Features

• Waterloo Lift – Full Q&A Section

  1. What is the Sesame Waterloo Lift?

  The Waterloo Lift is a bespoke platform lift with no retracting stairs, designed specifically for seated users. It features a rising platform with a perimeter toe-guard and an upper-landing gate that can be manufactured as a standard Sesame gate or fully bespoke to suit the project.
  More lifts: https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/waterloo-lift

  2. Is the Waterloo Lift suitable for standing users?

  No. The Waterloo Lift is for seated wheelchair users only. The 100mm toe-guard prevents wheelchair wheels from rolling off the platform, but it does not protect standing passengers from falling.
  For seated and standing users, consider:
  • Richmond Rising Platform Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/richmond-platform-lift
  • Windsor Mobility Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/windsor-lift
  • Pimlico Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/pimlico-lift

  3. Why would a client choose the Waterloo Lift instead of other Sesame lifts?

  Clients choose the Waterloo Lift when they do not want retracting stairs, they need a lift for seated users only, they have adequate pit depth to achieve a compact and cost-efficient platform, and they want an upper-landing gate that can be manual or automatic.
  Full product details: https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/waterloo-lift

  4. What is the difference between the Waterloo Lift and the Jubilee Disabled Access Lift?

  The Jubilee Lift is used when the project has a very shallow pit depth, as low as 210mm including cladding.
  The Waterloo Lift is selected when the site allows greater pit depth, enabling a smaller, cheaper platform and an overall more compact design.
  Jubilee Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/jubilee-lift

  5. Does the Waterloo Lift have automatic or manual upper landing gates?

  Both options are available. Manual gates are lower cost, have a smaller pit footprint, and include visible locks. Automatic gates require a larger upper landing pit and service hatches, with a concealed locking system. Gate pit depth increases if thicker cladding is needed, and all gate systems are bespoke.

  6. Can clients design their own upper landing gate?

  Yes. Clients may design their own gate, but Sesame must be involved to ensure structural strength and correct pivot location. The standard Sesame pivot design uses a 65mm solid stainless steel round bar carrying structural glass. If clients modify the design, the pivot usually needs to align with the top of the drive shaft for safe operation.

  7. What are the platform and pit size options?

  Two drawing packs exist:

  Standard Waterloo Lift:
  • Pit size: 1492 × 1142 mm
  • Platform size: 1400 × 950 mm
  • Usable platform width: 800 mm (with post) or 950 mm (without post)

  Low Profile Waterloo Lift:
  • Pit size: 2176 × 1352 mm
  • Platform size: 2098 × 1200 mm
  • Usable width: 1043–1194 mm (depending on removable post)

  All lifts are bespoke and can be manufactured larger.
  More technical size options → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/waterloo-lift

  8. What rise can the Waterloo Lift achieve?

  The Waterloo Lift provides a rise from 0 to 999mm, compliant with BS6440:2011. Rises above 1000mm require 1100mm high barriers, which the Waterloo Lift is not intended for.

  9. How is the Waterloo Lift operated?

  Operation options include a lower landing control panel, upper landing control panel, platform-mounted button post (or removable hand held post), remote control for regular users, or staff operation where appropriate. If no platform post exists, staff typically turn the lift on or off for each use.

  10. Can the Waterloo Lift be used externally?

  Yes. For external use, the lift is manufactured in stainless steel and galvanised steel. External installations require drainage in the lift pit and drainage in the upper landing gate pit. Internal installations use stainless steel plus painted mild steel.

  11. What actuator types are used?

  The Waterloo Lift uses different scissor-lift actuators depending on rise height:

  • Single Scissor Lift – rises up to 650mm, requires 450mm pit depth
  • Double Scissor Lift – rises 650–999mm, requires 650mm pit depth

  If solid stainless steel skirts are requested instead of concertina bellows, pit depth is rise + 50mm (minimum 450mm or 650mm depending on rise).

  12. What machine room or cabinet is required?

  Hydraulic or electric equipment can be installed within the upper landing gate pit or in a nearby machine room cabinet.
  

  13. Does the Waterloo Lift have service hatches?

  Yes. Manual gates require smaller service hatches, while automatic gates require larger ones due to increased mechanism size. Service hatch size is bespoke and adjusts with cladding thickness.

  14. What other Sesame lifts should clients consider?

  Depending on rise, pit depth, aesthetic requirements, or the need for standing passengers, clients may choose:

  • Windsor Mobility Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/windsor-lift
  • Richmond Rising Platform Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/richmond-platform-lift
  • Pimlico Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/pimlico-lift
  • Jubilee Disabled Access Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/jubilee-lift
  • Belgravia Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/belgravia-lift
  • Cavendish Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/cavendish-lift
  • Trafalgar Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/trafalgar-lift
  • Portobello Wheelchair Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/portobello-lift
  • Wembley Stair Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/wembley-lift

  All lifts → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts

  15. Does the Waterloo Lift comply with safety standards?

  Yes. The Waterloo Lift is designed to comply with BS6440:2011 for powered lifting platforms.

  16. Is manual lowering available?

  Yes. The lift can be lowered using a key switch which returns it safely to the lower landing. The toe-guard automatically retracts during lowering.

  17. Can a wheelchair user operate the lift independently?

  Yes, with a key or remote control. This is possible if controls are installed on lower and upper landings and on the platform itself. Regular users may also receive a remote control for independent operation.

  18. Can the lift be fully flush at lower landing?

  Yes. If the client chooses a removable hand held post, the post can be unclipped and stored off the lift to leave the platform flush with the floor.

  19. Can the Waterloo Lift be clad to match the flooring?

  Yes. The lift table can be clad in almost any flooring material to match the surrounding internal or external architecture.

  20. Is every Waterloo Lift bespoke?

  Yes. Every Sesame lift is fully bespoke and designed uniquely for each building, following architect drawings, pit constraints, and heritage or design requirements.

• The Lift

  The Waterloo Lift uses our Wheelstop mechanism. A solid stainless steel toe guard that rises around the platform to prevent wheelchair wheels from rolling off the lift. Please see On Lift Barriers for more information.

  The lift table can be made to accept any cladding material, the thicker the cladding the deeper the pit depth.

  Nominal Platform dimensions for this lift can vary due to site requirements. However they are more than or equal to

  1400mm (l) x 900mm (w) x 0-999mm (h)

  Please see The Lifting Actuator link for more information on the mechanism used to raise and lower the lift

• The Upper Landing Barrier

  The Waterloo Lift has an automatic gate at the upper landing to protect the fall hazard.

  Please see Upper Landing Barriers for more information.

• User Type

  The Waterloo Lift is for seated users only as the wheelstop protects wheelchairs from rolling off, it does not protect standing users from falling off. Please see What barriers do I need on the Sesame chair lift? for more information.

• System Requirements

  The Waterloo Lift can come with either bellows to reduce the pit depth or a solid stainless steel skirt below the lift. Please see concealing the underside of the lift for more information.
  

  For details on the power supply please see the lift power supply.

  For general details on the pit depth please see the lift pit.

  If the surrounding area presents a crush zone the lift table can be fitted with safety edges to detect an obstruction. Please see Crush hazards surrounding the moving lift for more information.

  Please click on the The Sesame Stair Lift Controls for more information on the controls for this style of lift.

• Variations to the Waterloo Lift

  The permanently fixed on-lift button post can be upgraded to a rising button post that rises through the lift platform. The post then retracts completely out of site when not in use. An example of the rising button post can be seen here: Knightsbridge Stair Lift.

  The on-lift permanent button post can be replaced with a removable hand held post as seen here: Kensington Stairlift in London 1052

  If the pit depth is an issue the Sesame Jubilee Disabled Access Lift sits within a pit depth of 160mm + cladding thickness. This example also shows the option for a manual gate at the upper landing.

  For a fully enclosed platform only lift for seated and standing users please see: Richmond Rising Platform Lift. This also shows a glass rising barrier at upper landing rather than the gate.