Jenny Scott (asker) Jan 21, 2014:

Client advised: Lift suitable for disabled persons This was the client's preference. I agree with this choice here, as I don't think it's normal to have a huge stretcher-sized lift in an ordinary office building, where people are not normally expected to be stretchered out on a daily basis (despite the fact that sometimes they might want to be!).

However, I don't think that is the right choice on a general basis, and I am inclined to think that in other instances, it should be 'stretcher lift'.

Thank you everyone for all of your help!

Charles Ek Jan 20, 2014:

That's all true, but it's unlikely to be a point stressed in instructions for occupants of the building. Unless it's a really, really stressful working environment ...

Norskpro Jan 20, 2014:

Why would a stretcher lift be only for disabled persons? It is also needed if someone falls ill or if someone dies.

Jenny Scott (asker) Jan 20, 2014:

I give up - I'm going to query it with the client! Then we will know for sure! Thanks both, and I'll let you know what they say.

Charles Ek Jan 20, 2014:

I've almost come around to Sven's answer. It seems likely the point is that the lift is large enough for any wheelchair to turn around, as I have now indicated in my response below to Sven's suggestion. Some of the powered wheelchairs are quite large, so this is obviously a concern in an office building.

Jenny Scott (asker) Jan 20, 2014:

I take your point, Sven!

'Stretcher lift' was my first thought too - it just doesn't feel right here, as it seems a bit OTT for a building like this.

Sven Petersson Jan 20, 2014:

No, we do not generally agree ... Please read http://www.lofotposten.no/lokale_nyheter/article2148000.ece

Jenny Scott (asker) Jan 20, 2014:

That's a good alternative! I will use that if nothing else pops up ('lift suitable for disabled persons'?).

'Båreheis' seems a pretty obscure term to me though - (in my experience) most lifts these days seem to be suitable for disabled persons, so I don't know why they would feel the need to draw attention to this feature, without being more specific about it.

Do we generally agree that it is a lift that is perhaps bigger than an average lift, and certainly big enough to accommodate a wheelchair (though not necessarily a stretcher as such!)?

Charles Ek Jan 20, 2014:

If it's the only lift available, could they be intending to say "a lift equipped for disabled persons" or the like? I can't think of another way to indicate it's available to everyone without getting wordy!

Jenny Scott (asker) Jan 20, 2014:

lift is for ordinary office building Sorry, this is my fault for not providing sufficient context. The lift is for an ordinary office building, so I'm pretty sure that 'stretcher lift' is not relevant here.

I'm not even sure that it is intended to be used only by disabled people, since there are 4 storeys in the building, and even though they are clearly quite a progressive company and encourage fitness in their employees, I don't think that many companies would expect their staff to walk up and down 4 storeys with no alternative. The text also describes the lift in a very ordinary context, with no references to use by a particular group of people.