Access BDD Flow X Stairlift: Planning Guide

What is the Flow X, and where does it fit?

The Flow X is Access BDD's stairlift for curved and straight indoor staircases, fitting stairs as narrow as 24 in with ASL.

The Flow X is Access BDD's stairlift for curved staircases, and Access BDD also offers it for straight ones. A motorized chair runs on a single rail that is custom-built to the staircase and mounted to the stair treads, not the wall. The owner manual lists ASL (Advanced Swivel and Leveling) as an option.

With ASL the seat rotates and stays level while the chair moves, and the footrest swivels with the seat. Access BDD says ASL lets the Flow X fit staircases as narrow as 24 in (610 mm). The model code on the US product page is RP01-CU.

Access BDD, the reseller division of TK Access Solutions Ltd. and part of TK Elevator, is a business-to-business supplier that sells its stair lifts through approved dealers. Access BDD's US dealer locator lists Mobility123 as a stair lift dealer.

Where it fits.

• Curved stairs, stairs with turns or intermediate landings, and spiral or helical stairs.
• Narrow stairs, down to 24 in (610 mm) with ASL.
• Straight stairs narrower than Access BDD's straight model allows. Its FAQ says the HomeGlide fits straight stairs "as narrow as 29 inches" (see the HomeGlide guide).
• Stairs that others still use on foot. The rail can be installed close to the step and on either side of the staircase, and the chair folds away when not in use.

Where it does not fit.

• Outdoor stairs. The owner manual says the Flow X "is intended for indoor use only." Access BDD's US site names the HomeGlide Outdoor for outdoor stairs.
• A rider over 275 lb, or two riders at once.
• A person who must stay in a wheelchair. Access BDD's FAQ says a stair lift suits users who can transfer to a seat, and an inclined platform lift suits wheelchair users who prefer to stay in their chair. Options include an inclined platform lift such as the Savaria Delta, a vertical platform lift such as the Bruno VPL, or a home elevator.
• An accessible route in a building covered by the ADA Standards (section 07).

Other curved stairlifts. See the Bruno Elite curved and Handicare Freecurve guides.

Rider checks. The owner manual sets these conditions:

• One person at a time, up to 275 lb (125 kg).
• The rider sits, wears the safety belt, keeps both feet on the footrest, and holds the joystick to travel. Releasing the joystick stops the chair.
• Minors and users with an intellectual disability ride only under supervision, and every rider carries a call device.
• The rider gets on and off only at halt points (the landings), never on the stairs.
• An optional armrest position allows a transfer from a wheelchair (section 02). The wheelchair stays at the landing.

Which Flow X options change the plan?

There is one Flow X model; the seat swivel, folding, rail ends and controls are the choices that change the layout.

There is one Flow X model. The seat swivel, folding, rail ends and control options are the choices that change the layout. Access BDD says "a variety of rail start and end options" are available; the ones not listed below, and their dimensions, are available from the manufacturer or a dealer on request.

What dimensions and ratings does Access BDD publish?

Access BDD publishes rated capacity, speed, incline and seat height for the Flow X, but not rail length or tread loads.

Stops and landings. Access BDD says a trained expert evaluates the staircase layout and installs a rail tailored to its structure and number of landings. Call-and-park stations sit at the top and bottom of the stairs, and can be added at intermediate floors that have a parking point.

The chair stops at every halt point; the rider releases the joystick and pushes it again to continue. Because ASL turns the seat while the chair moves, Access BDD says it removes the need for additional stops and swivel movements on the way.

Not published. Access BDD publishes no maximum rail length, number of stops, tread loads, bracket spacing or landing space for a wheelchair transfer. The rail diameter, rail height above the nosing, rail offset from the wall, chair width and depth, folded projection, swivel clearance at the landings, and the other rail start and end options are available from the manufacturer or a dealer on request. The measurement basis for the 24 in width is not published.

What the site survey measures.

• Stair layout: every turn, landing and winder; total rise; the steepest pitch, checked against 72 degrees.
• Clear width at the narrowest point, and what bounds it: walls, handrails, balusters or newel posts.
• Bottom landing: the space from the bottom step to doors, walls and walkways, to choose the rail end.
• Top and intermediate landings: room for the seat to turn and for the rider to step off or transfer.
• Treads, nosings and finish flooring.
• Power near the charging points, lighting at each halt point, and phone service if the call device is ordered.
• The rider: weight against 275 lb, ability to transfer to a seat, and use of the joystick.

How does the rail mount, and what do the stair and landings need?

The rail mounts to the stair treads, not the wall, on either side, and is custom-built to the exact staircase.

• Finishes first. The rail is custom-built to the staircase as the dealer measures it. Settle treads, nosings, carpet and landing floors before that survey so the rail matches the finished stair.
• Other people on the stair. The owner manual says ASL lets the lift be installed on small and narrow staircases "while making sure that other persons can still walk the stairs," and that "Remodeling work at the staircase is not necessary." The same manual says not to use the lift while anyone else is on the stairs. Plan the walking path beside the parked, folded chair, not beside a moving one.
• Gates and obstacles. The manual asks owners with an existing child stair gate to check that it still works, and to keep the stairs and rail free of obstacles. Access BDD says integrated obstruction sensors stop the lift if something is detected on the stairs.

What power, lighting and controls does the Flow X need?

The Flow X runs on two 12 V batteries that charge when parked, plus a class 2 power supply Access BDD does not fully detail.

The Flow X runs on its batteries and charges when the chair is parked at a charging point.

• Batteries: two 12 V batteries, 24 V total (US product page). The 2022 owner manual rates them at 10 journeys at 275 lb (125 kg) over one floor height (vertical start downstairs, horizontal stop upstairs), with a 16-hour charging time (p. 47).
• Charging points: at the top and bottom of the stairs or at intermediate floors; as an option, at any additional charging point (owner manual p. 2). The manual uses "parking point" and "charging point" for the same place (p. 1). After use, the chair should always be parked at a charging point (p. 7).
• Power supply: class 2; input 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1.7 A; output 36 VDC, 72 W (owner manual p. 47). This is Version 2.2 of the manual (2022); confirm the current rating with the dealer.
• Outlet: the manual says to keep the mains cable connected to the wall outlet and not to remove the plug from the wall socket (pp. 4, 7). Access BDD does not publish the receptacle location, a dedicated circuit, GFCI protection or circuit size. Confirm the receptacle location with the dealer. The electrician sizes and protects the circuit under the electrical code the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) enforces: NEC 2023 in New Jersey.
• Power outage: Access BDD says the Flow X "continues to operate even during a household power outage," and that its stair lifts draw electricity only while charging their batteries.
• Main switch: the chair's on/off switch does not stop battery drain (p. 7).
• Controls: the rider holds the armrest joystick to travel and releases it to stop. An emergency stop button is in the joystick interface. The emergency lowering button, under the same armrest, is held down to lower the chair at reduced speed to the nearest halt point if it stops midway (owner manual pp. 8, 10). Call-and-park stations run on 4 AAA batteries each (p. 41). An attendant control is optional.
• Interlocks: the lift will not ride unless the armrests are in a safe position. With seatbelt detection, the joystick and attendant control do not work until the belt is fastened.
• Phone: the optional call device calls up to three numbers. The 2022 manual describes it as a Communication Module connected to a DECT telephone base station and a landline (pp. 15, 31, 33). If it is ordered, confirm with the dealer what phone service it needs.
• Public or shared spaces: where the optional key lock is used in a public space, the manual says the call-and-park stations must be stored outside the publicly accessible area or in a closable cabinet, because they can still operate the lift (pp. 16-17).

Can the Flow X go outdoors, and what environment does it need?

No. The Flow X is for indoor use only, within 23°F to 104°F and 20 to 80% relative humidity.

No. The owner manual says the Flow X "is intended for indoor use only" and to keep water and moisture away from it. Its technical data list these limits:

Access BDD's US site gives no environmental rating for the Flow X. Check unheated stairwells, such as basement or garage stairs, against the 23 °F lower limit. For exterior stairs, Access BDD's US site names the HomeGlide Outdoor.

What codes apply in New Jersey and Pennsylvania?

Permit and inspection requirements for stairlifts vary by state and building type; confirm them with the AHJ before installation.

What Access BDD states. The US product page lists the Flow X certification as "ASME A18.1-2023; CSA B355:2024; EN 81-40:2020; Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC." It names no A18.1 part. For use outside a private residence, confirm through the dealer that Access BDD certifies the Flow X for that use, and under which part.

New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Permit and inspection requirements for stairlifts vary by state, building type and local code office. Confirm them with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) before installation. Stairlifts in commercial buildings and in the common areas of apartment buildings need a permit and yearly inspection.

Accessibility (public buildings only). The U.S. Access Board says stairway chairlifts cannot be used where the 2010 ADA Standards permit platform lifts (206.7), because riders must transfer to a fixed seat.

Who decides. The AHJ decides which code requirements apply, the design professional decides whether an accessible route is needed, the dealer confirms the fit to the staircase and rider, and Access BDD confirms certification outside a private residence. For everything else, see NJ and PA code requirements.

Who does what on a Flow X project?

The owner, architect, contractor, electrician, dealer and manufacturer each carry a defined task, listed in the process steps and table below.

1. Step 01

   Check the rider and the stair

   Rider weight against 275 lb, one rider, able to transfer to a seat and hold the joystick. Stair indoors, pitch up to 72 degrees, narrowest width checked against 24 in with ASL.

2. Step 02

   Dealer survey and rail design

   An Access BDD dealer evaluates the staircase layout and landings and designs the custom rail. Choose the swivel type, rail ends, folding and options.

3. Step 03

   Prepare the stair, landings and power

   Finish treads and floors, clear the landings, provide power where the dealer directs, light each halt point, and arrange phone service if the call device is ordered.

4. Step 04

   Install, test and hand over

   The dealer installs the rail and chair, and an authorized technician demonstrates how the lift operates.

What mistakes should planners avoid?

Most mistakes come from treating 24 in as universal, changing finishes after the survey, or leaving the rail end in a walkway.

• Treating 24 in as a universal minimum. Access BDD states it for ASL, an option in the owner manual, and publishes no measurement basis, so a layout built on it may not fit.
• Planning from old or non-US Flow X documents. They carry different model codes, certifications or speed figures, so drawings and submittals may not match the lift ordered.
• Changing finishes after the survey. The rail is custom-built to the staircase as measured, so new treads or carpet may no longer match it.
• No power at the charging point, or a plug that gets pulled. The batteries stop charging, and a chair left off a charging point runs its batteries down.
• Putting the rail end in a doorway or walkway. It obstructs traffic at the foot of the stair. Access BDD offers the 4 in short-start drop nose and a parking curve for this.
• Specifying it for an exterior stair, or an unheated stair that can drop below 23 °F. The owner manual limits the Flow X to indoor use at 23 to 104 °F and 20 to 80% relative humidity, so the lift would run outside its stated conditions of use.
• Leaving landings dark. Riders get on and off at halt points without the light the owner manual requires.
• Counting the Flow X as an ADA accessible route. The Access Board says stairway chairlifts cannot be used where the ADA permits platform lifts, so the building still lacks the accessible route the design professional found necessary.

Checklists

Confirm these architect, general contractor and electrician items before the Flow X is ordered and before construction proceeds.

What warranty and service does Access BDD publish?

Access BDD does not publish Flow X warranty terms; ask the local dealer for the written terms before ordering.

Access BDD does not publish Flow X warranty terms on its US site. Its website terms say the lifetime warranty offer on its products "is subject to full terms and conditions," that the warranty "is provided and managed through our network of local dealers, and not directly by Access BDD," and that customers should review the terms their local dealer provides. Ask the dealer for the written warranty terms before ordering.

Registration on Access BDD's US site is optional. It produces a digital product ownership certificate, and Access BDD says "Registering your stairlift does not change the terms of your warranty."

Service. Access BDD's US FAQ says: "We recommend having it serviced at least once a year by your local Access BDD dealer." The owner manual strongly recommends annual service by an authorized service company, covering the safety functions (including the emergency lowering button and safety belt), moving parts, electronics (batteries and cabling), the drive, and the rail (fixings and grease).

Frequently asked questions

Sources and revision history