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Quick guide to selecting the best stair lift for you
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Click here to buy a stairlift Find your local Stannah Stairlift Distributor
 
  Glossary of stair lift terms
 

 

*Required to comply with standards
 
Adjustable seat height (set by the installer)
A choice of seat-to-footrest heights can be selected (Models 300 and 310)
Benefit
Allows tall or short users to get in and out of the seat easily; also useful for sliding transfers from wheelchairs or for users who have had a hip replacement and must not sit with their knees above hip level.
Arm to footrest linkage (can be removed)
A link from one of the armrests to the footrest so that by folding the arm, the footrest automatically folds up too.
Benefit
Saves you from having to bend down to fold up the footrest - especially helpful when standing on the top landing.
Audible 'off-charge' warning
A distinctive warning sound that indicates your stair lift is not parked in the correct place to recharge the batteries.
Benefit
You can be at ease that your stair lift can never be 'off charge'. Note: a light on one of the armrests also shows that the batteries are charging - just in case you cannot hear the sound.
Battery charger
A 24 Volt battery charger which is usually plugged into a regular household outlet, and is often attached to the wall or floor near one end of the stairlift.
Benefit
Battery power gives your stair lift the smoothest, quietest and most reliable ride.
Battery isolation switch
A switch located on the back or front of the carriage (the part under the seat) dependant on model.
Benefit
Allows the user to isolate the product when not in use for long periods of time such as vacations.
Battery power
Two 12 Volt, rechargeable batteries power the stairlift.
Benefit
Battery power gives your stair lift the smoothest, quietest and most reliable ride.
Carriage
The part of the stairlift between the rail and the seat. Contains the motor, batteries, electronics etc.
Benefit
Keeps the whole stair lift self-contained, which looks better, is faster to install and is more reliable than using cables and a winch on the top landing, as was done in the past.
Charging points
Small devices located at either end of the rail, where the stair lift recharges its batteries (model 260 only)
Benefit
Ensures the stair lift is always ready to use.
Constant charge
Keeps the batteries permanently on charge, as opposed to parking the chair on charging points.
Benefit
Ensures the stair lift is always ready for use, and cannot be left off charge.
Constant pressure controls
A switch located on the end of the armrest.
Benefit
Required by code, these require the user to press a control the whole time the stair lift is moving. If you let go, the stair lift stops instantly.
Curved stair lift
A stair lift travelling along a custom-made rail which is able to turn corners.
Benefit
Allows the user to travel from one end of the staircase to the other, which is simpler, easier and safer than using multiple straight stair lifts.
Cushioned start/stop
The stair lift gently speeds up and slows down at each end of the staircase.
Benefit
Gives a more comfortable ride, particularly for people with bad backs, stenosis of the spine etc.
Footrest lever
A lever located on the side of the carriage (model 260 only) which is used to fold up the footrest.
Benefit
Allows the user to raise/lower the footrest without bending over.
Full harness
A seat belt which goes over both shoulders, around the waist and (optionally) between the legs.
Benefit
A special safety seatbelt for people with limited control over their movements.
Hinge call buttons (powered hinge rail only)
Push-buttons located at either end of the staircase which operate the powered fold-up track on a Stannah 300 stair lift.
Benefit
Allows users can operate the fold-up track from the top or bottom of the stairs.
Keyswitch
A removable key located under one of the armrests, which must be turned on before the stairlift can be used.
Benefit
Allows the stair lift to be locked - especially useful if there are young children in the house.
Lap belt
A seat belt which passes across the lap only.
Benefit
Reassurance and restraint to the user.
Manual hinge (Model 300 only)
A fold-up section at the bottom end of the rail which can be lifted manually. See also 'Powered hinge'.
Benefit
Prevents the stair lift from blocking a doorway or creating a tripping hazard at the bottom of the stairs.
Manual winding facility*
Located on the carriage.
Benefit
Can be used if necessary in the event of a breakdown (designed as a service tool for the engineer)
'On/off' rocker switch*
A 'red/white' switch located at the end of the arm.
Benefit
Should be turned off when the stair lift is not in use, to prevent the chair from moving. When it is switched on, the green light above the switch will light up. This means the stair lift is ready to move.
Over-speed governor*
Safety device located inside the carriage on every stair lift.
Benefit
To bring the lift to an almost immediate stop if there is a gearbox failure.
Paint (310 only)
Rust resistant paint.
Benefit
To maintain the looks of the stairlift in external conditions.
Powered hinge
A hinge located in part of the rail on which the stair lift moves and which can be raised/lowered by simply pressing a button on the wall controls
Benefit
To allow homes where the stair lift would cause a possible obstruction to have a stair lift installed. A powered hinge means that users do not have to bend down to lift the hinged section as they do with a manual hinge
Product cover (310 only)
A cover which is placed directly on top of the chair, covering the whole chair
Benefit
The user can be re-assured that when they remove the cover the stair lift will be clean and dry
Push button controls (optional)
Easy to use toggle buttons mounted on the top of the armrest.
Benefit
These are an alternative to a joystick (a small bar pointing vertically upwards from the armrest) and some people, particularly those with arthritis, might find them easier to use.
Rack Guard
A plastic rack cover
Benefit
Aesthetically more pleasing to the eye
Reduced / Tapered arm (optional)
The arm is tapered so that the maximum swiveling width of the stair lift is reduced
Benefit
Beneficial for users with narrower staircases
Remote controls
Controls located at the top and bottom of the staircase.
Benefit
Enables the stairlift to be called or sent from the landings.
Retractable lap belt - centre clasp
A retractable reel seat belt with a centre clasp
Benefit
An easy and tidy seat belt with the added benefit of the retractable fasten
Retractable lap belt - side buckle
A retractable seat belt with a mechanical buckle.
Benefit
An easy and tidy seat belt with the added benefit of the mechanical buckle.
Retractable lap diagonal belt - side diagonal
A seat belt which goes across the body.
Benefit
An easy to use belt with extra reassurance and restraint to the user.
Safety sensors*
Sensored pads around the footrest and carriage.
Benefit
To stop the stair lift immediately if the footrest or carriage touches an obstruction.
Seat upholstery
Coloured fabric fitted to the seat and backrest.
Benefit
Provides an aesthetically more pleasing view and provides comfort.
Straight Stair lift
A stair lift such as the Stannah 300 designed for installation on totally straight staircases which have no bends or curves in them.
Benefit
Quick installation for a straight staircase.
Swivel seat - manual
The seat may be swiveled manually onto the top landing by first pushing down on a swivel lever (found on both sides of the seat), then rotating the seat, somewhat like an office swivel chair. Releasing the swivel lever locks the seat in place. See also 'Swivel seat - powered'
Benefit
A swivel seat points the user towards the top landing, which is the easiest position for getting in and out of the seat. Also, both armrests may then be used as supports to lean on, and the back of the chair forms a partial barrier across the top of the staircase.
Swivel seat - Powered
The swivel seat is operated from any of the controls.
Benefit
This seat to be turned from the remotes on the top landing, which eliminates the need to stand at the top of the stairs (as is the case with all manual swivels). Also, the chair can now be called down to the bottom of the stairs even if it has been left swiveled at the top. Finally, the powered swivel seat is easier to use when sitting in the stair lift, particularly for people with arthritic legs or symptoms associated with diabetes.
Swivel seat locking positions
The swivel seat on all models locks in one of four positions if the swivel lever on the side of the seat is released.
Benefit
Allows the user to turn the seat into the best position for getting in and out of the seat on the top landing. Also prevents the seat from swiveling too far in the swivel lever is accidentally released.
Unique rail design
Rails which are specially designed for the user's homes.
Benefit
Guarantee that the stair lift fits in a home and tailored to the customer's exact requirements.
Visual 'on-charge' indicator
A yellow LED light on the arm.
Benefit
It provides the user with a positive indication that the batteries are charging.
Visual 'Power-on' indicator
A green LED light on the arm.
Benefit
It provides the user with a positive indication that the stair lift is on and ready to move when the user chooses to operate it.
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