Why Pool Lifts Are A Must-Have For Hotels To Improve Accessibility

Nothing beats a relaxing dip in the pool on a sunny day. However, this can be challenging for people with mobility challenges, seniors, or people with disabilities, who face the risk of falling and drowning. Pool lifts are valuable in safely transferring people from the pool deck to the water. They exist to make swimming pools more accessible and enhance the independence of people struggling with mobility. In this article, we discuss why this mobility equipment is important for hotels.

Enhanced Safety During Pool Entry and Exit

Ensuring safety around swimming pools is crucial, especially for people facing mobility challenges. Hotels with a pool lift offer a secure transfer experience to reduce injuries and accidents. Pool lifts have non-slip surfaces, safety harnesses, and sturdy frames to minimize the likelihood of body strain or falls during the transition between the poolside and water. Knowing they can enter and exit a hotel pool safely despite their mobility condition encourages them to enjoy recreational pool activities.

Increased Independence

Lifts restore freedom to adults with mobility disabilities. They enable them to make safe transfers from wheelchairs to the pool, granting them autonomy without extra assistance from caregivers. Individuals can enter and exit the pool as they wish and enjoy the water on their own terms, giving them a sense of independence and control.

Improved Physical and Mental Well-being

Aquatic therapy can be an effective form of exercise and rehabilitation for people facing mobility challenges. It can also be advantageous to individuals with neurological conditions like cerebral palsy and stroke since the water provides a conducive and safe environment for exercise. Water buoyancy reduces the weight-bearing forces around joints, improving a person’s motion range. This, in return, improves blood circulation, decreases swelling, and reduces pain. Plus, taking a dip in a heated pool relaxes your muscles and improves flexibility, improving the body’s healing ability.

Inclusion and Equal Access for Everyone to Pool Activities

A pool lift is a symbol of inclusivity in hotels. Inclusivity is a core pillar of our society, and it involves creating environments that can accommodate people of all abilities. A lift breaks down physical barriers that could exclude people with mobility issues from accessing the pool. Lifts enable physically challenged individuals to participate in pool recreational activities with their loved ones and peers. Hotels that embrace inclusivity foster social integration and give people with disabilities a sense of belonging.

Compliance with ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations promote equal recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. Public pools and hotels with pool lifts comply with ADA requirements, assuring individuals they meet their accessibility needs. Large pools require two entry points, one sloped or with a pool lift, while smaller pools only need one accessible entry point with a lift.

How To Determine the Suitable Pool Lift for Your Location

The main parts of a pool lift are the platform or seat, the lifting mechanism, and a sturdy frame. What mostly differs among the various lift types is the lifting mechanism, which can be battery, hydraulic, or manually operated. The lift you settle on will also depend on the user and your location. Let’s explore the various options that you can choose from:

Electronic Lift

The electronic or battery-powered lift consists of batteries that power an actuator that initiates the lifting operation. This lift has high flexibility and lifting capacity that enables it to work effectively in any swimming pool. It comes in three styles, namely:

• Fixed or permanent lifts: These machines are suited for permanent installations in commercial and residential pool settings. They are anchored securely to the pool deck to offer a comfortable and reliable accessibility solution.
• Portable lifts: Choose a portable lift if you’re looking for convenience and versatility. It can be easily moved and is, therefore, ideal for hotel owners with multiple pools. Portable lifts can be quickly assembled, are lightweight for easy transportation, and can be adjusted for any pool type. These features make them ideal for temporary installations.
• Semi-permanent lifts: Semi-permanent lifts provide a good balance for both sides. They offer stability and portability for facilities that require relocation from time to time. Resorts that host poolside events may opt for this model as it can be removed during the event day and reinstalled later. It has a strong anchoring system that can be quickly disassembled.

Hydro-powered Lift

Hydro-powered or water-powered lifts are connected to a water supply through a hose pipe. They contain a valve that regulates water entry and drainage in the cylinder. It operates by water filling a cylinder that is then sealed to create pressure and raise the lift. Once the cylinder is empty, pressure reduces, lowering the lift.

Hydro-powered lifts require permanent installation on compatible pools and adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for accessible design.

Manual Lift

A manual lift is powered by a hand crank or a hydraulic cylinder that turns the gear. It has a sling that transfers the person as the attendant manually rotates the machine. This lift is permanently installed at the pool deck through an anchor. Unlike water-powered and electronic lifts that are easy to operate, manual lifts are ideal for residential areas since the user requires assistance from another person to operate them.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pool Lift

Consider the following aspects when deciding on the ideal pool lift that will fit your pool structure and users’ needs:

• Support Features: The pool lift you settle for needs to have features that match your preferences and requirements. Whether you’re looking for a temporary or permanent structure or a lift with seat belts and adjustable seats, all these features should be factored into your final decision.
• The pool type: An indoor pool will require you to factor in the height of the ceiling, while an outdoor one does not have height limitations. An above-ground pool may require a lift that can lift users high enough during entry.
• Location: The location of your swimming pool determines the lift you install. All commercial lifts should be ADA-compliant for enhanced pool accessibility. They should meet the stipulated height, width, and weight capacity, be easy to operate using controls, and be located in an open area that can be easily accessed using a wheelchair. Residential pools can be customized to the user’s needs and don’t have to be ADA-compliant.
• Weight capacity: The ADA guides on installing a pool lift that can support a minimum weight of 300 pounds. However, commercial settings require a higher weight limit to make sure the pool is accessible to everyone.