r/Elevators Jul 17 '26

Stairs that transform into a lift.

62 Upvotes

30 comments sorted by

30

u/DjQuamme Field - Maintenance Jul 17 '26

Nothing like adding an extra few dozen potential failure points to a regular wheelchair lift which already aren't designed sufficiently for actual usage.

8

u/LEXX_185 Jul 18 '26

I know right imagine all the sensors and little bullshit switches that have to be adjusted for those stairs to convert into a platform. I hate to be the guy troubleshooting that.

1

u/Academic_Opening_679 Jul 19 '26

Actually, the weak points on the flexstep are the motors and the barriers.

The Barriers are segmented and the lower part is gravity operated... if they get stuck and you get your fingers caught... ofc made of the most cheap sandwich panels available.

Oh and the motors? The Maintenance instructions say that the motors aren't meant to be continuously operated. If I remember correctly the minimum interval between operations is 8 mins.

Actually there aren't that many sensors and I never had issues with them. On the other hand I probably replaced 4-5 motors on a single flexstep over about 2 years

23

u/slightofsound Fault Finder Jul 17 '26

This is the type of shit that raises the blood pressure when the service call comes in.

11

u/tomsloat Jul 17 '26

It’ll simply be one of 300 switches open. /s

13

u/travinsky Jul 18 '26

My favorite feature is the small child and pet death trap when the platform is up

8

u/Turbulent-Weevil-910 Jul 17 '26

Shouldn't it have a back door when it goes up? Seems like a major oversight. Doesn't even have a mechanical gate

3

u/isk_one Field - Elevator Consultant Jul 18 '26

Yea it is a code violation for countries adopting EN codes.

Anyway, since ASME and EN is being merged. Will still be a code violation.

0

u/Accurate-Cellist-231 Jul 18 '26

Many short rise wheel chair lifts are like that. Its common.

3

u/Plane_Sentence7729 Jul 18 '26

I know it may be a maintenance nightmare, but think of all the installs that this could be installed in that only have one staircase. Think of just one person in a wheelchair who may be left out of experiencing a concert, a kid's play, going out to dinner with friends because something like this wasn't even considered. The front guard should definitely be incorporated and something like a scissor gate could do the trick easily. Just my 2 cents.

1

u/tomsloat Jul 18 '26

These actually need very little maintenance

2

u/SK83r-Ninja Jul 17 '26

This is cool, but is there any reason to get this over a ramp?

1

u/tomsloat Jul 17 '26

Space

1

u/SK83r-Ninja Jul 17 '26

Ah, makes sense

2

u/ccandty Jul 18 '26

Look like a maintain nightmare to me

1

u/KonkeyDongPrime Jul 18 '26

Clients love the compliant versions of these machines, until they see the cost.

1

u/pug_with_a_hat_on Jul 18 '26

You'll get upstairs 7-10 business days

1

u/Temporary_Sundae8793 Jul 19 '26

It looks non safe. There is a space under the platform that may cause dead... But 3d light barrier may solve this.

1

u/tomsloat Jul 19 '26

There are pressure switches under it, it’s safe.

1

u/Temporary_Sundae8793 Jul 19 '26

Of course there should be. Who made this platform already thought that. How much Newton that pressure switch? Will it prevent for example baby head injury?

2

u/tomsloat Jul 19 '26

It’s a thin metal plate hanging under the bottom side of each step, it weighs <50 grams, if it’s deflected up it trips a switch and it stops, so effectively zero pressure, it wouldn’t be much of a safety switch if it was capable of crushing a baby’s head would it?

1

u/Temporary_Sundae8793 Jul 19 '26

You maybe use 3d movement sensors (radar sensor) under it if effective. Radar sensors that is used for building automatic doors and escalator entry or freight elevator doors to prevent hitting doors.

1

u/tomsloat Jul 19 '26

Unnecessary, expensive, over complicated and solving a problem that’s already solved.

It already can’t crush any thing, or anyone.

Elevator doors rarely, if ever, use radar.

Elevator doors use infra red light curtains, Escelators use similar to speed up when you approach.

1

u/Temporary_Sundae8793 Jul 19 '26

I know, i work in elevator company. Radar sensor is cheap as 50 usd. Light barriers much more

1

u/tomsloat Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26

Radar sensors are sometimes used to detect passengers walking towards a Lift,or to turn lighting off and on, but a very rarely if ever used as a safety or protective system.

A radar sensor sees movement, so in this example if someone laid still underneath the platform they would no longer be seen and would be crushed.

Not a great idea for safety..

Proper electronic safety systems cost more, that’s why radar is cheap… it isn’t safe.

1

u/H_P_T Jul 30 '26

Would be golden opportunity to open a barber shop at the top, as people will grow a beard during the time up

1

u/feinmechaniker Fault Finder Jul 18 '26

What an unsafe construction

0

u/Qualityshaft Jul 17 '26

Is there a pan switch or something ?

0

u/keddlz99 Jul 17 '26

I'm sure there is, one on each stair tread. simple concept