Savaria V-1504 Vertical Platform Lift: Planning Guide

What is the Savaria V-1504, and where does it fit?

The Savaria V-1504 is Savaria's hydraulic vertical platform lift for homes and public buildings needing access without stairs or a ramp.

The V-1504 is Savaria's hydraulic vertical platform lift (VPL). A 3 hp gear-type hydraulic pump drives the platform through a 2:1 roller chain. The platform rides roller guides on a modular tower. The tower is anchored to a structural wall, built into a constructed hoistway, or carried by an engineered steel frame. Because the drive is in the tower, no machine room is needed. For quieter operation, the drive can be ordered in a remote controller and pump box instead.

Savaria lists every variant for residential and commercial use. Savaria names the Standard's most common job as access to a raised deck or porch, or to a change in level created by a short staircase. In homes it often goes inside a hoistway. In public buildings Savaria names schools, places of worship, retail and hospitality. The factory Enclosure suits outdoor lifts and indoor balcony or mezzanine access.

Where it does not fit:

• Through a floor without a shaft. Savaria states that safety code does not permit any vertical platform lift to penetrate a floor. Where the V-1504 passes a floor, it needs a shaftway.
• US commercial rises above 12 to 14 ft. Savaria's 23 ft figure applies to residential use (and to Canada).
• New construction accessible routes, in most cases. The 2010 ADA Standards allow a platform lift on an accessible route in new construction only in the locations listed in section 206.7. Existing buildings may use one (see section 07).
• Very high traffic. The planning guide rates the lift for 30 (normal), 75 (heavy) or 100 (excessive) cycles a day, and 12 starts in 1 hour on a standard installation. Savaria asks you to consult its sales representative if use may exceed these amounts.
• Freight, evacuation or unsupervised children. Savaria's owner's manual says not to use the lift to transport items or for evacuation during a fire, and that people under 16 should not use it unsupervised. Plan school installations and egress routes with that in mind.

The product most often confused with the V-1504 is Savaria's own Multilift. The Multilift is a short-rise porch lift with a screw drive. The V-1504 is hydraulic and serves higher travel and more stops.

Other platform lifts are on the wheelchair lift category page.

Which V-1504 variant fits the project?

Choose Standard, Enclosure, Prestige or Lux based on the required travel, finish and whether the lift needs a factory enclosure.

All variants share the same tower and drive: 750 lb (340 kg) rated load, 20 ft/min, 2:1 chain hydraulic drive with a 3 hp motor, and a 120 VAC, 20 A supply. They differ in enclosure, finish and travel.

Notes for the specifier:

• The travel limit depends on use. The planning guide lists 23 ft (7 m) maximum travel with no qualifier. Savaria's Enclosure page limits US commercial use to 12 to 14 ft, "varies by code enforced in your jurisdiction". Savaria does not say which code edition gives 12 ft and which gives 14 ft. Confirm the limit with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) and Savaria before design development.
• Platform sizes differ by variant on Savaria's pages. The Standard and Enclosure pages list 36 x 48, 36 x 54 and 36 x 60 in, plus custom sizes up to 42 x 60 in. The Prestige and Lux pages list 36 x 54 in (standard) and 36 x 60 in, plus custom sizes up to 42 x 60 in. Confirm size availability for the chosen variant and entry type with Savaria.
• Gates. The planning guide lists the platform gate as a standard safety feature, and Savaria's owner's manual says it is required for public applications and optional for residential ones. The listed option is a platform gate with a metal insert and electric strike. Savaria's Standard page says the upper landing gate is a requirement dictated by travel distance, but Savaria does not publish that travel threshold; confirm it with Savaria.
• Ramps. Savaria offers two ramp types: a fixed access ramp, and an automatic safety ramp mounted on the platform. Savaria's Standard page says the automatic folding access ramp is included on commercial non-hoistway lifts and is optional for residential use. Only the Standard and Enclosure pages offer a ramp in place of the 3 in pit.
• Other options in the planning guide include a top landing gate, 80 in landing doors, fire-rated flush-mounted entrances, a folding seat, a platform telephone, public building and outdoor packages, a 24 V battery backup, a remote controller and pump box, and Savaria Link remote monitoring.

What size is the V-1504, and how far can it travel?

The V-1504 carries 750 lb at 20 ft/min, with six platform sizes and travel up to 23 ft residential or 12 to 14 ft US commercial.

80 in cab walls. Savaria's generic specification for the Standard says the full car enclosure option is not available on platforms wider than 38 in, and that an enclosed cab needs a full 80 in door at the upper landing. The planning guide's only 80 in cab load table uses a 36 x 60 in platform. Confirm availability with Savaria before you specify 80 in cab walls on a 42 in wide platform.

Platform types and accessibility

Savaria names platforms by entry type. Type 1 (1L or 1R) has entry and exit at one end only. Type 2 has entry and exit at both ends. Types 3 and 4 have entry at one end and one side (90 degree access). The planning guide draws all six platform sizes for every type.

Savaria's 2025 brochure adds "Type 1, 2 only" to its platform size line and does not say whether that limits custom sizes. Confirm that a 36 x 60 or 42 x 60 in Type 3 or 4 platform is available before you design a 90 degree public lift.

Under ADA 410.6, end doors and gates need 32 in clear width minimum and must stay open 20 seconds minimum. The platform sill may sit no more than 1 1/4 in from the landing edge (410.4). The Access Board's guide adds that A18.1 caps platform size at 18 sq ft. Savaria's largest size, 42 x 60 in, is 17.5 sq ft.

Savaria's generic specification, an older template that names no A117.1 edition, says a 90 degree platform in the US needs size 36 x 60 or 42 x 60 in to meet ADA, and 42 x 60 in to meet ANSI A117.1, with a 42 in door on the 90 degree side. It also says an automatic operator is needed on the lower door wherever no pit is built.

New Jersey enforces ICC A117.1-2017 and amends its Section 410.5.2.2 (existing buildings) to apply only "where technically infeasible to provide the door arrangement prescribed by Section 410.5.2.1" (N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.14). For a 90 degree platform in an existing NJ building, confirm the door arrangement with the building subcode official.

Hoistway and enclosure footprints

The planning guide gives example runway (pit) sizes for each platform with a 3 in pit. A is the finished runway width. B is the finished runway length. The planning guide draws Types 3 and 4 enclosures only with the 45 in side opening. Savaria does not publish runway dimensions for the Prestige or Lux; get site-specific installation drawings from Savaria or an authorized Savaria dealer.

Hoistway application

Enclosure application

The hoistway drawings show 9/16 in (14 mm) running clearance at entrance sides and 3 in (76 mm) at the other walls. Mast height grows with travel. Savaria's example tables (3 in pit, 4.188 in cap included) run from 108.188 in at 48 in travel to 342.188 in at 276 in travel.

Intermediate values differ between the hoistway and enclosure tables, so take the mast height from the site-specific drawing. These are nominal planning dimensions. Savaria asks that you get site-specific installation drawings from Savaria or an authorized Savaria dealer before construction.

How much pit, overhead and structure does the V-1504 need?

The V-1504 needs a 3 in pit (or a ramp), 88 in of overhead in a hoistway, and a wall and floor engineered for Savaria's load tables.

Overhead. The hoistway drawings show 88 in (2235 mm) minimum overhead from each landing floor to the structure above, and an 80 in (2032 mm) door height. The planning guide text leaves the minimum to code: the owner must ensure the overhead clearance complies with codes.

For an Enclosure with the dome and ventilation option, Savaria's drawing shows about 100 in from the top landing floor to the top of the dome. Savaria does not publish a minimum overhead for unenclosed installations.

Loads. The structural engineer must confirm that the building and shaft carry all lift loads. Savaria's worst-case tables assume a bracket spacing of 36 in, include no safety factor, and exclude wind, seismic, environmental and acceleration forces. Savaria recommends a minimum safety factor of 4. The wall load below is per mounting point; double it for the load per bracket. Pit loads are with support legs, except the Prestige table, which is without.

Page 9 of the planning guide asks for a floor that supports 3200 lb. The enclosure and glass tables list pit loads well above that, so design the pit and slab from the table for the chosen configuration and from the site-specific drawings.

Outdoor slab (unenclosed lift). Savaria's sample detail shows a 6 in (152.4 mm) reinforced concrete slab of 4531 psi (30 MPa), 1/2 in rebar at 12 in (305 mm) centers each way, over 15 in (381 mm) of compaction rock, with 1.5 in (38.1 mm) insulation as an option. Take the slab plan size from the site-specific drawing. A fascia panel below the upper landing must be installed to eliminate pinch points.

Hoistway construction. Build the hoistway to the platform lift safety standard or the elevator safety code, and to state and local codes. Leave the door section of the wall free of studs, and build return walls after the entrance assemblies are set. Hoistway fascia is not self-supporting on long runs without entrances.

What electrical work does the V-1504 need?

The lift needs a dedicated 120 VAC, 20 A circuit through a fused disconnect outside the hoistway, plus lighting, a pit GFCI outlet and a phone line.

• Controls. The platform and the call/send stations use continuous-pressure buttons, with an emergency stop on the platform. The operating panel and call stations come with keyed access as standard; keyless operation is an option.
• Emergency lowering. If power fails, battery lowering brings the platform to the bottom landing. A manual lowering device, operated from outside the hoistway pit, lowers it if the battery system fails. A 24 V battery backup option gives a minimum of 5 trips, up and down.
• Communication. Savaria states that code requires a two-way communication system on a commercial wheelchair lift. The brochure lists an ADA hands-free phone and Savaria's One Touch Alert System, which uses a prepaid nano SIM card supplied by the owner. The owner's manual tells owners to shut a hoistway or enclosure lift down until an inactive phone line is restored.
• Remote drive. The remote controller and pump box measures 31.875 in wide, 48.625 in high and 10.125 in deep. Savaria does not publish the maximum distance between the lift and the box; confirm it with Savaria.

ADA 207.2 requires standby power for a platform lift that the IBC permits to serve as part of an accessible means of egress. Savaria's owner's manual says not to use the lift for firefighting or for evacuation during a fire, and Savaria's only published standby feature is the 24 V battery backup option. Before counting a V-1504 as part of an accessible means of egress, get written confirmation from Savaria and the AHJ.

Can the V-1504 go outdoors?

The Standard, Enclosure and Lux work outdoors; the Prestige is rated for indoor use only.

The Standard, Enclosure and Lux can. Savaria lists them for indoor or outdoor use, and describes the Prestige for indoor applications only.

• Temperature: indoor +5 °F to +122 °F (-15 °C to +50 °C); outdoor -20 °F to +122 °F (-29 °C to +50 °C).
• Outdoor package: zinc-coated, corrosion-resistant steel parts. The planning guide lists an automatic safety ramp on the platform as an option for the outdoor model; Savaria's Standard page says the automatic folding ramp is included on commercial non-hoistway lifts and optional for residential use.
• Outdoor enclosure: Savaria recommends the Plexiglas dome and ventilation system. A weather-resistant lock is available.
• Pit and slab: the pit must be waterproof and may need a drain. The outdoor slab detail shows optional 1.5 in insulation.
• Harsh sites: Savaria's warranty says lifts in harsh environments, such as salt water or temperature extremes, need additional maintenance to keep the warranty.
• Finish: beige powder coat is standard. Gloss colors, semi-gloss and Velvacoat textured finishes, and custom or RAL colors are options.

Which codes apply in New Jersey and Pennsylvania?

Savaria states the V-1504 meets ASME A18.1 editions from 2003 to 2023; New Jersey and Pennsylvania each enforce a specific edition by date.

Everything not specific to the V-1504 is on NJ and PA code requirements.

What Savaria states

Savaria's planning guide states that the V1504 meets ASME A18.1 in the 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023 editions, Section 2 (public) and Section 5 (private), and recommends that you contact your local AHJ. No V-1504 document states a UL or ETL listing.

• New Jersey references A18.1-2023 (IBC/2024 Chapter 35), which is on the list.
• Pennsylvania applies A18.1-1999 with the A18.1a-2001 addenda, which is not on the list, to permit applications made before December 20, 2026. Confirm with Savaria and the Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) how the lift will be documented. Later applications use A18.1-2017 (34 Pa. Code § 405.2).
• ADA 410.1 references A18.1-1999 or 2003; 2003 is on the list.

New Jersey

• The V-1504 is an "elevator device" under N.J.A.C. 5:23-12 and needs a construction permit (5:23-12.1(e); 5:23-2.14). The 2024 codes took effect August 17, 2026, with a six-month grace period for applications under the prior code (5:23-1.6(a)).
• Where the State has elevator subcode jurisdiction, DCA reviews the plans, signed and sealed by a New Jersey licensed architect or engineer. For a commercial lift, DCA's process calls for the building subcode official's Platform Lift Certification letter before elevator plan review.
• A licensed elevator mechanic, or a person under one's supervision, installs it (N.J.S.A. 45:14H-5a, and the licensing board's rules, N.J.A.C. 13:44M-2.1 and 13:44M-5.2(c)).
• In Groups R-3, R-4 and R-5, not accessible to the public, the lift needs no periodic inspection or registration (5:23-12.3(a)5; 12.4(b)). A lift wholly inside an R-2 dwelling unit that the public cannot use also needs no periodic inspection (12.2(a)). Where DCA is the subcode official, a sealed report by a New Jersey licensed engineer or registered architect completes acceptance of these lifts (SLCI-Admin 001-2020). Other lifts are registered with DCA before the certificate of occupancy or approval (12.4(b)) and are inspected and tested at least yearly.

Pennsylvania

A lift used only by the occupants of one dwelling unit in a solely residential building is outside 34 Pa. Code Chapter 405 (§ 405.1(b)(3)); ask the municipal building code official about permits for the related work. Other lifts need a DLI permit, acceptance inspection and certificate of operation (§§ 405.3, 405.5, 405.6).

Public buildings

In new construction, a platform lift may serve an accessible route only in the locations in ADA 206.7. New Jersey enforces IBC/2024 Chapter 11 with ICC A117.1-2017; Pennsylvania, the 2018 IBC accessibility provisions with ICC A117.1-2009 (confirm the A117.1 edition with the building code official). Sections 03, 05 and 09 cover sizing, standby power and keyless operation.

For an access ramp in place of the pit, Savaria gives 1:8 in existing buildings and 1:12 in new construction; ADA 405.2 allows 1:8 only in existing sites, for a rise of 3 in or less where space is limited.

Who decides

The AHJ decides the A18.1 edition, the allowed travel, any variance and whether ADA 405.2 governs a lift ramp. The architect or engineer decides whether the codes allow a platform lift for the use. Savaria confirms travel, sizes by variant and site-specific drawings.

Who does what on a V-1504 project?

Confirming the code path, engineering the structure, building and wiring the site, and installing and certifying the lift are split among the trades below.

1. Step 01

   Confirm the code path

   Confirm that a platform lift is allowed for the use, which A18.1 edition the AHJ enforces, and whether the US commercial travel limit applies.

2. Step 02

   Choose variant, platform and entrances

   Pick the variant, platform type and size, and the door or gate at each landing. Check ADA size, door and keyless-operation rules for public use.

3. Step 03

   Get site-specific drawings

   Savaria asks that you get site-specific installation drawings from Savaria or an authorized dealer before construction.

4. Step 04

   Engineer and permit

   The structural engineer confirms wall, pit and slab design. The permit application follows the state process in section 07; in NJ, a licensed architect or engineer signs and seals the layout drawings.

5. Step 05

   Build and wire

   The GC builds the pit, support wall or hoistway and openings. The electrician runs the lift circuit, disconnect, lighting and phone line.

6. Step 06

   Install, inspect, certify

   The lift installer installs the lift (in NJ, a licensed elevator mechanic or a person under one's supervision). Acceptance and the certificate follow the state process in section 07 before the lift is used.

What planning mistakes cause rework?

Common rework comes from underestimating travel limits, anchorage loads, pit slab loads, platform size and control or disconnect placement.

• Running the lift through a floor opening without a shaft. Savaria states code does not permit it. The design must add a shaftway.
• Assuming 23 ft of travel on a US commercial job. Savaria limits US commercial use to 12 to 14 ft. A taller rise found late forces a redesign.
• Anchoring the tower to an ordinary stud wall. Each bracket bolt must resist at least 472 lb of pull-out, and Savaria's worst-case tables show 526 to 583 lbf per mounting point before its recommended safety factor of 4. Without built-up stud columns or masonry, the anchorage fails the engineer's review.
• Sizing the pit slab from the 3200 lb figure alone. Glass enclosure and Prestige tables list pit loads up to 6056 lbf and 7750 lbf. An undersized slab must be redesigned.
• Specifying a 48 in long platform with a 90 degree entry on a public job. ADA needs a 60 in platform length when a door is on the long side. The platform and the runway must be resized.
• Leaving key-operated controls on a public lift. The Access Board's guide says a lift that users must request or retrieve a key to operate does not meet ADA independent use. Order keyless operation, or plan how the lift stays usable without a key while the facility is open.
• Placing the disconnect inside the hoistway or in a public area. The planning guide requires it outside the hoistway and away from the general public. It must be moved.
• Planning from the older Lux and Prestige brochure or the old generic specifications. They list a 1 hp motor and "110 volt" power; the current planning guide lists 3 hp and 120 VAC, 20 A.

Planning checklists by trade

Separate checklists cover the architect or designer, the general contractor and the electrician for a V-1504 installation.

What does Savaria's warranty cover?

Savaria's Manufacturer's Limited Product Warranty covers parts for 36 months from shipment, but excludes labor and consumable or wear items.

Savaria's Manufacturer's Limited Product Warranty for North America (Part No. 000599, Rev February 2025) gives Savaria products a 36-month term.

• Start: the warranty starts on the date the product ships from a Savaria factory or distribution center.
• Coverage: parts that fail from defective material or workmanship, repaired or replaced at Savaria's option. Savaria may supply factory reconditioned parts. The warranty is facilitated by the authorized Savaria dealer and is not transferable.
• Labor: Savaria's warranty does not cover labor charges for troubleshooting, removal, repair or replacement of warranty parts.
• Conditions: the lift must be bought, installed, serviced and maintained by an authorized Savaria dealer, in conformance with all applicable local and national codes. The warranty is void if the dealer does not carry out regular inspection and maintenance as the owner's manual recommends. The owner keeps the service records.
• Exclusions: consumables (such as batteries, oil seals and hydraulic fluid), wear items (such as panels, glass, acrylic, gates, doors and buttons), paint, caulking and weather seals, and damage from misuse, poor maintenance, improper installation, building or hoistway condition, overloading or acts of God.
• Parts bought later: parts purchased after the warranty period carry a 90-day warranty.

The owner's manual calls for the listed maintenance checks at least once a year. It lists every 6 months for commercial or exterior lifts and for residential lifts in excessive use. It also calls for a monthly test of the two-way communication, and an emergency stop test by trained personnel every 6 months.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and revision history