The People’s Lift – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is The People’s Lift designed for?
The People’s Lift is a compact platform lift designed to bridge a single step, typically at the front door of a private residence. It offers a cost-effective way to make a home entrance fully wheelchair accessible without major structural work.
Q: How does The People’s Lift differ from your other lifts like the Kensington or Mayfair?
Unlike the Kensington or Mayfair, which are suited to multi-step or public access projects, The People’s Lift is purpose-built for a single low rise (around 150–200 mm). It uses a simplified hydraulic platform with the power unit integrated directly below the lift—no external machine cabinet required.
Q: What are the standard platform and pit dimensions?
The standard platform size is approximately 1405 mm (L) × 906 mm (W), with a pit depth of 540 mm. The overall pit to be formed is about 1497 mm × 1078 mm.
Dimensions can be adjusted during design to match the surrounding step or threshold.
Q: Does The People’s Lift require a separate machine room or cabinet?
No. The entire hydraulic system, including the power pack and control valves, is contained within the lift pit itself. This makes it ideal for small domestic spaces and reduces the visual impact near a front entrance.
Q: How is rainwater or surface water managed around The People’s Lift?
External versions include a front sump pit (about 515 mm × 620 mm × 600 mm deep) that collects water from the lift pit. This can drain either by gravity or via a compact sump pump beneath a small, discreet service hatch.
Further details on drainage options and maintenance are explained on our Lift pit drainage and installation.
Q: Can The People’s Lift be installed indoors as well as outdoors?
Yes. It can be installed indoors or outdoors. For outdoor projects, Sesame uses corrosion-resistant finishes such as galvanised mild steel or stainless steel, depending on the environment.
Q: What is the power supply requirement for The People’s Lift?
The lift operates on a 240 V single-phase, 16 A supply, making it straightforward to connect to standard domestic electrical circuits.
General power and electrical safety information is available on the What-power-supply-is-required.
Q: How is The People’s Lift operated?
Users typically control the lift via a handheld remote or a simple two-button control station (Up / Down). The system also includes an on/off key switch, emergency stop, and manual lowering function in line with standard Sesame controls.
Q: How often should The People’s Lift be serviced?
Routine servicing is recommended once a year and usually takes about two hours for one engineer.
You can read more about Sesame’s servicing standards and engineer access procedures on the Does-sesame-service-the-lift.
Q: Can The People’s Lift be finished to match my home’s materials?
Yes. The lift can be finished with almost any surface material—such as stone, tile, or paving blocks—up to 30 mm thickness plus 5 mm bedding adhesive.
This ensures the lift platform blends seamlessly with the surrounding entrance area.
Q: What happens if my entrance has more than one step?
If your entrance includes more than one step, Sesame will recommend upgrading to the Wellington Lift, which uses the same engineering principles as The People’s Lift but can handle multiple risers up to 1 metre total travel.