Access BDD Survey School
Tools required to measure for a
Flow2 stairlift
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1200mm spirit level
230mm spirit level
300mm steel rule
5 metre tape measure
Goneometer Angle Finder
Access BDD Freehand
Drawing Pad with pen
• Scientific Calculator
• Digital Camera
How do we start
• First of all we require
a plan view sketch
• Details to include
minimum stair widths
• Start position
• End position
• Extra parking
positions
• Top and bottom
landing areas
Completing information on sheet 1
of the Flow2 survey form
• The front sheet consists of a
series of boxes with either / or
style options
• Starting from the bottom of
the stairs
• Which side of the stairs is the
rail situated
• Colour choices for rail and
seat
• Customer data
• The type of chair you require
• Some other relevant
information and any special
requirements
Completing information on sheet 2
of the Flow2 survey form
A Division of ThyssenKrupp Access Ltd
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The second sheet has 2 different
tables to complete
The first table is the individual
risers and treads
The second table is a verification
of those measurements
All sections need to be filled in
and not bypassed
Our overall tolerance in height
cannot exceed 20mm
Nose to nose measurements are
very important
With this dimension our tolerance
cannot exceed 20mm
We can accept this form via e-mail
*TIP* on every flight there is
always one more riser than there
are treads
Access Business Development Division
Flow2 Order Form
Reference
Table 1 - Individual Measurements
Riser No:
Angle (top view) Tread
Riser
Cont' Riser No: Angle (top view)
1
24
2
25
3
26
4
27
5
28
6
29
7
30
8
31
9
32
10
33
11
34
12
35
13
36
14
37
15
38
16
39
17
40
18
41
19
42
20
43
21
44
22
45
23
Tread
Riser
46
Total Riser Height Calculated*
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Total Riser Height Measured*
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Table 2 - Verification of Measurements
Calculated from Table 1
Wall 1
1)
Horizontal length (mm)
2)
Vertical height (mm)
3)
Nose to Nose (mm)
4)
Horizontal length (mm)
5)
Vertical height (mm)
6)
Nose to Nose (mm)
7)
Corner Angles (degrees)
8)
Minimum Staircase width (mm)
9)
Stringer width (mm)
Wall 2
Wall 3
Measured on the Staircase
10) Stringer height (mm)
Have you indicated the following on the drawing:
11) Extra charge point on tread no:
12) Position of Extra Stop
13) Bulkheads - tread no:
14) Any Other Obsructions
Wall 4
To enable us to fill in the form we require
accurate individual measurements
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We measure each riser
individually
Using a small level and steel rule
Ensuring that we keep them level
and true together
We also measure each tread
individually
From the front edge of the riser
using the small level and steel rule
Again, we ensure the level is
plumb and the steel rule is parallel
to the stringer
Do not measure into the back of
the tread as shown in the photo as
this will result in a survey error
and your lift will not fit
We also measure larger sections to provide
accurate cumulative measurements
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We require the height and length of
each straight flight
We can achieve this by measuring the
risers cumulatively to give us the
overall height of a flight of steps
Using the large spirit level and tape
measure we measure in small groups
of 4/5 risers
We then add these measurements
together to give us the overall height
We also measure the treads
cumulatively to give the overall length
of a flight of steps
Once again, we measure in small
groups of say 4/5 treads
From the front edge of the riser using
the large spirit level and tape measure
We then measure to the nosing of a
riser that is within an acceptable range
Tips when measuring risers and
treads
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By using post-it notes on the wall,
you can write down the
measurements as you go along
You can also use them as a
double check at the end of the
survey
When you have to use small
groups to measure a large flight,
put a note on the tread you are
measuring from (when you are
distracted it can become
confusing)
You then add up all horizontal
measurements to give you the
overall length
You then add up all vertical
measurements to give you the
overall height
Nose to Nose
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We need the tape placing on the
bottom nose of a straight flight and
we measure to the top nose of
that same flight
By providing this dimension we
are once again verifying our
measurements on the stairs
We can also calculate this
dimension on site to ensure that
our measurements are correct
The tolerance allowed is 20mm
If we come away from site without
calculating this simple formulae, it
may result in a return visit to site
Do not measure to the floor as this
will be incorrect
Measuring Corner Angles
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We can measure a corner angle a
couple of ways
Firstly we can use an angle finder
called “Goneometer” to provide
the angle of corners and spiral
steps
Or alternatively, we can also
measure out from the corner to
1000mm on both walls (using
post-it notes)
We then measure diagonally from
one post-it note to the other and
this tells the drawing office what
the angle of that corner is
Please see the example attached
showing different dimensions
creating different angles
How do we measure quarter landings or half
landings
• 1) On a quarter landing,
measure from the last riser of
the previous flight to the back
wall using the small level
• 2) You then measure from the
corner to the first riser of the
next flight
• For a half landing repeat *1,
then measure from corner to
corner, then repeat *2
• *TIP* Always during a survey
remain consistent with the
measurements, from newel
post to stringer and then
provide details of the thickness
and depth of the stringer
Measuring spiral steps
• We require the width
of every spiral step
• We also require the
angle of every spiral
step by using the
goneometer
• If the rail is travelling
internally, then details
of the spirals going
into the newel post
need to be provided
Details we need for Flow2 internal
configurations
• It is very important that we
know the exact location of a
newel post in relation to a riser
• Good detailed information is
essential
• When surveying the stairs,
imagine the chair and rail in
the travelling direction
• The newel posts become the
interference points
• The more measurements
provided, the more accurate
we can make the rail
Parking bend options
• Depending on the
configuration, we can bend the
rail almost to any angle
specified
• It does not always have to be a
perfect 90 or 180 degree
parking option
• Please ensure that you provide
measurements after the last
riser, to the point where the rail
will turn direction
• Also give the distance to walls
or obstructions to show how
much clearance is available
Bulkhead information
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Please indicate bulkheads on the
drawing or a separate piece of
paper
We require the height from the
tread
We also require the position of the
bulkhead in relation to the riser
You can achieve this by using the
large level
Plumb down the face of the
bulkhead to the nearest riser
You then measure from the riser
to the plumb line mark
This gives us a side elevation of
the bulkhead
We also have detailed bulkhead
information in the Flow2 Dealer
Manual
Once the survey is submitted we will provide
a drawing for approval
• All of the photographs that
you have looked at so far are
related to this drawing
• As a result of this survey we
have produced this drawing
• We then provide a plan view
• A side elevation with the
number of rail sections
• We also provide the overall
height to check against the
survey
• We also indicate the length of
the rail on the drawing
Flow2 survey summary
• The Flow2 Stair lift can do many complicated
staircases.
• There are so many configurations that we
cannot detail all of them in a presentation.
• However, by using the basic techniques shown,
you will be able to provide a good survey for
your Flow2.
• We provide on site training for surveying.
• If you require any assistance please do not
hesitate to contact the office.