• The Americans with Disabilities Act sets standards for wheelchair lifts.Southern Stock/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991 was passed as law to help protect those who are disabled from discrimination. ADA governs what must be done by businesses, government bodies and other organizations to make their premises accessible to the handicapped. One specific area that is regulated is wheelchair lifts, which must meet ADA standards for design, safety and operation.
  
  

Lift Design

• ADA specifies that wheelchair lifts must have a minimum clearance space of 30 inches by 40 inches. The lifts should offer unassisted access and operation to users. The surface of a lift may be carpeted; if so, the carpet should be no thicker than one-half inch. All carpet edges should be secured firmly to the lift's surface to prevent slipping or tripping. One side shall be fully unobstructed to allow movement of the wheelchair on and off the lift.
  
  

Controls and Communications

• ADA mandates where the controls can be places on a wheelchair lift. If the controls are at the front of the lift, they should be no less than 15 and no more than 48 inches above the floor; if they are to the side of the wheelchair on the lift, the controls shall be a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 54 inches above the floor. Controls should require only one hand for operation and no more than five foot-pounds of force.
  
  

Other Standards

• For wheelchair lifts to conform with ADA standards, they must meet several mechanical requirements as well. There should be sensors to stop movement of the lift if its path is obstructed; a battery backup system in the event of power failure; manual doors so that the occupant can operate the lift in the event of mechanical failure; and an emergency stop switch.
  
  

Testing

• ADA-approved wheelchair lifts must meet a series of safety tests. Each lift is tested at its factory of manufacture to see if it can hold five times its rated load; they also are checked to see if they will perform under temperature extremes---from minus 50 degrees, to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.