A motorised chair or platform that travels along a rail fixed to the staircase to transport a person with mobility impairment between floors without the need for a full elevator installation.
Full Definition
A stairlift consists of a rail (straight, curved, or multi-section) fixed directly to the staircase structure (not to walls), a drive unit with a rack-and-pinion or roller chain mechanism, a seat with armrests and footrest, and safety devices including overspeed governor, obstruction sensors, and end-of-run limit switches. Seat capacity is typically 120–160 kg; speed ≤0.15 m/s (EN 81-40 specification for stairlifts). The EN 81-40:2020 standard covers inclined home lifts for people with impaired mobility. Key features: continuous upholstery pressure seat sensor stopping motion if the seat is unoccupied or if an obstacle is detected; swivel seat for safe boarding at landings; fold-away seat, footrest, and armrests to allow non-users full stair access. Straight-rail stairlifts can be installed within 1–2 days; curved-rail stairlifts require custom-manufactured rails and typically take 4–6 weeks from survey to installation.
