Lift systems have become essential elements for providing access to multi-floor buildings. In Italy there are a number laws and standards that cover various different sectors.
The Presidential Decree DPR 503 of 1996 is in force public buildings, whereas private buildings are covered by law N. 13 of 1989, which was enforced by the subsequent Ministerial Decree DM 236 also of 1989.
DM 236/1989, point 5.3.3.2 establishes the characteristics necessary for lift systems depending on the type of building with a certain degree of precision, distinguishing between new residential buildings, new non-residential buildings, and pre-existing buildings that require renovation.
This law is still in force today, but unfortunately it does not coincide exactly with the subsequent harmonised European Standard UNI EN 81-70, which establishes the characteristics of lift systems that must be accessible to everyone. However, in practice in Italy it is possible to state that every lift installed in a new building should be accessible to everyone, thus, in all such cases, the two standards overlap.
The only exception to this is the case of renovated pre-existing buildings where it is not always possible to achieve the dimensions required by the Standard UNI EN 81-70. In such cases it is necessary to adopt the measurements indicated in Table 12 of the Ministerial Decree DM 236/1989 (cabin with a minimum width of 80 cm, minimum depth of 120 cm, and an automatic sliding door with an aperture at least 75 cm – carrying capacity 350 kg – 4 persons).
The Italian legal minimum dimensions for a standard accessible cabin in a new residential building are: minimum width of 95 cm and minimum depth of 130 cm, while the Standard UNI EN 81-70 stipulates a minimum width of 100 cm, and a minimum depth of 125 cm; the carrying capacity in the former case is 480 kg, whereas in the latter it is 450 kg, 6 persons; the automatic sliding door must have an opening of at least 80 cm in either case.
Furthermore, UNI EN 81-70 defines a series of important additional features, this includes ensuring that lifts stop precisely and that they are level with the floor in order to avoid « steps » that would impede wheelchairs, an optical barrier at the entrance to prevent the automatic doors from closing on persons or wheelchairs, a synthetic voice device for visually impaired passengers, and various other devices that help to promote accessibility.
In fact, this term should not be taken to mean simply making it possible for people with reduced mobility to enter the cabin, but also improving access for people with other disabilities (visual, auditory, vocal and even allergic).
Koppel A.W. has considerable experience in this field and can offer a full range of advice, in particular on obtaining authorisation from the local authorities to install adequately-sized lift systems in existing buildings, in order to improve accessibility.
It is worth bearing in mind that the Ministerial Decree DM 23/7/2009 has determined that, over the next few years, all lifts installed before 1999 must be modified in order to improve accessibility, in particular, ensuring increased floor stopping precision and better levelling, and installing adequate optical barriers on systems fitted with automatic sliding doors. In additional, there is a community document - TS 81-82 – that provides the designer with guidelines on how best to adapt and existing lift in order to improve accessibility, if requested by the owner.