Platform Lift Installation in Dorset

At Lift Services, we design, supply, and install platform lifts in Dorset that provide reliable, compliant access for wheelchair users and mobility‑impaired passengers in commercial, residential, and public buildings across the UK. 

We deliver turnkey projects in Dorset, from survey and specification through to installation, commissioning, certification, and aftercare, ensuring a fully compliant solution that integrates seamlessly with your building and day-to-day operations.

We’ll advise the correct route in Dorset for your site and take care of documentation, risk assessments, and handover training.

Request a free quote from our specialist platform lift installation team today in Dorset.

Get in touch

What Is A Platform Lift in Dorset?

A platform lift is a powered lifting device that moves passengers, usually a wheelchair user and optionally an attendant, between levels at a low speed (typically ≤0.15 m/s). 

Unlike full passenger lifts in Dorset, platform lifts utilise simpler machinery (screw-drive, hydraulic, or MRL traction), require minimal pit and headroom, and are ideal where a traditional lift shaft is impractical or cost-prohibitive.

Typical travel ranges include 0.5–2 m for step lifts, up to ~7 m for enclosed vertical platform lifts, and stair‑following routes for inclined platform lifts in Dorset. 

Controls in Dorset are generally constant‑pressure (hold‑to‑run) for safety, with interlocked doors/gates and on‑car safety edges. 

Many models in Dorset operate on a single-phase 230 V supply with low energy demand and battery-backed emergency lowering.

Our platform lift projects in Dorset are built around UK Building Regulations Part M accessibility requirements and the Equality Act 2010, with equipment compliant to BS EN 81‑41 (vertical lifting platforms) or BS EN 81‑40 (inclined platforms). 

Depending on travel and configuration in Dorset, platform lifts are supplied under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations (UKCA marked), rather than the Lifts Regulations. 

Which Types Of Platform Lifts Do You Install in Dorset?

We install all major platform lift formats in Dorsetand tailor each to the building use, route, and duty cycle. 

Vertical enclosed platform lifts in Dorset (with a self‑supporting modular shaft) suit schools, GP surgeries, offices, and retail where travel is up to ~7 m and you want a clean architectural finish without building a masonry shaft. 

Open step lifts in Dorset work perfectly for short rises at entrances (e.g., 600–1,000 mm), providing fully compliant access without the need for long ramps that consume valuable floor space.

For protected stairways or heritage interiors in Dorset, inclined platform lifts run along the stair, folding away when not in use to preserve egress. 

Where aesthetics matter in Dorset, we specify glass panels, powder‑coated structures, and custom doors. 

We’ll advise on platform sizes in Dorset (e.g., 1100 × 1400 mm for wheelchair users, larger for attendant use), door configurations (single entry, through-car, 90° adjacent), and load ratings (250–500 kg).

What Regulations And Standards Apply in Dorset?

Platform lifts must meet applicable standards and building rules in Dorset. 

For access compliance in Dorset, Part M sets expectations on minimum clear openings, landing space, control heights, and signage; the Equality Act 2010 places a duty to make reasonable adjustments. 

Equipment in Dorset is typically UKCA‑marked under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations and designed to BS EN 81‑41 (vertical platforms) or BS EN 81‑40 (inclined).

In workplaces, PUWER applies to safe use and maintenance in Dorset. 

Thorough examinations are often carried out at intervals aligned with LOLER principles, particularly when the platform is used at work and carries people in Dorset.

We arrange an appropriate inspection regime in Dorset to satisfy your insurer and H&S policy. 

Fire strategy is also reviewed in Dorset: platform lifts are not evacuation lifts, and we configure alarm interfaces for safe return and isolation per your Fire Risk Assessment.

What Does The Installation Process Involve in Dorset?

We start with a site survey to capture travel height, fixing substrates, landing geometry, utilities, and any planning constraints in Dorset. 

Then we issue a specification and GA drawings in Dorset for sign‑off, covering platform size, door swing, controls, and finishes. 

Once manufactured in Dorset, we coordinate delivery, protect working areas, and install the modular shaft (if specified), drive unit, doors/gates, controls, and power supply.

Commissioning in Dorset includes functional and safety tests, interlock checks, emergency lowering, alarm/phone verification, and integration with fire alarm triggers if required. 

We complete documentation in Dorset, including UKCA/Declaration of Conformity, O&M manuals, and test certificates, and provide handover training for staff or residents. 

For retrofits in Dorset, we plan around occupancy to minimise dust, noise, and downtime, and we can phase works out of hours where needed.

What Building Work Is Required in Dorset?

One of the strengths of platform lifts is the minimal builder’s work in Dorset. 

Many models in Dorset need no pit or a very shallow pit (≈50–120 mm) with a ramp option if excavation isn’t possible. 

The headroom above the top landing is typically ~2,200 mm in Dorset. 

Our team in Dorset or your contractor can complete minor enabling works: forming openings, trimming floors, providing local power spurs, and making good finishes.

For listed buildings or façade changes in Dorset, we can assist with planning/listed building consent and provide method statements that protect the heritage fabric. 

A modular self‑supporting in Dorset shaft avoids heavy structural alterations and speeds up the programme.

How Long Does It Take in Dorset?

From order to commissioning, allow 4–10 weeks in Dorset depending on model, finishes, and approvals. 

On‑site installation in Dorset is usually fast: 1–3 days for step lifts, 2 to 5 days for vertical enclosed platforms, and 2 to 4 days for inclined platforms (route complexity dependent). 

We’ll issue a detailed programme in Dorset that coordinates deliveries, scaffold/MEWP if needed, power-on dates, and commissioning windows to keep stakeholders aligned.

How Much Does A Platform Lift Cost in Dorset?

Budget guidance (supply, install, commission, ex‑VAT) depends on travel, size, and finishes, but these are typical UK ranges:

Step lifts in Dorset (0.5–1.0 m travel) is £7,000–£12,000

Inclined platform lifts in Dorset (straight/curved) is £8,000–£15,000+

Vertical enclosed platform lifts in Dorset (up to ~7 m) is £12,000–£25,000+

Premium cabins, glass structures, or heavy-duty 400–500 kg in Dorset is £20,000 to £40,000+

Electrical spurs in Dorset, minor building works, out-of-hours working, or bespoke finishes can add to the cost. 

We provide itemised fixed quotations in Dorsetand value‑engineer options (e.g., standard RALs, standard platform sizes) to keep within budget.

Running costs in Dorset are low due to the use of single-phase power and efficient drives.

Get in touch

What About Safety Features And Usability in Dorset?

Every installation in Dorset includes interlocked doors/gates, obstruction safety edges, under-platform safety pans, anti-rollback features, emergency lowering, battery backup, and an alarm/auto-dialler where appropriate.

Controls in Dorset are placed within Part M heights and offer raised symbols/braille on request. 

Speed, acceleration, and levelling are tuned for comfort, with soft‑start/stop to reduce jolts in Dorset. 

We can include access control (key switch or proximity) in Dorset for private use areas, and auto‑close doors with safe presence detection on public sites.

Do You Provide Maintenance And Compliance Support in Dorset?

After installation in Dorset, we offer planned preventative maintenance (PPM) tailored to usage, typically 2 visits per year for standard duty sites, with 24/7 breakdown cover and guaranteed response times. 

We can coordinate thorough examinations in Dorset at insurer-agreed intervals, maintain logbooks, and ensure your documentation is audit-ready. 

Our stock of common parts in Dorset for popular models reduces downtime, and we provide first-fix diagnostics to help you get up and running quickly.

What Are the Warranties, Spares, and Lifespan in Dorset?

New platform lifts in Dorset include a 12–24 month warranty covering parts and labour (model dependent).

With routine maintenance, a platform lift typically offers a service life of 10–20 years. 

We specify systems in Dorset with strong spares availability and long‑term manufacturer support to protect your investment. 

Where budgets are tight in Dorset, we can propose refurb or modernisation for existing platforms, new controllers, drives, safety circuits, and aesthetic upgrades, extending life at lower cost.

What Are The Benefits Of Platform Lift Installation in Dorset?

The benefits of platform lift installation in Dorset are improved accessibility, lower build impact, and strong lifecycle value compared with traditional lifts.

• Part M and Equality Act compliance without major structural works in Dorset

• Minimal pit/headroom and self‑supporting shafts for swift retrofit in Dorset

• Lower capital and running costs than conventional passenger lifts in Dorset

• Single‑phase power and efficient drives for simple integration in Dorset

• Custom sizes and finishes to suit heritage or modern interiors in Dorset

• Fast installation with limited disruption to operations in Dorset

What Are The Accessibility And Design Considerations in Dorset?

We size platforms in Dorset to suit the intended users: a common wheelchair platform measures 1100 × 1400 mm, while a 1100 × 1600 mm platform supports a wheelchair and an attendant. 

Clear door openings are targeted at≥900 mm in Dorset, with landing space kept clear for turning. 

We’ll advise on landing contrasts, DDA‑friendly signage, call button heights (850–1100 mm), handrail inclusion, audible/visual indicators, and lighting in Dorset. 

Where a ramp is technically possible in Dorset but impractical due to gradient or space, a platform lift provides a Part M‑compliant alternative that preserves usable floor area.

Are Platform Lifts Suitable For Heavy Use in Dorset?

For moderate use in Dorset (e.g., schools, clinics, small offices), a platform lift is an ideal solution. 

For high traffic in Dorset (busy retail, transport hubs, high‑rise residential), we’ll assess cycle rates and may recommend a full passenger lift to BS EN 81‑20/50 instead. 

Where a platform lift in Dorset is still preferred, we specify higher duty cycles, larger motors, and robust doors to accommodate the increased demand.

Why Choose Lift Services in Dorset?

At Lift Services in Dorset, we combine regulatory expertise, experienced engineers, and a design‑led approach that fits your building, budget, and programme. 

We work brand-agnostically in Dorset, selecting the right platform lift technology, hydraulic, screw-drive, or MRL traction, backed by nationwide support, rapid response maintenance, and clear documentation. 

From feasibility to handover in Dorset, you get a single accountable partner focused on safety, compliance, and user experience.

Get A Free Platform Lift Survey And Quote in Dorset

Tell us your travel height, landings, and preferred finishes in Dorset, and we’ll provide a no‑obligation design proposal, drawings, and a fixed price. 

Contact Lift Services today in Dorset to book your site survey and get your project moving.

Get in touch