PRM lifts
PRM lifts are a practical and efficient way of getting on a stage, onto a terrace, up a flight of stairs or over a few steps. Find out more about PRM lifts, how they differ from traditional lifts and the criteria for selecting a PRM platform lift.
WHAT IS A PRM LIFT ?
What are the main differences between lifts and PRM lifts?
There are major differences between PRM lifts and lifts in terms of design, functionality, cost and regulations.
Regulations and design: Lifts are subject to strict standards and regulations. These include safety, with regular maintenance and a 24-hour emergency line, travel speeds of 1.5 to 3 m/s compared with 0.15 m/s for a platform lift, and larger dimensions than those of an aerial work platform. They are designed to transport people and goods over several storeys. Their installation generally requires a pit, specific machinery and a dedicated duct installed inside the building.
PMR lifts are designed to make it easier for people with reduced mobility to get around. They don’t need as complex an infrastructure as lifts.
Functionality and speed: PRM lifts are generally slower than traditional lifts, ensuring a smooth ascent and descent for people with reduced mobility and disabilities.
Cost and flexibility: One of the key advantages of PRM lifts is that they cost less than a lift. They are more affordable in terms of installation and maintenance costs. What’s more, their flexible design means they can be installed in a wide variety of locations, including existing buildings, without major modifications.
Why choose a PRM platform lift rather than a lift?
When it comes to making a building accessible, the question often arises: should you opt for a PRM platform lift or a traditional lift? While both solutions are interesting, PRM platform lifts offer advantages that make them particularly attractive for many projects.
Installation and maintenance costs: One of the main advantages of PRM platform lifts is their cost. In general, they are cheaper to install than a traditional lift.. This difference can be explained by the simpler design and the absence of complex infrastructure such as a deep pit or engine room. What’s more, the cost of maintaining PRM platform lifts is generally lower.
Space and integration: PRM platform lifts are compact. They require less floor space, making them ideal for buildings with limited space. What’s more, their design allows them to be easily integrated into existing buildings without the need for major structural modifications. Whether installed indoors or outdoors, they adapt easily to the constraints of existing buildings.
Energy consumption: PRM lifts are generally more economical than lifts. They have a simpler lifting mechanism and weigh less. This means savings on electricity bills and a reduced carbon footprint.
When is a PRM lift preferable to a ramp?
PRM lifts offer an alternative to PRM access ramps in certain situations. Here are the main situations where a PRM lift is more appropriate than a ramp.
Ground topography: Installing a ramp can be complicated and costly when the ground is uneven or has significant slopes. PRM platform lifts, with their ability to adapt to different levels in a limited space, offer a simple and more direct solution.
Limited space: In older buildings or town centres, installing a ramp can be complex. Because of their small size, PRM lifts can offer an access solution without taking up too much available space.
Steep slope: Regulations stipulate that access ramps in public buildings must have a 6% gradient to guarantee user safety. In cases where this gradient cannot be respected due to space or height constraints, the use of a ramp becomes dangerous. PRM lifts, on the other hand, can overcome large differences in height without compromising safety.
HOW DO I CHOOSE A PRM LIFT ?
Fixed vs. mobile PRM lifts: What are the differences?
When choosing a PRM lift, you need to consider the type of use: fixed or mobile lifts?
Fixed PRM lifts: As their name suggests, fixed PRM lifts are permanently installed. They offer greater lifting capacity than mobile aerial work platforms. They are installed in public buildings, shopping centres or private residences.
Mobile PRM lifts: Mobile PRM lifts are designed to be moved. They are fitted with wheels and generally run on rechargeable batteries or directly from the mains by plugging into a simple electrical socket. This flexibility of use makes them ideal for temporary access to stages, podiums, trains, etc. In addition, their mobile nature means they can be used in different locations, offering an excellent return on investment.
What are the different types of fixed PRM lifts available?
There are many models of fixed PRM lifts. Their choice depends in particular on their ride height.
Gondola lifts without sheathing: These lifts are often used for small height differences, up to 0.5m. They don’t need a sheath around the nacelle, which makes them more open and less bulky.
Lifts with shaft and wicket door: These models have a partial shaft with a wicket door at the entrance and exit. They are often used in public places where safety is a priority. They can be used to access heights of up to 1.2m.
Lifts with closed shaft: These lifts are the most similar to traditional lifts. They are surrounded by a sheath, offering maximum protection for users. They provide access to heights of up to 3.2m.
How do mobile PRM lifts work, and in what situations are they best suited?
Mobile PRM lifts are designed to provide a temporary accessibility solution. They operate on mains power, or on rechargeable batteries for certain models.
They are particularly suitable for temporary events such as trade fairs, exhibitions and concerts. Places of worship, such as churches, temples or mosques, also benefit from the use of mobile PRM platform lifts, as they can be easily installed for special celebrations and then stored away. Schools and universities can also use these lifts for events and ceremonies.
HOW DO PRM LIFTS IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY ?
How do PRM lifts meet the access needs of buildings?
PRM lifts offer a safe and reliable access solution for public buildings and private homes. They can be installed inside or outside buildings and are designed to withstand demanding conditions of use.
In establishments open to the public (ERP), where there can be large crowds, PRM platform lifts ensure that all visitors can access the buildings. For private homes, they give occupants access to terraces, stoops, floors and staircases, making it easier to move around the home.
What are the advantages of indoor and outdoor PRM lifts?
Indoor PRM lifts are often designed to blend in with existing environments. Whether they’re installed in an entrance hall, corridor or living room, they have a non-slip surface and can be customised to fit in with the surroundings, offering an accessibility solution that doesn’t detract too much from the interior.
Outdoor PRM lifts, on the other hand, are more robust. They are fitted with anti-corrosion materials and paint, as well as reinforced protection for their lifting system, ensuring that they can operate in difficult weather conditions. These PRM lifts provide access to building entrances, terraces, stoops, gardens and other outdoor facilities.
How do PRM lifts adapt to straight or curved staircases?
Stairs are a major obstacle for people with reduced mobility and the disabled. PRM lifts, particularly inclined or sloping platforms, are perfectly suited to negotiating a few steps indoors or outdoors, whether the staircase is straight or winding.
Lifts for straight staircases: For straight staircases, inclined platforms offer a linear and continuous trajectory. These platforms move along a straight guide rail or tube fixed along the wall alongside the staircase or placed on posts installed on the side of the staircase, ensuring a smooth ascent and descent.
Lifts for curved staircases: Spiral staircases, with their curves and bends, require more appropriate solutions. The sloping platforms used for these staircases are fitted with straight and curved guide rails or tubes with specific bends. They can be customised to precisely follow the trajectory of the staircase, with a platform dimension adapted to bends..