There is a perception that courtroom wheelchair lifts are
unreliable, noisy, and disruptive to the courtroom proceedings.
This perception is based on past experience dealing with old lift
technology.
Wheelchair lifts are not the enemy. A lift is a simple device
that transports the user from one location vertically to another
location. A ramp is often used to provide accessibility from one
elevation to another, but the floor space required for the gradual
slope of 1:12 is often not available in a courtroom. A lift is a
space-efficient way to move people vertically.
What's the problem with courtroom lifts? To answer this
question, the GSA commissioned a Mechanical Lift Analysis of
Courtroom Lifts in 2003. The study was updated in 2005.
The identified problems with courtroom lifts include:
- Lack of standardized platform design - Lift platform location
and size vary from one courtroom to another. This should be
encouraged as architects strive to make the courtroom as functional
and decorative as possible. The lift should integrate seamlessly
with the courtroom and not be a design constraint. Lift
manufacturers should have the flexibility to adapt to the courtroom
layout.
- Sporadic operation of electromagnetic barrier gate locking
system - In the past, there was little interaction between the lift
manufacturer and the millwork provider. This led to coordination
issues that often resulted in the electrical interlocks not working
properly, which caused the lift not to operate. Providing detailed
requirements and instructions to the millwork provider eliminates
this issue.
- Difficulty in maintaining a fixed elevated position over an
extended period of time - Hydraulically actuated lifts were the
most common design in the past. The pressure in the hydraulic
system caused by the weight of the loaded platform would cause
hydraulic oil to flow through the system, allowing the platform to
drift down. When the platform moved off the limit switch, the
hydraulic pump started and moved the platform back up. If this
happened during court proceedings, it was disruptive and often
irritating to the judge. New designs are all electric, remain in
position, and must be powered up or down. This problem has been
solved.
- Unstable custom platform configurations - In the past,
courtroom lifts used a common lifting system to which the desired
platform was attached. When the platform was unusually large or
non-rectangular in shape, the edges of the platform that extended
away from its support would deflect and feel "spongy," leading to
an insecure feeling for the user. New designs provide support to
the platform regardless of shape or size, leaving the platform is
rigid and stable.
- Poorly adapted field conditions for finish details at the
platform and enclosure - This comment is the visual result of the
lack of coordination between the lift manufacturer and the millwork
provider. Better coordination has solved this problem.
- Inappropriate codes and standards currently based on a
multi-story lift condition - Courtroom Lifts and their unique
conditions were never anticipated by the ASME A18.1 Main Committee.
The A18.1 Standard addressed commercial and residential lifts.
LIFT-U shepherded a revision through the process to create a
Courtroom Lift section. The 2008 publication of the A18.1 Standard
includes this new section. Now the typical conditions in a
courtroom will be included in the Standard and will not require the
effort and cost to obtain a variance.
- Remotely located service and parts suppliers - Several lift
manufacturers sell nationally from one location. Service must be
scheduled from the factory and delays are often experienced. By
training local lift dealers and/or elevator companies, this problem
can be prevented.
- Lack of comprehensive design criteria - The hundreds of
courtrooms throughout the United States were designed by different
architects. Only recently has there been a concerted effort to
produce Courtroom Design Guidebooks and best practice efforts to
cause more consistency in courtroom design. There have similarly
been no efforts to create design criteria for wheelchair lifts. The
ASME "A18.1 Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway
Chairlifts" is a national standard that is included in all state
safety requirements. The recently-added Courtroom Lift Section will
provide consistency for the safety requirements of courtroom
lifts.
The U.S. Access Board recognized that many courthouses at all
governmental levels were not fully accessible. In 2004, in order to
create a "Best Practices" document that would be available to all
courthouse designers, the Access Board appointed the Courthouse
Accessibility Advisory Committee to investigate courthouse
accessibility issues and submit a report to assist in the design of
a fully accessible courthouse.
The Courthouse Accessibility Advisory Committee's final report
is available for review at http://www.access-board.gov/caac/report.htm
. In the report, the Committee states that ramps are the preferred
means of providing access, but due to floor space restraints, lifts
are a good solution to accessibility problems.
LIFT-U
Division of Hogan Mfg., Inc. has developed a Courtroom Lift
Accessor line of products that raise the level of appearance and
reliability of wheelchair lifts in courtroom applications.
Perceptions are slow to change, but
the reality has changed. Please check out LIFT-U's products at http://liftu.hoganmfg.com. A
high level of engineering assistance, including free configuration
drawings, is available.
