If you’re looking for a stair lift for narrow steep stairs, here’s an interesting installation we did on a very narrow staircase near Huddersfield, Yorkshire. In this scenario, we didn’t even know if the Flow X stairlift would fit! That means it was a very narrow staircase. The Flow X is the “go-to” stairlift for very narrow and difficult staircases. See our section on stairlifts for narrow stairs here for more information.
But this one pushed the boundaries of even what the Flow X is capable of – or so we thought!
Stair Lift For Narrow Steep Stairs – The Crux!
The crux of whether this was viable was the turn at the top corner. This was a very narrow, steep set of stairs too. Getting the foot rest high enough so it could rotate at the top was the crux of the matter. Plus, the ceiling of the staircase limited the height it could travel to.
For such an awkward setup we had to refer to a photo survey of the staircase. To get any measurements wrong, order the stairlift (and it not fit) would be a massive (and costly) problem! So we had to be certain this was a viable option.
We mapped out where the stairlift would be positioned to help determine whether it was possible. As you can see in this picture, there was also a radiator on the landing, which had to be considered.
Stair Lift For Narrow Steep Stairs – Very Narrow Stairlift – Photo Survey
Thyssen/Access BDD, the manufacturers of the Flow X stairlift, use a camera kit, to get the measurements needed to determine whether a stairlift is possible. The photo survey takes pictures from the staircase and takes exact measurements. Most crucial are the measurements around corners and bends and the angle of the stairs.
A 3 dimensional CAD drawing (Computer Aided Design) is then taken and the viability of the stairlift is determined from this.
Despite the steepness and narrow dimensions of the stairs, a stairlift was a viable option here. Also of note was the need to take measurements of the client in a seated position. This determined the minimum distance from the back of the chair to the knee/toe – whichever was the greatest.
Stairlift Installation On Narrow Steep Stairs
As you can see, we did manage to install a stairlift on this one! Just look at the steep rail which is almost vertical! This had to be done in order to lift the chair high enough to rotate at the only feasible place, at the corner turn at the top.
Here’s a video of our engineer Scott testing out the stairlift. As you can see, the rail is incredibly steep, which adds to the load. We needed to be aware of the speed of the lift too during the steeper part of the rail, since it adds to the weight burden on the stairlift motor.
Multiple Obstacles, Narrow and Steep Stairs
In this case study, we saw multiple obstacles to the successful installation of the stairlift. There are multiple doors at the top of the stairs. There’s a radiator where we wanted the stairlift to park at the top. The stairs were very narrow and steep. The weight limit of the lift was compounded by the steepness of the rail, too.
The bulkhead of the stairs (ceiling) also placed a limitation on the ride position, and we had to avoid getting too close. All of these issues needed to be accounted for to make certain the lift could be installed before we went ahead with the manufacturing of the rail.
Summary
This was one of our narrowest fittings to date and it was definitely touch-and-go whether this would would be viable. We were glad (and so was the client) that we were able to install this one and the user could continue to have full use of their home.
In a very difficult fitting, such as this one, we rely on the photo survey and computer aided design. The photo survey requires a camera “kit” which is provided by the manufacturers of this stairlift. See our Flow X stairlift page for more information on this versatile stairlift.
If you have a narrow or awkward staircase, and are in need of a stairlift to continue using your home, give us a call. We offer free survey’s UK wide and are always happy to come out and give you an assessment.
Call UK Stairlifts on 0800 046 3438 or visit our contact page here.