Installing a Lifting Platform for PRM: How to Make a Building Accessible to Everyone
Every person has the right to equal access to social, administrative, and commercial infrastructure. For people with reduced mobility (PRM) — persons with disabilities, the elderly, parents with baby strollers — this is not a matter of comfort, but a basic necessity to use services, work, and lead a full life. One of the key elements of a barrier-free environment is the installation of a lifting platform for PRM. This technical solution allows overcoming height differences where it is impossible to install a ramp — at building entrances, between floors, in underground parking lots, and other places with limited space.
What Is a Lifting Platform for PRM and When Is It Necessary
A lifting platform for PRM is a special mechanism designed for the vertical or inclined movement of people with reduced mobility. Unlike conventional elevators, lifting platforms can be installed in conditions of limited space where it is not possible to construct an elevator shaft. According to DBN V.2.2-40:2018 “Inclusivity of Buildings and Structures,” ensuring accessibility is mandatory for new construction, reconstruction, capital repairs, and restoration of objects. These requirements are mandatory for all legal entities and individuals in Ukraine. Key cases when installing a lifting platform is necessary:
- Entrance groups — if there are steps or height differences at a building entrance, and installing a ramp is impossible due to lack of space or architectural constraints.
- Vertical communications inside a building — in cases where there is no elevator or its installation is technically complex.
- Underground and elevated passages — to ensure access to parking lots, basement floors, etc.
- Low-rise objects — where installing a full-size elevator is economically inefficient.
The GlobalBud Ukraine company provides all necessary services for building construction inclusivity.
Key Requirements for Lifting Platforms According to DBN
When designing and installing lifting platforms, a number of technical parameters must be considered:
- platform dimensions — must provide space for a wheelchair with a person (usually at least 90×120 cm);
- load capacity — must correspond to the user’s weight plus the wheelchair, typically from 300 kg;
- lifting speed — must be safe and comfortable for the user, typically not exceeding 0.15 m/s;
- control system — buttons must be located at an accessible height (0.85–1.1 m from floor level), be high-contrast, and be duplicated in Braille for visually impaired persons;
- handrails and guards — mandatory for user safety;
- automatic doors or barriers — to prevent accidental falls.
Project documentation must contain a separate section on ensuring accessibility for PRM. When commissioning an object, state architectural and construction control authorities verify the actual fulfillment of these requirements.
How Lifting Platform Installation Works
The process of installing a lifting platform for PRM consists of several stages:
- Object inspection — specialists conduct a technical audit of the premises or territory, determine the optimal installation location, and assess structural capabilities.
- Design — an individual solution is developed taking into account DBN V.2.2-40:2018, room dimensions, and user needs.
- Site preparation — construction work is carried out: base preparation, power supply connection, and if necessary, creating niches or shafts.
- Equipment installation — mounting the lifting platform, electrical connection, and setting up control and safety systems.
- Object verification and commissioning — testing the lifting platform under load, verifying compliance with all safety requirements, and completing necessary documentation.
It is important to remember that installing a lifting platform without preliminary technical inspection and design can lead to building code violations, which are grounds for refusing to issue a certificate of readiness and imposing fines.
Liability for Absence of a Lifting Platform
Failure to comply with inclusivity requirements can have serious consequences:
- refusal to issue a certificate of readiness for building operation;
- imposition of fines by regulatory authorities;
- lawsuits regarding inclusivity;
- obligation to remediate violations at one’s own expense.
The GlobalBud Ukraine company provides a full range of services in the field of ensuring inclusivity of building objects, including technical audits for DBN compliance, project documentation development, and support during object commissioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it mandatory to install a lifting platform for PRM if the building already has a ramp?
If the ramp meets all DBN requirements (slope not exceeding 8%, width not less than 90 cm, availability of handrails), a lifting platform may not be needed. However, in cases where a ramp cannot be constructed due to lack of space or architectural constraints, installing a lifting platform is mandatory.
Who has the right to install lifting platforms for PRM?
Lifting equipment must be installed by certified specialists who have appropriate permits and experience working with such equipment. It is important that the project documentation is developed in compliance with DBN V.2.2-40:2018 requirements.
