Choosing the Right Platform Lift for Accessibility Compliance in 2025
Accessibility isn’t a luxury — it’s a legal and moral necessity.
Whether you manage an office, a care home, a school, or a public building, ensuring that everyone can move freely and safely is part of your responsibility as an owner or manager.
As we move into 2025, building regulations and equality standards continue to emphasise the importance of accessibility. And one of the best ways to achieve that is with a platform lift.
But how do you know which type is right for your space? That’s where ACE Elevators Northern comes in.
Why Platform Lifts Are So Important
A platform lift is a simple yet powerful solution for overcoming short vertical barriers — like a few steps at an entrance, a split-level floor, or a stage area.
Unlike full passenger lifts, platform lifts are compact, energy-efficient, and cost-effective, making them ideal for retrofitting into existing buildings where space or budget is limited.
They’re also key to meeting the Equality Act 2010, which requires reasonable adjustments to ensure accessibility for everyone — including wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
So, if your building doesn’t yet have full step-free access, now’s the time to change that.
Understanding the Different Types of Platform Lifts
Not all platform lifts are created equal. The right choice depends on your building’s layout, usage, and aesthetic. Let’s break it down in plain English.
Vertical Platform Lifts
These operate much like a small passenger lift, travelling vertically between floors — usually up to 12 metres.
They’re perfect for multi-storey buildings or mezzanine areas and can be installed indoors or outdoors.
Inclined Platform Lifts
If your building has a staircase but limited room for a vertical shaft, an inclined lift travels along the line of the stairs.
They’re especially popular in schools, listed buildings, or heritage sites where major structural work isn’t possible.
Step or Low-Rise Lifts
These compact units handle small height differences — up to around a metre — and are ideal for shops, entrances, or public counters where a ramp isn’t suitable.
At ACE Elevators Northern, we install and maintain all of these types across Yorkshire and the North of England, tailoring each system to the site and the people using it.
Key Things to Consider Before Installation
When choosing your platform lift, there are a few important factors to think about:
Space and layout – Do you have enough room for a vertical lift, or would an inclined option fit better?
Users – Will it be used mainly by wheelchair users, or for general mobility access?
Aesthetics – Modern lifts can blend seamlessly into your décor with glass panels or custom finishes.
Safety and compliance – Make sure your lift meets Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and BS EN 81-41 standards.
Maintenance and service – Regular checks keep your lift safe, smooth, and compliant long term.
An experienced installer (like ACE) can help you evaluate all of this before making a decision — so you end up with a lift that’s compliant, reliable, and perfectly suited to your space.
Future-Proofing Your Building for 2025 and Beyond
Accessibility standards aren’t standing still. Local councils and regulatory bodies are putting more emphasis than ever on inclusive building design, particularly in public spaces, educational environments, and housing developments.
By investing in a platform lift now, you’re not only ensuring compliance — you’re future-proofing your building and making it welcoming to everyone. Plus, with modern energy-efficient drive systems and smart controls, today’s lifts are quieter, cheaper to run, and easier to maintain than ever before.
How ACE Elevators Northern Can Help
We’ve been installing and maintaining platform lifts and mobility access solutions across Yorkshire and Northern England for over 30 years.
Our friendly, qualified engineers handle everything — from initial survey and design, to installation, maintenance, and ongoing support.
We work with all types of buildings, including:
- Care homes and schools
- Commercial and office spaces
- Residential properties
- Heritage and listed buildings
And because every lift is different, we’ll always provide a bespoke solution that fits your budget, layout, and compliance needs.
Ready to Improve Accessibility? Let’s Get Started
If you’re unsure which platform lift is right for your building, we’re here to help.
Our team at ACE Elevators Northern can assess your site, explain your options, and recommend the most practical, compliant solution.
Call 01535 600 688
or
Request a Free Quote
Let’s make your building accessible, compliant, and welcoming to everyone in 2025 — and for many years to come.

















