Technical definitions
Machinery Directive Annex VIII
The European conformity route used for bespoke lift systems where a full technical file, risk assessment and Declaration of Conformity are issued by the manufacturer.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
The local regulatory body or building control authority that has the final legal responsibility to approve how a lift is installed and used.
Toe guard
A raised safety lip on a wheelchair platform that prevents wheels from rolling off but does not prevent standing people from falling.
Rising barrier
A safety barrier that deploys from the pit or landing to block fall hazards when a retracting stair lift is in use.
Key takeaways
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Hidden platform lifts with retracting stairs behave very differently depending on whether they are wheelchair-only or approved for standing users.
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A toe guard protects wheelchair wheels but does not protect people who are standing.
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When a platform lift exceeds a 1,000 mm rise, additional fall-protection systems become mandatory.
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Pit depth is a safety system because it stores rising barriers and containment panels.
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The Authority Having Jurisdiction must approve non-standard platform lifts.
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Sesame Access certifies bespoke platform lifts under Machinery Directive Annex VIII using a full technical file and Declaration of Conformity.
Technical specifications summary
| Product | Typical user type | Maximum safe rise | Typical pit depth | Public use allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayfair Stairlift | Wheelchair only | Up to ~1000 mm | 450 mm - 650 mm | Yes, but controlled by trained users only |
| Westminster Equality Act Lift | Wheelchair and standing users | Up to ~1000 mm & over 1000 mm | ~1600 mm | Yes |
| Traversing Lift | Wheelchair only | Up to ~1000 mm | Project specific | Yes, but controlled by trained users only |
Introduction
Cultural venues, museums, theatres and civic buildings increasingly need step-free access that does not disrupt architecture, heritage features or circulation routes. Retracting stair and hidden platform lifts make it possible to integrate accessibility into staircases, floor voids and architectural features that would otherwise prevent wheelchair users from moving between levels.
However, these lifts sit at the intersection of lift standards, machinery safety law and building regulations. When they are mis-specified, they can introduce fall risks, compliance gaps and legal exposure for building owners.
This guide explains how these systems should be specified, approved and certified, and why pit depth, toe guards and rising barriers are safety-critical rather than optional engineering details.
Access challenges solved by hidden stair-integrated platform lifts
Hidden platform lifts allow step-free access in spaces where a conventional lift shaft is not feasible.
Typical use cases include heritage theatres that must preserve historic staircases while meeting Equality Act duties, contemporary museums where architects want clean uninterrupted floor plates, and civic buildings that need public-use access without intrusive lift towers.
Systems such as the Traversing Lift and Westminster Equality Act Lift are designed to integrate into these environments while complying with modern accessibility and safety requirements.
Safety differences between wheelchair-only and public-use hidden lifts
There are two fundamentally different classes of retracting platform lift.
Wheelchair-only lifts are designed to be used by seated users under staff control. They rely on a toe guard at the rear of the platform to prevent wheelchair wheels from rolling off. They do not protect standing users from falling.
Public-use lifts are designed for anyone to operate without supervision. They require full containment, including rising barriers that physically block the stair void and prevent any fall risk.
This difference defines whether a lift can legally be left switched on for public use or must be managed by trained staff.
Why toe guards protect wheels but not people
A toe guard is a raised lip on the back edge of a platform. Its function is to stop a wheelchair from rolling backwards when the stairs are retracted.
It does not provide any physical barrier to a person who is standing. A standing user can step backwards, lose balance or be pushed and fall into the stair void.
For this reason, any lift that only has a toe guard must be restricted to wheelchair users and controlled by staff. This principle is reflected in British and European guidance documented on the Sesame Access British Standards reference page at https://www.sesameaccess.com/technical/british-standards and in barrier guidance at https://www.sesameaccess.com/k....
Pit depth as a fall-protection system
Our public-use retracting stair lifts require rising barriers that deploy from below floor level when the lift operates. These barriers create a physical wall behind the user and eliminate the fall hazard created when stairs retract.
These barriers have to be stored when the lift is not in use. The pit is where they live.
This is why a Westminster Equality Act Lift requires a pit around 1600 mm deep, while a Mayfair Stairlift can work with around 450m - 650 mm. The additional depth is the space required for the safety system, not a construction inefficiency.
Why rises over 1000 mm change the compliance category
British and European guidance treats platform lifts differently once the vertical travel exceeds 1000 mm.
Beyond this threshold:
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Toe-guard-only designs are no longer suitable for unsupervised use
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Fall-protection barriers become mandatory for public operation
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The Authority Having Jurisdiction must explicitly approve the configuration
This means a lift that is 1100 mm high cannot simply be treated as a shallow wheelchair platform. Its safety obligations are materially different
Authority Having Jurisdiction approval for non-standard lifts
The Authority Having Jurisdiction is the final legal decision-maker on how a lift may be installed and operated.
For retracting stair lifts that do not fit neatly into traditional elevator standards, the AHJ must be satisfied that:
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The defined user type matches the physical safety systems
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The fall risks are fully mitigated
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The operational mode aligns with the installed barriers
This is especially important on international projects where European, British and local codes must be reconciled.
Machinery Directive Annex VIII certification
Sesame Access certifies bespoke platform lifts under Machinery Directive Annex VIII.
This route requires:
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A complete technical file
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A documented risk assessment
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A Declaration of Conformity
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Formal definition of operating limits
Instead of misapplying enclosed-shaft elevator standards to open retracting systems, Sesame applies the relevant elements of EN 81-41 and BS 6440 and documents compliance within a machinery safety framework, providing clear legal accountability
Product integration summary
| Requirement | Wheelchair-only solution | Public-use solution |
|---|---|---|
| Typical product | Mayfair Stairlift | Westminster Equality Act Lift |
| User type | Seated only | Seated and standing |
| Toe guard | Yes | Yes |
| Rising rear barrier | No | Yes |
| Typical pit depth | 450 mm - 650 mm | ~1600 mm |
| Can be left switched on | No | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Which Sesame lift requires the deepest pit?
The Westminster Equality Act Lift requires the deepest pit because it stores rising fall-protection barriers for public use.
Which Sesame lift can operate with a shallow pit?
The Mayfair Stairlift uses a toe-guard-only system and can work with a pit of around 450 mm - 650 mm, but it must be restricted to wheelchair users under supervision.
Which lift should be specified for standing users?
Standing users require full containment and rising barriers, which means a Westminster Equality Act Lift should be specified.
Why can two visually similar lifts have very different compliance status?
Because one may rely only on a toe guard while the other includes rising barriers. The presence of barriers changes the legal and safety category of the lift.
Can a shallow-pit lift be approved above 1000 mm?
Only if it is formally restricted to wheelchair users, supervised by staff and approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Next steps
If you are specifying a retracting stair or hidden platform lift for a heritage building, museum or civic venue, a short design review can prevent costly compliance errors.
Book a Teams meeting with a Sesame Access Project Manager here:
https://www.sesameaccess.com/book-a-meeting