Case Studies - Aces for Abbeydale
Abbeydale Tennis Club, Sheffield has undergone a £1.5million refurbishment. New facilities include four indoor and four outdoor tennis courts, a purpose-built Kids Zone, Tarmac-covered car park and a new luxury members’ clubhouse. In line with the DDA, Abbeydale Tennis Club has ensured that the new facilities are compliant with the legislation.
Ramps were installed for ease of access to the outdoor courts, and a separate toilet and show facility were built especially for disabled members. Abbeydale Tennis Club also wanted a lift that was compliant with Part M and the DDA that would provide access to the club for staff and members travelling between the upper and lower level indoor tennis courts.
To install a platform lift that would meet with this requirement, Abbeydale Tennis Club’s trusted contractor, XDR Consultancy approached the Platform Lift Company.
The Platform Lift Company specified an A Type Platform Lift, which does not affect the structure or supports of a building. A small location fixing is attached to the walls and floors, making this lift the ideal solution for any building.
The A Type Lift comes complete with its own shaft enclosure with a high quality finish both inside and out, which blends into the surroundings of this and most other buildings.
As members of the public use the club on a regular basis, consideration had to be given towards the finishes of the lift. The flooring is slip resistant and other standard safety items include full contact perimeter safety edges, continuous pressure buttons and battery backup in case of power failure – which guarantees safety for all passengers using the lift.
After the installation, Abbeydale Tennis Club asked for key switches to be fitted at each landing area in order to prevent unauthorised use of the lift. This helps to ensure members and staff use it correctly, thus increasing the lift’s longevity.
The platform lift was installed by providing a 50mm recess in the floor; thus creating a level access for users at the ground level. Glazed doors are featured on the lift’s entrance levels in order to complement the modern interior of the club. The lift now allows members and staff to access all areas of the club.
John Gledden, Managing Director of Abbeydale Tennis Club comments: “We are now accessible to all, which is great, especially as we have seen a rise in disabled people wanting to take part in the sport. It now gives everyone an opportunity to use our wonderful facilities – which I hope everyone will do. The lift can be used by all members, including the staff, which is ideal when we are moving heavy equipment about. Overall, I am delighted with the result.”
For more information visit: www.platformliftco.co.uk
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