Newcastle Centre of Life Lifts its Access Facilities

Platform lift installation at The Centre of Life, Newcastle

The Centre for Life in Newcastle is all about providing an enjoyable, educational experience for adults and children. Science is a fascinating subject and the centre brings it to life with interactive displays, exhibitions and activities. It attracts 200,000 visitors every year and incorporates a research utility, which focuses on stem cell technology and climate change.

The centre is also used as an education resource and works with schools and colleges to provide a rewarding experience for young students. Specialist exhibitions are regularly on display, which cover a wide range of popular and diverse topics. With the centre being so busy, disabled access is an essential requirement. It also has responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

The DDA first became law in 1995 and aimed to end discrimination that the less able face. The act gave less able people rights in the areas of employment, education, access to goods, facilities and services, and buying or renting land or property. Extended in 2004 and 2005, it is an essential consideration in the planning and construction of public buildings and workplaces.

The development of legislation to improve the rights of the less able is an ongoing process. The October 2004 amendment requires 'service providers' to take reasonable steps to tackle physical features, which act as a barrier to disabled people who want to access their services. Businesses and organisations are classed as service providers, which include shops, restaurants, leisure centres and places of worship.

This often means making building alterations to make disabled access easier. This could include putting in a ramp or lift to replace steps, or improving access to toilet and washing facilities. The Newcastle Centre of Life was planning a new exhibition based around human origins and future, which meant renovating existing buildings. A platform lift was incorporated into the building designs, to allow wheelchair users to travel between levels.

There are many things to take into account when selecting and installing a new platform lift. Proper advice and assistance is crucial to make sure the platform lift selected is suitable for the application. It also makes for a swift, seamless installation and an excellent maintenance service.

How far the platform lift needs to travel is important when deciding which one to buy. There are different models available for short journeys (around 900mm) and long journeys (usually anything over 1½ metres). The centre required a lift height of 1.5 metres. Lift dimensions must also be taken into account to ensure the lift fits in the allocated space. Some platform lift companies have standard models, others will tailor make products to customers' specific requirements.

The Newcastle Centre of Life needed an enclosed lift, which was compact enough to fit in the allotted space, yet big enough to be comfortable for the user. Because many exhibits in the centre are push button operated, the lift controls needed to be converted to key access to prevent confusion. This would also prevent children and vandals abusing the lift. The centre set about approaching a major platform lift supplier for advice and a solution.

A key issue in the platform lift industry is the nature of the building and the application. An office may opt for functionality over aesthetics, as how the lift looks may not be particularly important. The Newcastle Centre of Life is a public venue and a business, so aesthetics was also important as it contributes to the image of the company. The nature of the building will help determine the type of lift, for instance an internal or external model. The centre required a vertical lift with its own integral shaft.

After consulting the supplier, the centre opted for a popular market model that has a load capacity of 400kg and travels to a height of up to nine metres. The lift comes complete with its own shaft that features a ceiling, fluorescent lighting and emergency back up lighting. It is LANTAC (Local Authority National Type Approval Confederation) approved, which means it has undergone rigorous safety checks and is compliant with building regulations. A large 1100mm x 1500mm platform ensures there is room for a wheelchair user and a carer.

Controlled acceleration and deceleration at both landings mean no uncomfortable jolting. The lift also has the option of powered doors and a choice of finishes. A handsome lift, it can be adapted to suit any environment. The centre's requirement for modified, key operated controls was easily taken care of and the installation was completed quickly and efficiently. With the new platform lift in operation, the Newcastle Centre of Life has a high level of disabled access.