Choosing a Ceiling Track Hoist that will suit you
20 Minute Read
Choosing the Right Ceiling Hoist Track Layout for Your Facility
At Medaco, we’ve covered many considerations when it comes to installing ceiling hoists in care facilities – everything from service user specifications to budget constraints. One of the most common questions we receive is:
“What ceiling hoist track layout is best suited for my facility?”
In this blog, we’ll explore the two main types of ceiling hoist track designs – Straight Rail Systems and XY (H-Frame) Systems – and help you understand which option might be the best fit for your needs.
Straight Rail System
XY System
Straight Rail System
A Straight Rail System involves a single fixed track installed across a room. It’s ideal for point-to-point transfers – for example, from a bed to a chair.
Key Benefits:
✓ Budget-friendly: The most cost-effective option available.
✓ Quick installation: Can typically be completed in half a day.
✓ Minimal disruption: A straightforward setup with fewer support brackets.
Enhancements Available:
Turntables or switches: Allow for added flexibility, such as extending the track to an ensuite or adjacent room.
Important Considerations:
🧠 The room layout must be fixed and unchanging, as the track installation is permanent.
🧠 More complex layouts (e.g., with bends or turntables) may require additional brackets, which can increase costs.
XY System (H-Frame System)
An XY System provides full room coverage with seamless X and Y axis movement, giving your service users complete freedom of movement across the entire space.
Key Benefits:
✓ Full range of motion: Ideal for hoisting anywhere in the room.
✓ Greater flexibility: Particularly useful in emergency situations like falls.
✓ Installation options: Can be mounted on ceilings or walls using a post-and-bracket system.
Installation Notes:
🧠 Requires a minimum of four fixing points.
🧠 Typically takes a full day to install.
🧠 May present technical challenges such as navigating pipework, windows, and doors but this is where Medaco can assist.
🧠 Larger rooms (over 8m²) may require special design considerations, especially if wall mounting is needed.
Other Options
Room-to-Room Systems
When seamless transfers between rooms are needed-such as from a bedroom to a bathroom-a room-to-room system is ideal. This setup uses two tracks, one in each room, with separate motor pods that allow the user to move between spaces without ever touching the floor. Watch our Room to room demo video.
Gated Room Systems
A Gated Room System uses a locking mechanism between two rooms, connecting them via a single hoist motor. This design is perfect for allowing a service user to traverse between two rooms seamlessly using one motorised hoist.
Turntables
Turntables can be integrated into a Straight Rail System to add flexibility. For example, in a swimming pool changing area, one track might go over the pool while others lead into changing rooms. Turntables allow service users to choose between multiple transfer paths easily.
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