Product Definition & Core Features
Q: What is the Buckingham listed building lift?
A: The Buckingham is a vertical retracting stair lift with a solid panel rising barrier at the upper landing. Unlike horizontal retracting stair systems, the stairs lower vertically into a space below the treads, creating a wheelchair-accessible platform. This design is ideal for listed buildings and historic properties where space behind the staircase is limited.
Q: How does the Buckingham differ from the Wellington lift?
A: Both use vertical retracting stair technology, but the Buckingham includes an upper landing solid rising barrier for rises above 500mm, while the Wellington is designed for rises under 500mm and typically doesn't require an upper landing barrier. The Buckingham complies with BS6440:2011 requirements for barrier protection on rises exceeding 500mm.
Q: Why choose vertical retracting stairs over horizontal retracting stairs?
A: Vertical retracting stairs like the Buckingham are ideal when you don't have the space required for horizontal retracting systems (typically 1.2 metres behind the top step). The stairs drop vertically into a pit below rather than retracting horizontally underneath the upper landing, making them perfect for constrained historic building layouts.
Rise Height & Capacity
Q: What rise heights can the Buckingham accommodate?
A: The Buckingham is designed for a rise up 999mm. For rises below 500mm, the Wellington lift (without upper landing barrier) is typically more appropriate. For rises over 1 metre, you would need the Seattle or Westminster lifts with full-height platform barriers for standing and seated users.
Q: Why is the Buckingham limited to 999mm rise height?
A: British Standard BS6440:2011 requires rises under 1 metre for seated-user-only lifts with 100mm toe guards. Above 1 metre, you need 1100mm high barriers around the platform for both seated and standing users, which would require switching to products like the Westminster or Seattle lifts.
Q: What is the safe working load of the Buckingham lift?
A: The Buckingham uses a 2-tonne capacity scissor lift mechanism but is rated to a safe working load of 350kg in accordance with BS6440:2011. This heavy-duty scissor lift provides superior rigidity, reliability, and smooth operation with guidance wheels and tracks.
Pit Depth Requirements
Q: What is the minimum pit depth required below the lower landing?
A: For rises up to 620mm, the minimum pit depth is 770mm (including 30mm cladding thickness). For any rise above 620mm, add the excess rise directly to this pit depth. For example, a 650mm rise requires 770mm + 30mm = 800mm pit depth, and a 999mm rise requires 770mm + 379mm = 1149mm pit depth.
Q: How is the Buckingham pit depth calculated?
A: Base pit depth: 770mm (for rises up to 620mm, with 30mm cladding) Formula for rises above 620mm: 770mm + (Total Rise - 620mm) = Minimum Pit Depth
Example calculations:
- 650mm rise: 770 + 30 = 800mm pit depth
- 750mm rise: 770 + 130 = 900mm pit depth
- 999mm rise: 770 + 379 = 1149mm pit depth
Q: Why is the Buckingham pit depth deeper than horizontal retracting stair systems?
A: Vertical retracting mechanisms require the stair assembly to drop down and sit on top of the standard lifting mechanism and wheel stop system. This creates a deeper pit requirement compared to horizontal retracting stairs, where the mechanism sits differently within the pit structure.
Q: Can the pit depth be reduced with special design?
A: While special design options may be explored with our project managers, the standard pit depth calculations represent the most cost-effective and reliable solution. Reducing pit depth typically increases costs and complexity significantly.
Upper Landing Barrier Requirements
Q: What space is required above the upper landing for the rising barrier?
A: The minimum distance from the top step riser to the back of the rising barrier pit is 600mm, though this makes maintenance access difficult. We typically recommend 900mm to allow comfortable engineer access through the service hatch at the upper landing.
Q: Why does the Buckingham use a solid panel barrier instead of an open goalpost design?
A: The solid panel barrier allows the Buckingham to comply fully with BS6440:2011, which requires solid, non-perforated barriers at upper landings for rises exceeding 500mm. This contrasts with the Mayfair's open goalpost barrier, which must be certified under Machinery Directive Annex VIII instead.
Q: How is the upper landing barrier maintained?
A: Engineers access the rising barrier mechanism through a removable service hatch at the upper landing, clad in the same material as the surrounding floor finish with discreet 3mm trim protection. In installations with basement access below, maintenance can also be performed from underneath, potentially eliminating the need for upper landing access.
Q: How far must the barrier be from the top step riser?
A: The solid barrier sits 100mm from the top step riser, as required by BS6440:2011. This gap is deemed small enough to prevent people from standing between the retracting stairs and the rising barrier during operation.
Platform Dimensions & Configuration
Q: What are the platform length dimensions?
A: The minimum platform length is approximately 1409mm to provide the required 1400mm usable space for wheelchair access per BS6440:2011. The exact length depends on the number of steps—fewer steps require more flat platform space in front of the bottom step riser to achieve the 1400mm minimum.
Q: What platform widths are available?
A: The minimum usable width is 800mm per BS6440:2011 for straight-route wheelchair access in the UK. However, we typically recommend wider platforms (900-1000mm) to accommodate larger electric wheelchairs with gas bottles and other accessories. In Scotland and Ireland, regulations require 1100mm minimum usable width.
Q: Can the platform width be customized?
A: Yes, platform width can be adjusted based on staircase layout and user requirements. The system can be narrowed for tight listed building staircases or widened to accommodate larger mobility equipment, though each affects the pit width requirements accordingly.
Q: What control options are available on the platform?
A: Option 1 - Side-mounted button station: Permanently fixed to the lift side, integrated with handrails, allowing independent control with buttons at both upper and lower landings plus on the platform itself.
Option 2 - Removable handheld post: A post for stability that removes and stores in a cupboard when not in use. Requires users to have remote control for platform operation. The post provides grip but has no buttons.
Safety Features & Compliance
Q: What safety systems protect users during operation?
A: The Buckingham includes multiple safety systems: 100mm toe guard protecting wheelchair wheels; locking mechanisms securing stairs in position; safety detection preventing platform lowering if stairs aren't properly seated; emergency stop circuits detecting debris or obstructions; sensitive edges on the rising barrier with <150 Newton force limits; and guided tracks with wheels for smooth, controlled movement.
Q: Can tape switches or safety edges be installed on the Buckingham?
A: No, safety edges cannot be installed on the vertical retracting stair treads as they would be visible during daily use and vulnerable to damage. If handrails present crush hazards within 10-100mm of the lift, light sensors can be installed at the top (best for internal use) or you should consider switching to horizontal retracting stairs like the Mayfair, which can accommodate tape switches when stairs are retracted.
Q: What are the crush hazard requirements for the Buckingham?
A: BS6440:2011 requires plumb, flush surfaces (like glass handrails) to be either less than 10mm or more than 100mm from the moving lift. Surfaces between 10-100mm away create crush hazards. Handrails 300mm+ from the lift present no issue. For closer handrails, consider horizontal retracting stairs or install overhead light sensors to detect obstructions.
Q: Does the Buckingham comply with British Standards?
A: Yes, the Buckingham fully complies with BS6440:2011 because it uses a solid panel rising barrier at the upper landing. This allows UKCA certification, unlike open goalpost barriers (as used in the Mayfair) which require Machinery Directive Annex VIII certification instead.
Q: Is the Buckingham suitable for independent use or does it require staff operation?
A: The Buckingham can be configured for independent use when equipped with the side-mounted button station, allowing trained wheelchair users to operate it with their own key or access control. With the removable handheld post option, users need a remote control. The lift must be switched off when not in use as a safety measure for seated-user-only systems.
Installation & Space Requirements
Q: What information do you need to specify a Buckingham lift?
A: We require: total rise; number of steps with individual riser heights and tread depths; available pit depth below lower landing; available space above upper landing (minimum 600mm, ideally 900mm); cladding material types and thicknesses for upper landing, risers, treads, and lower landing; internal or external installation; handrail positions relative to the lift; and surrounding structural details.
Q: Is space required behind the top step riser?
A: Typically no—the Buckingham can sit directly in front of the existing top step riser. However, we recommend a minimum 60mm allowance behind the top step for framework installation and pit trim finishing within the 25mm installation tolerances, creating a neat appearance.
Q: Can the Buckingham be installed in external locations?
A: Yes, the Buckingham can be installed externally. External installations use galvanised mild steel instead of painted mild steel, and 316-grade stainless steel instead of 304-grade for coastal/marine environments. External pits require appropriate drainage solutions—either gravity drainage to a local drain or a sump pump system.
Q: Why is the Buckingham ideal for listed buildings?
A: The vertical retracting design requires minimal space behind the staircase, making it perfect for historic buildings with spatial constraints. When stairs are in position, the lift is virtually invisible, preserving the historic aesthetic. This discrete integration has helped Sesame achieve planning approval in sensitive heritage contexts where other solutions were rejected.
Maintenance & Operation
Q: How is the Buckingham lift maintained?
A: With the lift in the raised position, engineers remove front skirt panels, install safety bars underneath, and engage emergency stop features before climbing under the lift. Two people are required for safety—one maintaining, one overseeing. The upper landing rising barrier is accessed through the removable service hatch, or from basement level if available.
Q: What happens if there's a power failure while someone is on the lift?
A: A 24-volt battery backup system allows emergency lowering. Turn the emergency key switch to open a valve and lower the lift to the lower landing so users can exit safely. Returning the lift to stair mode after a complete power failure requires a UPS battery backup system, like all Sesame lifts.
Q: Should the Buckingham be used for fire evacuation?
A: No, like all platform lifts, the Buckingham should not be used for fire evacuation as it's not within a fire-rated concrete shaft. Building management should switch the lift to stair mode during fire alarms, and evacuation chairs should be used to move wheelchair users out of the building.
Q: How often does the Buckingham require servicing?
A: All lifting equipment including the Buckingham should be serviced every six months by qualified engineers to maintain safe operation and comply with insurance requirements.
Aesthetic Options & Finishes
Q: What are the visible stud blocks on the stair treads?
A: Four round studs (1-inch diameter) appear on each tread—brass, stainless steel, or powder-coated to match. These allow maintenance crews to remove individual steps for servicing from above or below. They're a distinctive feature of vertical retracting stair systems; horizontal retracting stairs don't require them. If these studs are aesthetically unacceptable, consider horizontal retracting stair options instead.
Q: Can the Buckingham be customized with different finishes?
A: Yes, extensive customization is available at additional cost: stainless steel elements can be powder-coated or electroplated; the rising barrier can be anodized or colour-matched; the top edge of the barrier can be brass, bronze, or custom finishes; visible top trims when the lift is at rest can be coated (less expensive than coating the entire lift); and cladding can be stone, tile, timber, or other materials matching the existing staircase.
Q: What cladding materials can be used on the stairs?
A: Any cladding material can be used on the treads and risers to match the existing staircase—stone, tile, timber, etc. We accommodate various cladding thicknesses and use PU18 flexible adhesive (5mm) to bond materials to the stainless steel structure, allowing for thermal expansion and contraction. The standard pit depth calculations assume 30mm stone cladding.
Q: What does the Buckingham look like when not in use?
A: When in stair mode, the Buckingham is virtually invisible. Only discreet 3mm trim profiles are visible around the top landing service hatch and the lower landing pit trim. The stairs match the existing staircase cladding, preserving the historic character—which is why planning applications are consistently approved.
Cost & Comparison
Q: How does the Buckingham compare in price to other Sesame products?
A: The Buckingham is priced similarly to the Mayfair (horizontal retracting stairs with rising barrier). Both are more expensive than the Wellington (vertical, no barrier) or Kensington (horizontal, no barrier) due to the additional upper landing barrier mechanism. The Seattle (vertical with full enclosure) is more expensive than the Westminster (horizontal with full enclosure).
Q: When would you choose the Buckingham over the Mayfair?
A: Choose the Buckingham when you don't have the horizontal space required behind the stairs (typically 1.2 metres) or when handrails present crush hazards that can't accommodate tape switches. The Buckingham also offers full BS6440:2011 compliance with its solid barrier, whereas the Mayfair's goalpost barrier requires Machinery Directive Annex 8 certification.
Q: What factors increase the cost of a Buckingham installation?
A: Costs increase with: higher rises requiring longer mechanisms; custom finishes beyond standard brushed stainless steel; reduced pit depths requiring special design; external installations requiring galvanization and marine-grade stainless; light sensors for crush hazard mitigation; custom cladding materials; and complex structural integration in sensitive listed buildings.
Technical Specifications
Q: What scissor lift mechanism does the Buckingham use?
A: The Buckingham uses a 2-tonne capacity single scissor lift (rated to 350kg safe working load per BS6440:2011), providing exceptional rigidity and reliability. The lift is guided up and down with precision guidance wheels and tracks, ensuring smooth, comfortable movement for users.
Q: What hydraulic specifications does the Buckingham use?
A: The Buckingham uses the same hydraulic specifications as other Sesame platform lifts, detailed in our Machine Room Cabinet technical page. Specifications vary based on scissor lift configuration (single vs. double, standard vs. low-profile) but typically include 1.1kW motor with appropriate displacement, flow rate, and hydraulic oil tank capacity.
Q: What is the operating mechanism for vertical retracting stairs?
A: A hydraulic scissor lift raises and lowers the stair assembly. A locking mechanism secures the stairs in position when in stair mode. When activated, the lock releases, allowing the stairs to lower and level onto the platform. Safety sensors ensure stairs are properly seated on the platform before lowering begins, preventing any unlevel conditions.
Q: What power supply does the Buckingham require?
A: The Buckingham requires a single-phase 230V AC power supply with appropriate amp breaker (typically 16A, consult Machine Room Cabinet specifications). A 24V battery backup system provides emergency lowering capability. For full functionality during power failures, a building UPS system is recommended.
Related Products & Alternatives
Q: What other Sesame products use vertical retracting stair technology?
A: Sesame offers several vertical retracting stair systems:
- Wellington: No upper landing barrier (rises <500mm)
- Buckingham: Solid upper landing barrier (up to 999mm)
- Victoria: Manual or automatic gate instead of rising barrier
- Edinburgh: Large upper landing drops with stairs
- Seattle: Full platform enclosure with handrails (1100mm high barriers)
- London Access: Different mechanism with integrated handrails
- Marylebone: Bottom step rises independently
- People's Lift: Single-step platform lift
Each is optimized for specific spatial constraints, rise heights, and building requirements.
Q: When would you choose the Victoria over the Buckingham?
A: Choose the Victoria when you don't have the 600-900mm space above the upper landing required for the Buckingham's rising barrier mechanism. The Victoria uses the same vertical retracting stair mechanism but has a manual or automatic gate instead of a rising barrier, requiring less overhead space.
Q: What is the Edinburgh lift and when would you use it?
A: The Edinburgh is for situations where a large upper landing area needs to drop vertically along with the stairs. This is useful when you need maintained walk space or fire escape routes below the upper landing (like Westminster pavement bridges over basement "moat" areas). It comes in shallow-pit and standard-pit depth variants.
Planning & Approvals
Q: Has a Buckingham installation ever been rejected for planning permission?
A: No, Sesame has not had a planning application rejected for the Buckingham or other vertical/horizontal retracting stair systems. The discrete integration—where the lift is virtually invisible in stair mode—preserves the historic character of listed buildings, making it acceptable to conservation officers and planning authorities.
Q: What makes the Buckingham suitable for listed building applications?
A: The Buckingham preserves historic staircases by: being virtually invisible when in stair mode; requiring minimal structural intervention (space in front of top step riser only); allowing original cladding materials to be matched precisely; maintaining the visual appearance of the historic stair; and requiring minimal space compared to conventional platform lifts, making it ideal for constrained heritage environments.
Design Support & Consultation
Q: How do I get drawings and pricing for a Buckingham lift?
A: Contact Sesame to arrange a Microsoft Teams consultation with our project managers. Provide the technical information listed above (rise, steps, pit depths, cladding, etc.), and we'll help you select the optimal product configuration and provide site-specific drawings and budget pricing for your project.
Q: What drawings are available for the Buckingham?
A: Sesame provides a standard Buckingham Listed Building Lift drawing pack showing typical configurations, pit dimensions, platform sizes, and rising barrier details. For actual projects, we produce bespoke site-specific drawings based on your exact staircase dimensions, structural constraints, and finish requirements.
Q: Can Sesame help with planning applications?
A: Yes, our site-specific drawings are designed for inclusion in planning applications. We provide detailed technical drawings showing the lift integration with the existing building structure, and can support your team with technical documentation. Our track record of planning approvals in sensitive listed buildings demonstrates the acceptability of our designs.
Emergency Procedures
Q: What emergency controls does the Buckingham have?
A: The Buckingham includes: emergency stop buttons for maintenance personnel; emergency lift lowering key switch (lowers platform to lower landing via battery backup); emergency barrier lowering key switch (lowers upper landing barrier manually); and safety bar system for engineer protection during maintenance beneath the raised lift.