Commercial Platform Lift

What Is a Commercial Platform Lift?

A commercial platform lift is a powered lifting device designed to carry people — including wheelchair users, people with limited mobility, and ambulant users — between levels of a commercial or public building. Commercial platform lifts operate at lower speeds than conventional passenger lifts, require no machine room or pit in most cases, and can be installed with significantly less structural work — making them a practical access solution for a wide range of commercial building types.

Commercial platform lifts are used in:

• Offices and business premises

• Retail shops, showrooms, and shopping centres

• Restaurants, bars, cafes, and hospitality venues

• Schools, colleges, and universities

• Libraries, museums, and public buildings

• Places of worship

• Healthcare facilities, GP surgeries, and care homes

• Sports and leisure centres

• Historic and listed buildings where full passenger lift installation is restricted by planning constraints

Types of Commercial Platform Lift

Commercial Vertical Platform Step Lift

A commercial vertical platform step lift is a low-rise lifting platform designed to overcome one to three steps or a modest level change at a building entrance, threshold, or internal level change. It rises vertically between 300mm and 2,000mm alongside existing steps, leaving them intact and accessible.

Commercial step lifts are the most commonly installed type of commercial platform lift in the UK — widely used to provide step-free access at building entrances and meet the reasonable adjustment duty under the Equality Act 2010.

Key features:

• Platform sizes from 900mm x 1,400mm to meet Approved Document M

• Minimum clear door opening of 800mm

• Controls between 800mm and 1,200mm — accessible from a seated wheelchair position

• Anti-slip platform surface as standard

• Wall-mounted and stanchion-mounted configurations available

• Indoor and outdoor weatherproof models available

• Certified to BS EN 81-41 for commercial public use

• Starting from approximately £8,000 to £12,000 installed

Commercial Full-Rise Vertical Platform Lift

A commercial full-rise vertical platform lift provides step-free access between complete floors, travelling through an opening in the floor structure. Available in open, semi-enclosed, and fully enclosed cabin configurations — enclosed models provide automatic doors and a finished interior closer to a conventional passenger lift.

Key features:

• Minimum platform size of 900mm x 1,400mm under Approved Document M

• Minimum clear door opening of 800mm

• Maximum rated speed of 0.15 metres per second under BS EN 81-41

• Maximum travel of 3,000mm — suitable for most two-floor commercial buildings

• No machine room required for most modern designs

• Certified to BS EN 81-41

• Starting from approximately £15,000 to £35,000 installed

Commercial Inclined Platform Stairlift

A commercial inclined platform stairlift travels along a rail fixed to an existing staircase, carrying a wheelchair user and their chair between floors without any transfer required. It is the appropriate solution where a vertical lift is not feasible — in buildings where the floor plan cannot accommodate a vertical shaft, or in listed buildings where structural alterations are restricted.

Key features:

• Available for straight and curved commercial staircases

• Platform sizes from 700mm x 1,000mm to 900mm x 1,400mm or larger

• Folding platform leaves staircase accessible to ambulant users when not in use

• Higher load capacities than residential models — typically 300kg to 400kg

• Certified to BS EN 81-40

• Starting from approximately £10,000 for a straight commercial staircase

Standards and Compliance

BS EN 81-41 and BS EN 81-40

All commercial platform lifts used by people with impaired mobility must comply with the relevant standard:

• BS EN 81-41 — vertical platform lifts. Applies to commercial step lifts and full-rise platform lifts

• BS EN 81-40 — stairlifts and inclined lifting platforms. Applies to commercial inclined platform stairlifts

Key requirements include minimum platform dimensions, maximum operating speeds, safety device specifications, and control positioning. All compliant products carry a CE or UKCA mark and a Declaration of Conformity. Always request certification before specifying a commercial platform lift.

Approved Document M

Part M of the Building Regulations and Approved Document M set out technical requirements for accessible design in commercial buildings. For commercial platform lifts this means:

• Minimum platform size of 900mm x 1,400mm for wheelchair access

• Minimum clear door opening of 800mm

• Controls positioned between 800mm and 1,200mm from the platform floor

• Adequate manoeuvring space at both landings

Building Regulations approval is required for installations involving structural alterations. Your installation company should manage this on your behalf.

The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 places a legal duty on service providers and building owners to make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people are not disadvantaged. The duty is anticipatory — you are expected to act proactively, not only when a disabled person encounters a barrier.

Key points for building owners:

• The duty applies to all service providers regardless of size — small businesses are not exempt

• A commercial platform lift is widely accepted as a practical and proportionate reasonable adjustment for stepped access

• Listed buildings are not exempt — reasonable adjustments must be explored within planning constraints

• Failure to make reasonable adjustments exposes building owners to legal claims and reputational damage

LOLER

Commercial platform lifts are subject to LOLER 1998 and require:

• A thorough examination by a competent person at least every six months

• Written reports of each examination retained on site

• Proper installation and ongoing maintenance

Failure to comply with LOLER is a criminal offence.

Commercial Platform Lift Costs in the UK

Indicative starting prices for commercial platform lift installations in the UK in 2026:

Commercial vertical platform step lifts:

• Indoor installation, standard specification — from £8,000 to £12,000 installed

• Outdoor weatherproof installation — from £10,000 to £15,000 installed

Commercial full-rise vertical platform lifts:

• Semi-enclosed, two floors — from £15,000 to £22,000 installed

• Fully enclosed cabin lift, two floors — from £20,000 to £35,000 installed

• Bespoke or prestige specification — from £35,000 or above

Commercial inclined platform stairlifts:

• Straight staircase — from £10,000 to £16,000 installed

• Curved staircase, bespoke rail — from £15,000 to £25,000 or above

Additional costs that may apply:

• Structural works for full-rise floor openings

• Building Regulations fees

• Electrical supply works — commercial lifts may require a three-phase supply

• Groundwork for outdoor installations

• Decoration and making good following installation

Standard rate VAT at 20% applies to all commercial platform lift installations.

Installation: What to Expect

Commercial platform lift installation timescales vary by lift type:

• Commercial step lift — typically one to two days for a straightforward installation

• Commercial full-rise platform lift — two to three days for the lift unit plus structural preparation

• Commercial inclined platform stairlift, straight rail — one to two days

• Commercial inclined platform stairlift, curved bespoke rail — one to two days installation plus lead time for bespoke rail manufacture

All commercial platform lift installations should begin with a physical site survey. This allows the installer to assess the building, confirm the appropriate product, take measurements, and provide a fully itemised written quotation.

Planning Permission

In most cases planning permission is not required for an internal installation. Exceptions:

• External commercial installations may require planning permission depending on visual impact

• Listed buildings require listed building consent before structural or external alteration

• Conservation areas may require planning permission for external alterations

Choosing a Commercial Platform Lift Installer

When evaluating commercial platform lift installation companies, look for:

• A physical site survey before any quotation is confirmed

• A fully itemised written quotation covering all works including structural, electrical, and Building Regulations costs

• Confirmation of BS EN 81-41 or BS EN 81-40 certification — request the Declaration of Conformity

• Experience with commercial installations in comparable building types

• Evidence of previous installations — case studies or references

• Building Regulations management on your behalf

• A minimum 24-month warranty on parts and labour

• LOLER examination arrangements post-installation

• An ongoing maintenance contract

Getting at least two or three quotes is always recommended.

Commercial Platform Lift Maintenance

All commercial platform lifts require regular maintenance to remain safe and compliant:

• Six-monthly LOLER thorough examination — legal requirement, must be by a competent person, written reports retained on site

• Annual or bi-annual full service covering drive mechanism, safety devices, control system, landing doors, battery backup, and platform surface

• Monthly user checks recorded in a lift logbook by a responsible person

A maintenance contract is strongly recommended for all commercial platform lift installations.

Get Free Independent Advice

Platform Lift UK is a free, independent matching service connecting businesses and building owners across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland with vetted commercial platform lift installation companies. We cover all commercial platform lift types — vertical step lifts, full-rise platform lifts, and inclined platform stairlifts — for all commercial and public building types.

• Tell us about your building, the access problem, and your compliance requirements

• We match you with vetted commercial platform lift specialists covering your area

• You receive free no-obligation site surveys and fully itemised written quotations

• No pressure, no obligation, no cost