Creating the perfect ceiling track hoist layout

When it comes to specifying a ceiling track hoist layout, we know how to make sure you can get the most out of your system. Whether it’s choosing where in the room your hoist needs to pass over or being able to fit the track around corners with the ability to change directions, we can help to create the best layout for you.

Finding the pick-up points

Pick-up points (also referred to as lifting points) are locations around the room where you will need the hoist to pass over. This could be something like a bed, toilet, chair, or changing table. The hoist track should facilitate a safe, simple transfer on and off these items, giving the carer and the user the easiest option possible. Any good hoisting specifier should be able to identify whereabouts the pick-up points will be.

The lifting point should be positioned centrally over the object or area that you will be accessing. For example, when placing a pick-up point over a toilet, it should be centrally over the toilet aperture and about 150mm away from the front of the toilet pan (but this does differ depending on the situation and the client’s needs). These lifting points should always be accurately measured to ensure that the individual has the best transfer possible. This will also help to prevent unnecessary wear and tear of the hoist unit and tapes.

These measurements are different for each piece of furniture/equipment that you will be transferring to and from. The pick-up point over a bed is usually measured from the bedhead, and the lifting point over a bath depends on the slope of the tub.

Tracking around corners

As you can imagine, hoist tracking needs to be able to facilitate transfers from one room to another. Through areas like corridors, hoist tracking should be installed in the centre of the ceiling, leaving equal distance on either side of the individual. This might mean that the tracking needs to go around corners and change directions. Similar to train tracks, hoist tracking needs curved pieces to veer in a new direction.

Our track curves can be inset or hung from the ceiling to allow hoisting track to follow the perfect path for your care environment. From a slight 15° curve, through to a 90° corner bend, our AirGlide360 tracking can be perfectly designed to match the layout of the building.

Switching between tracks

Of course, there will be times when you need to switch between different parts of the track in order to go in different directions. Our AirGlide360 track switch is a straightforward solution when a change in direction is required. We usually install these in areas like the bathroom, where the individual may need to access either the toilet or the shower.

There’s also the option of a turntable. This small device can be fitted where two tracks cross over, allowing you to change direction in a confined space. The AirGlide360 turntable is available in either a 3 or 4-way action and is ideal for somewhere like a hospice where it can facilitate fast, easy transfers between different rooms.

The Ultimate Solution

One way to make sure that all these things are covered with ease is by installing a X-Y hoisting system (also referred to as a H-frame). This consists of 2 fixed rails at either end of the end, with a hung traverse rail moving along them. The hoist unit sits on the moving rails and can slide across it, giving you lifting access at any point in the room. To make this system more discreet, we can use inset tracking on the fixed rails so that less space is taken up by the system itself. This is by far the most flexible hoisting system, providing you with the ability to hoist the individual to and from any location in the room.

Summary

These are a few ways that we can create the best hoist tracking solution for you. From the initial layout, right through to the components themselves, there are ways and means to create the best hoisting system possible for any environment.

Our hoisting specialists can find a way to provide excellent transfers in any space, whether it’s on a fixed monorail track or an X-Y system. Whether you’re looking for a fully-comprehensive X-Y layout or a simple monorail system, we can help you create the ideal ceiling track hoist layout with no hassle at all.