Will a Stairlift Block the Hallway? How I Check Narrow Landings in Lafayette, LA
Stairlifts often create obstructions at the top of the stairs, even if the stairs themselves are clear. In one situation in Lafayette, I evaluated more than the stair lift. I evaluated the clearance between the folded stair lift, the clear passage between the stairs and any doors, hallway traffic, the area where the seat would need to swivel, and clear passage at both the top and bottom of the stairs.
This is especially important in assessing situations in Scott, Carencro, Lafayette and Duson.
At 101 Mobility of Lafayette, it is important for me to evaluate the conditions at the top and bottom of the staircase. The conditions at the top can limit the use of a stair lift. The clearance at the bottom is important if the stair lift has to park against a door.
When evaluating clear passage of stairs, I also consider the width of the handrail. If there is no handrail, then the clear passage is not as limiting.
Finding the best solution can require evaluating many limiting conditions. Once the limitations of a staircase have been evaluated, many families are interested in how much passage the stairlift will occupy.
This is where the width of the folded stairlift comes in. The narrower the staircase, the more the folded stairlift will occupy the clear passage.
Straight stairlifts will occupy less clear passage when parked, compared to a stairlift with other bends in its track.
The Bruno Elan Straight Rail Stairlift includes manual flip-up arms, seat, and footrest. The Vertical Rail is installed within five inches of a standard wall-side installation.
While these features are helpful in describing a product, they do not answer the whole story.
What is the width of the staircase? Where is the existing handrail? How much clear passage does the household require?
I am concerned with the existing and future users of the staircase.
It is possible that a stairlift has been installed to meet building codes and clear passage, but it may be too constraining for normal usage.
When modifying staircase clearance in Scott, LA, I look to take clear passage beyond the staircase. I look to see where a hallway or clear passage begins and ends.
The focus is to modify the staircase to allow for the clear passage of a user and a folded stairlift.
Stairlift Landings
When considering door swing and staircase clearance, a stairlift may interfere with the clear passage to a door.
I investigate doors on both ends of the staircase.
Does a door swing in the path of the stairlift rail?
Does a door obstruct the stairlift clear passage?
These questions are important as a stairlift can impact and obstruct other clear passages in a home.
When testing a stairlift door swing in Carencro, I check the door swing by hand to show the full range of motion rather than just checking to see if it closes.
There are times when the conflict is with the stairlift rail itself.
Folding rails can resolve a clearance issue with other objects.
It is important to keep in mind that folding rails do not address all clearance issues. There are several issues that remain unresolved.
Folding rails only address issues with the rail itself. Other clearance issues with a staircase, such as door clearance to board and alight the stairlift, remain unresolved.
For this reason, I assess the rail and staircase as a whole.
Seat Swivel
Top landing issues also need to be considered independently.
Many stairlift models swivel the seat to allow the user to clear the staircase.
Bruno offers models with swiveling seats that are offset from the rail.
Harmar also offer models with offset swivel seats.
The swivel feature does alter the clearance required for a seat. I address issues related to swivel seats on stairlifts to find the best solution for my customers.
The width of a hallway can be such that the seat of a stair lift can be easily carried through it, but the transfer position cannot.
Also related to this, is the depth of the landing.
I modify the dimensions for each home based on the factors above as well as other constraints specific to that user and situation.
If the top landing is obstructed and doesn’t have a clear area large enough for a transfer, then I don’t think it is appropriate to install a stair lift. Just because the rail can be installed there, does not mean it should.
There are other considerations.
Sometimes, it would be better to explore other product solutions or consider an alternative pathway to the staircase.
Fundamentally different Products for Short-Run Straight Staircases
Other times, the staircase and the landings are sufficiently clear to allow for other solutions to be explored.
I look at multiple options and then make a determination.
Bruno Elan Straight Rail Stairlift
The Bruno Elan Straight Rail Stairlift is another example of a stairlift that is designed for use on straight staircases.
It has a folding seat and a folding footrest and can be installed closely to the side of the wall.
It also has a power swivel feature.
While these features may create more clearances in a landing or hallway, I still have to evaluate the final position of the stairlift and ensure it fits in the available space of the home.
Harmar Pinnacle
The Harmar Pinnacle has a variety of models that have different folding sizes and weights.
Here is a list of more similar products.
According to 101 Mobility, the folded width of the SL300 is 11 inches (13.6 inches with the folding rail) and the folded width of the SL600 is 10.5 inches (13.6 inches with the folding rail). The SL600HD is stated to have a folded width of 17 inches.
Taking folded measurements into account only works when comparing similar models.
The SL300 has a smaller folded measurement, but this doesn’t mean it is the better model for the user.
I consider several other factors including the user, the angle of the staircase, the layout of the landings, the capacity of the stairlift, door clearances, and normal use of the staircase by other members of the household.
A stairlift with the smallest folded measurement doesn’t always mean the lift will best fit the staircase.
Once the stairlift is installed, I demonstrate to the household how the seat and other components operate. I show them the parked position of the stairlift and show them how to use the stairlift to optimize clearance of other household members.
I demonstrate for members of the household how to ride the stairlift, including exiting at the top and boarding at the bottom, as well as any potential clearances we may have with doors or other household obstructions.
We review the charging behavior of the stairlift and control functions if we have an installed model of the Elan or Pinnacle.
I evaluate the normal use of household members again to determine if the stairlift meets the needs of the household members.
Will the stairs still be accessible?
Is the handrail still accessible?
Will doors still function properly?
Is the furniture (chair) still in the position agreed upon?
These are essential questions after the installation.
Our team is always available if you have questions or need service and support after the installation.
To see if a stairlift would obstruct a hallway or landing in the Scott, Carencro, Lafayette, or Duson areas, schedule a free in-home consultation. During the consultation, we will measure your stairs, check a stairlift to ensure it fits the way your house is used, and consider the normal functions of the house.
FAQ: Stairlift Fit on Narrow Staircases and Landings
Can a stairlift be installed on a staircase that obstructs a hallway?
Yes, a stairlift can be installed on a staircase that obstructs a hallway if the parked position of the stairlift chair or the bottom rail obstructs the hallway. I examine both landings and the normal routes through the house to determine potential obstructions.
What is the folded size of a stairlift?
The folded size of a stairlift varies based on the model. The Harmar Pinnacle, for example, has a folded width of 10.5″ to 17″ based on the model, and a folded rail would increase that size.
Can stairlifts block doors at the bottom of staircases?
Yes, stairlifts can block doors and narrow hallways. Not all models will provide a flexible rail option that mitigates this issue. I will examine the position of the chair and the clear space on the adjacent landings.
Is it important to have the seat at the top landing to swivel?
Yes, the swivel seat can change the direction of clearance the stairlift occupant uses to exit the chair. I assess the position the seat rotates to, the walls and doors in the surrounding the clear area at the landing, and the direction the stairlift occupant will be exiting.
Will other occupants of the staircase be able to use the staircase with a stairlift installed?
This will depend on several factors including how wide the staircase is, the position of the stairlift rail, the stair rail handrail, and normal household staircase usage. I will assess the situation to determine if there will be adequate clearance to use the staircase.
What will happen if there is not adequate space at the landings?
I will look for other design solutions to provide floor to floor access. Other design solutions may include using a different stairlift configuration, changing the stairlift side, or looking at other alternatives to provide floor to floor access.
About the Author
Jonas Boutte is the owner of 101 Mobility of South Louisiana and has hands-on training from accessibility-equipment manufacturers including Bruno, Harmar, Stiltz, Staying Home, EZ-ACCESS, National Ramp, and others. He helps families throughout Lafayette and surrounding communities evaluate stairlifts and other accessibility solutions based on the person, staircase, landings, home layout, and daily routine.
