What is the Oxford Disability Lift?
The Oxford Disability Lift is a bespoke hidden platform lift designed for seated wheelchair users only. It combines features from the Regent Lift and the Knightsbridge Lift, including horizontal retracting stairs, a top landing gate, a rising button post, and a 100 mm wheel stop system. It is suitable for rises up to 999 mm, as rises over one metre require full 1100 mm-high protective barriers.
How does the Oxford Lift differ from the Regent Lift?
The Regent Lift uses a top-landing gate and horizontal retracting stairs but does not include a rising button post. The Oxford Lift includes the rising button post and wheel stop system, giving users accessible controls and stability during travel.
Regent Lift: https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/regent-lift
How does the Oxford Lift differ from the Knightsbridge Lift?
The Knightsbridge Lift uses a rising barrier at the upper landing, whereas the Oxford Lift uses a gate at the upper landing. The Knightsbridge requires approximately 1.6 metres of depth below the upper landing level to house its rising barrier mechanism. Where this space is not available, the Oxford Lift is specified instead.
Knightsbridge Lift: https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/knightsbridge-lift
When would you specify the Oxford Disability Lift instead of the Knightsbridge?
You would choose the Oxford Lift when there is not enough depth below the upper landing level for the Knightsbridge Lift’s rising barrier system. This may occur when structural beams or rooms below restrict the available space.
Who is the Oxford Disability Lift designed for?
The lift is designed for seated wheelchair users only. The 100 mm wheel stop system prevents wheelchair wheels from rolling off the platform but does not protect standing passengers.
What are the platform dimensions for the Oxford Lift?
The usable platform space is approximately 1405 mm long by 854 mm wide. To accommodate the rising button post, the overall platform structure is around 1010 mm wide by 1405 mm long.
What pit space does the Oxford Lift require?
The standard pit cut-out for the lift platform is 1162 mm wide by 1484 mm long.
Because the stairs retract horizontally, an additional pit is required behind the top riser:
– 1200 mm long
– Typically 650 mm deep below upper landing finished floor level, or 100mm below lower landing level, whichever is larger
This area allows the stairs to retract safely and for the gate mechanism.
Is additional space required at the upper landing?
Yes. A pit section approximately 475 mm wide by 1200 mm long is required to house the upper landing gate mechanism and pivot components on the gate pivot point side.
What is the cut-out for the rising button post?
A cut-out drops approximately 1400 mm below the lower landing level to allow the rising button post to extend up to 900 mm above platform level during operation. This gives the user accessible controls and stability.
Can the pit be one level instead of having a cut-out?
Yes. The entire pit can be constructed as one deeper level instead of providing a separate cut-out. This simplifies construction, but increases the overall pit depth. The drawing pack shows both options.
What drainage considerations apply?
If a deeper isolated pit is created for the rising button post, drainage becomes more challenging. Sump pumps or dedicated drainage solutions may be required. If the site already has an existing void below, such as a traditional London townhouse moat space, drainage is more straightforward.
Can the Oxford Disability Lift be installed indoors and outdoors?
Yes. The lift can be installed internally or externally, provided drainage and waterproofing are properly managed.
What gate options are available at the upper landing?
The standard gate is a stainless steel drive shaft with a glass gate panel. Bespoke gate designs can be used, provided they are strong enough. If additional support is needed, a pivot point may be fixed into a nearby handrail or wall.
Where can I find the machine room and controls information?
Full details are included in the drawing packs that architects can request.
What drawing packs are available for the Oxford Disability Lift?
Two drawing packs are available:
– Oxford Disability Lift Single Scissor Lift (up to 650 mm rise)
– Oxford Disability Lift Double Scissor Lift (up to 999 mm rise)
Which other Sesame lifts use horizontal retracting stairs?
The Regent Lift, Knightsbridge Lift, and Mayfair Lift all use horizontal retracting stairs, similar to the Oxford Lift.
Mayfair Lift: https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/mayfair-lift