In-home elevators provide easy access between floors in a home. You may be considering installing one because of need, convenience or to add to the elegance of your home. There are a number of very important items that need to be considered as you plan your residential elevator. Make sure that safety features are top of mind to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Home Elevator Safety Features
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has established the minimum in-home elevator safety standards that an elevator contractor should follow during design, installation and maintenance of a residential elevator.
Talk to your local home elevator company to ensure you understand the required and optional safety features of your home elevator. These may include such items as:
- Capacity (rated load) of your elevator
- Electro-Mechanical door locks
- Elevator car doors and gates
- Car gate/door bypass monitoring
- Light curtains
- Hoistway/landing doors
- Automatic operating controls
- Door baffles
- Emergency communication system
- Audible alarms
- Battery lowering
Safety codes are reviewed regularly and updated as needed. Localized code adoption may vary. Your residential elevator contractor will ensure that new products meet applicable standards and provide advice and recommendations to ensure your elevator always meets local requirements.
Selecting an In-Home Elevator Contractor
There are a number of decisions that need to be made when purchasing a home elevator. The most important of which is selecting a dealer who possess the necessary skills and experience to guide you through the process and bring your vision to life.
A reliable dealer will be affiliated with industry and professional organizations that promote safety and leading-edge technology, such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, National Association of Elevator Contractors, National Association of Home Builders and the Association of Members of the Accessibility Industry. These organizations set industry standards for products and personnel. They also offer professional training so that contractors stay current with industry technology, codes and standards.
A professional residential elevator contractor will have many years of experience and be licensed and certified according to the regulations of the state in which the company does business. Most local home elevator dealers will be endorsed by the manufacturer, offer warranties for their products and provide both routine maintenance and emergency repairs. If you are ready to begin working on your home elevator, contact a local home elevator company today.