We have special tools at our warehouse for the job including a saw with a special blade which can cut through aluminum.
Once the rails are cut to the correct length, we finish other prep work including installation of the charging strip as well as connecting and clamping the two lengths of rail together. We also attached the feet in an adjustable way so we will be able modify them to the exact spacing needed once we were on site.
We’ve arrived at the client’s home and we can see Phil making adjustments to the feet placement so that they are in the right spot for the stair treads. We’ll also be adding some extension plates with support stanchions on the for the Zero Intrusion feature of the Handicare 1100 straight stair lift.
The power pack has been mounted on the rail. It contains four motors inside and uses a special Friction Drive technology which grips the rail from the outside. This is different from other stairlifts on the market which use a rack and pinion system instead. No grease, no mess here. Instead, a nice smooth and quiet ride.
Derek shows the swivel handles on the chair seat for the stairlift. The Handicare 1100 has the ability to swivel either left or right, depending on the individual circumstances. This one will be configured on the left (as you’re looking up from the bottom) and we’ll use the right swivel so that the user can easily and safely exit the stairlift at the top of the stairs.
We’ve finished mounting the seat and running power. We’ll perform some testing and adjust the cams so that the stair lift stops in the correct position both top and bottom.
Now that the final safety tests have been run, the final placement on the steps can be completed. We pre-drill the hard wood to prevent cracking and then screw down the metal plate extenders with the stanchion supports. These supports are the design adjustment to incorporate the Zero Intrusion feature so there’s no tripping hazard created at the top of the stairs for the office.
Look how snug to the wall the stairlift is installed. This ensures that the stairs are safe for other people in the home too. With the seat and footrest folded up, it also prevents the stairlift becoming an obstacle for those entering the front door.
The stair lift installation is complete and nicely stored at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for it’s user to arrive home.
Watch the video above to see the entire process from start to finish.
Visit our Stair Lift FAQ’s for answers to the most common questions.