Penair School Updates Disabled Access Facilities With Two Movement Management Platform Lifts

Penair School in Truro has turned to Movement Management once again to fulfil its disabled access requirements by installing a second Companion Supreme platform lift, one of the companies most popular products.

A co-educational establishment, Penair School currently has over 1,200 pupils aged between eleven and sixteen. Jeff Hocking, Electrical Design Engineer at Cornwall County Council first approached Movement Management about two years ago when he specified a Companion Supreme for a new extension to the school which became the history and languages department.

At that time the school already had another lift in situ which provided access to the craft, technology and design department. However, this had been installed by another company about twenty years previously, wasn't located in a very good position, and was in urgent need of replacement. Movement Management were therefore subsequently approached to replace this lift with another Supreme.

"I initially chose the Supreme" says Jeff Hocking "because of its aesthetically pleasing design and the fact that its also very straightforward to install. It is a free standing structure which does not need a pit, which in turn, ensures that any building work is kept down to a minimum."

"This, and a combination of positive feedback from the school about the lift" he explains "together with the fact that Movement Management had provided us with an outstanding service by ensuring that the initial installation went smoothly, to budget and on time meant they were the obvious choice for the replacement lift."

In addition to looking good, the Companion Supreme which can be used for internal or external applications is simply operated via a 240v electricity supply. It can travel to an maximum height of 2000mm and with its generous sized platform can easily accommodate a wheel chair passenger and attendant. Safety of course is of primary importance and the Supreme, like all other lifts in the companies product range, meets the stringent requirements of Part M of the UK Building Regulations, European safety standards and the Machinery Directive.

Jeff Hocking comments: "Penair School tackled the issue of disabled access over twenty years ago when it first installed a platform lift. However, disabled access is now a priority for schools everywhere in the UK who due to the Disability Discrimination Act will have to make sure any necessary changes and improvements are in place by 2004. The council is therefore currently undertaking a survey of all public buildings in the county to ascertain specific access requirements. If, and when we do need to discuss platform lift options Movement Management will definitely be our first port of call."