was written to ensure user safety by mandating which type of lift - commercial or residential - can be installed in any given setting and the requirements for safety and inspection of each.

• Residential grade lifts are the typical elevator, wheelchair platform lift or stair lift intended for use by a specific individual in a private residence.  These units come with basic safety features such as an emergency stop switch and a safety device that stops lift movement if an obstruction is encountered. 

• Commercial grade lifts are designed for use in public spaces where the lift is available to a variety of users.  For this reason, they are required to have additional safety features, such as gates or doors with interlocks to limit unauthorized access, an over speed device that will disable the controls and prevent the unit from moving in the event of a malfunction, plus others.  They must be inspected and certified by the NH Department of Labor (NH DOL) Elevator Inspection Division for proper operation upon installation and annually thereafter.

In New Hampshire, the installation of a residential lift may be subject to local permitting, but no other inspections or approvals are required by the state.  Commercial lifts, however, require pre-installation plan approval, certification for initial operation, annual inspection/recertification by the NH DOL  - all of which require fees - and the timely reporting (within 48 hours) of any accidents occurring during the ongoing use of the lift. The additional fees, plus the higher purchase price of a commercial grade unit, make it more expensive to buy and maintain than a residential grade lift.

The use

Elevators Are the Next Step Up;  Conversions Gain in Popularity For Aging or Infirm Homeowners

The Washington Post / June 25, 2005 / Elizabeth Festa

The Washington region is "one of the largest growth areas we have right now," said Ray Varner, East Coast sales representative for Inclinator Co. of America, which bills itself as the oldest residential elevator manufacturer in America, dating from 1929. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars to add an elevator to a house. Still, Varner said, "prices of homes now on the East Coast have gravitated to the point where the elevator is not changing the cost of your mortgage to a great degree."

I am constantly amazed (and saddened) at how many people entering their “Golden Years” just assume that they’ll no longer be able to manage the multi-story house they’ve raised their family in and that they’ll have to move to a single story home.  As an “access” professional at Advent Home & Access in New Hampshire, I spend a lot of my time educating people on the alternatives available to them, such as a residential elevator, stairlift or platform lift for wheelchair use.  Invariably, the cost/benefit ratio of retrofitting their existing home with a simple piece of access equipment far outweighs the emotional and financial stresses of moving.  The response is usually relief and often tears as they realize that they can continue to enjoy the comfort and familiarity of their existing home.  I go home happy at the end of every day knowing that I helped someone keep the home they love!

 M Freiberger
Advent Home & Access
www.adventhomeaccess.com

Today’s residential elevators are high quality, low maintenance and are surprisingly affordable. They can be incorporated into the plans for new construction or retrofitted into an existing home. The addition of a residential elevator is truly the ultimate way to “age proof” any home, as it will eliminate the potential for access limitations created by physical disabilities.

Any builder will tell you, it is always cheaper to “build up” with a multi story plan than to “build out”, spreading the desired square footage over precious real estate. The cost of adding a residential elevator to a new construction floor plan can often be off-set by the savings realized on foundation and roofing materials! In addition, an elevator can be the ideal solution for building lots that are small or are limited by the requirements of shoreland setbacks.

Whether for luxury or necessity, a residential elevator is a practical addition that will add convenience and value to any home!