What Is A DDA Lift

Accessibility is a vital aspect of building design that has often been overlooked in the past, but DDA lift requirements have improved the situation. A DDA-compliant lift is designed and operates in line with the DDA regulations; and serves to make buildings more accessible to everyone, regardless of their degree of mobility.

For a lift to be fully DDA-compliant, it must be designed and constructed in accordance with certain requirements such as specific design features, dimensions, functions, and so on. To make public spaces more easily accessible to everyone, regardless of their mobility, Sesame Access Systems can help plan, design, prepare, and install a lift that can accommodate a range of needs.

The Disability Discrimination Act

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) was an Act of the Parliament in the United Kingdom, a civil rights law making it unlawful to discriminate against people with disabilities in terms of employment, education, transport, and the provision of goods and services.

The DDA was in force from 1996 to 2010, prior to which there was no such legislation in place to guarantee equal opportunities for people with disabilities. While there were attempts to require businesses with over 250 employees to employ a certain number of people with disabilities, this was never fully enforced.

In 2010, the DDA was repealed and replaced with the Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland, and Wales. In Northern Ireland, the DDA remains in force.

There are many similarities between the DDA and the Equality Act, but a few differences as well. The DDA made provisions specifically for the disabled, and that included requirements for DDA access lifts. The Equality Act, meanwhile, focuses more on equal opportunities for everyone in terms of their employment, education, buying or renting of any property, and access to services, goods, facilities, various activities, and associations.

However, many still colloquially refer to the new law as the DDA.

Compliance Requirements

By the same token, lifts that are accessible to all may still be informally called DDA lifts, but they must now conform to the requirements, regulations, and specifications set by the Equality Act. To be compliant with the legislation, they must be accessible to everyone regardless of whether they’re ambulant or have any sort of condition that affects their mobility. This includes people who use wheelchairs.

What requirements, therefore, should DDA lifts abide by? These requirements mostly involve the dimensions, appearance, and features of a lift. These include:

• Automatic lift doors that are at least 800 mm wide;
• Doors or access points clearly distinguishable from the wall and surroundings;
• Level entry or access, or ramp;
• Two to 20 seconds of door-dwell time;
• A handrail on at least one wall or side of the lift, situated about 900 mm from the floor;
• Push buttons with minimum sizes, easily distinguishable from their faceplate;
• Vertically arranged push buttons;
• Push buttons and the corners of adjacent walls should have a minimum distance of 500 mm;
• Visual and audible confirmation that the push button has been effectively engaged;
• Sufficient lighting in the lift and in lift landings;
• Emergency communication system within the lift itself; and
• Confirmation that the lift has reached the landing

A lift that is compliant with the DDA must have all these features and more. If you would like to install a lift with DDA-compliant features and specifications, you can work with Sesame Access Systems to ensure you get exactly what you need. We have over 20 years of experience in building and installing wheelchair-accessible lifts for a wide variety of spaces and facilities.

Design, Installation, and Maintenance

We work closely with our clients to plan, design, and install lifts that will enhance the accessibility of their buildings. Every lift we install is tailored to the needs of our clients, and their own clients, as well as the physical features and dimensions of their property.

Our prices, therefore, are tailor-made as well. The cost of your lift will depend on several factors, such as the style of the lift, how high it has to go, its pit depth, who is meant to use the lift, and so on. You can view our product catalogue to see the styles and kinds of lifts that we can build for our clients.

From start to finish, the entire process can take six to seven months. The design stage can take up to eight weeks, then we allow another 10 weeks for the manufacture of the parts we’ll need, and another nine weeks for assembly and quality control.

The remaining two weeks are dedicated to the actual installation of the lift, and we also allow a week in between each stage for extenuating circumstances. However, we can also make specific arrangements if you need to have the lift installed within a shorter time period.

Our DDA regulation lifts are guaranteed a long and useful life and will remain fully operational as long as they are well-maintained. In fact, the first lift we installed back in 1997 is still working exceptionally well to this day. That’s the quality, craftsmanship, and durability you can expect from the lifts we build.

We offer a one-year warranty for all the lifts we install. For full DDA lift compliance, we service the lifts we manufacture every six months. For continuity, we aim to ensure that the engineers who installed your lift are the same ones who will oversee its maintenance and servicing.

Additionally, we offer service packages that include onsite assistance, telephone support, and email support. Standard Service includes two routine maintenance visits per year, Enhanced Service includes three visits per year, and Total Service includes four visits per year.

Getting Started

A DDA-compliant platform lift can provide everyone, regardless of ability, access to your property. It can also ensure a residential property is more useable and comfortable for every member of a household. We at Sesame Access Systems are a trusted and reputable supplier of DDA lifts, and will ensure that your specifications and needs are met in every respect.

Our lifts are built to last and designed for the comfort, safety, and accessibility for all.

Contact us to schedule a consultation so we can begin designing the perfect lift for your space with the best stairlifts prices. You can call us on 01784 440088, or you can fill in the contact form found here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why was the DDA introduced?

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) implemented new laws that aimed to end the discrimination, unwitting or otherwise, that disabled people experience. The act gave disabled individuals throughout the UK new rights of access to services, goods, employment, education, transport, accommodation, and more.

What is the minimum size of a lift?

Legally speaking, DDA-compliant lift car dimensions are 0.95 metres x 1.25 metres, which can accommodate a single wheelchair passenger. As for the width of the entrance and the lift itself, that should be at least 0.75 metres. Cabs that are smaller than this must be replaced.

What difference did DDA make?

The DDA required buildings be made more accessible for disabled people by, for example, having a wheelchair lift service installed. The “requirement” was amended in 2005 to “duty”, and in 2007, the wording was strengthened even further to require all public buildings in the UK to guarantee equal access for users to all services.

How often should a lift be serviced?

On average, lifts should be professionally maintained at least once a year. This ensures that the lift will continue to operate safely and smoothly throughout its lifespan and lessen the risk of unexpected repairs and breakdowns. Your lift installer should be able to do this for you.

How long does it take to complete a lift installation?

Each property will have different requirements, and these may affect the time it takes for a disabled stair lift installation to be completed. Generally, it will take us around six to seven months to set up your lift. Additionally, we aim to ensure that the installation is carried out with as little disruption to your business or home as possible.

Is the lift shaft structure made of aluminium?

The materials you choose for your lift are up to you. Aluminium lift shafts are available, but often, platform lifts need a shaft structure made of painted mild steel.

What is the life expectancy of a platform lift?

Life expectancy of any lift, whether a platform lift or a stair lift machine, really depends on how often it is serviced and how it is used. Its location and type are also important factors to consider. When you work with us, however, you can rest assured that your lift will stand the test of time. Lifts that we installed over 20 years ago are still functioning perfectly to this day.

What size openings are needed on each landing of a platform lift?

The full width opening size at the front needs to match the measurements indicated on the site-specific drawing. The openings should be 2,240 mm high from finished floor level at lower levels and at least 2,350 mm at the upper level.

How will the lift be attached to each landing?

It is important that the landings are level and offer a firm fixing point, which is usually made of timber, for the bottom door frame. Some lifts utilise a series of L brackets and support hoops to secure the lift.

Do you need permission for a lift?

Planning permission is typically required for any lift installation, so it’s preferable that the Local Authority is involved at an early stage. This is even more the case if the lift shaft will be built as an external add-on to a building, or if the building is Listed.

Guide To DDA Access Lifts

• Part M. This states that the required way to give disabled access is by means of a passenger lift, particularly in new developments. If installation of such a lift isn’t possible on a new or existing building there must be an access statement submitted explaining why such a deviation from best practice is essential.
• British Standard or BS 8300. This was updated in 2017 and is now separated into two parts. The original version of BS 8300 gave advice on designing lifts specifically for disabled individuals. The new BS 8300-2 provides design guidelines that are inclusive to everyone.
• Other standards. Changes to BS EN81-20 and EN81-50 for the design and manufacture of lifts came into effect in August 2017. Architects must bear in mind these new standards for the size requirements of lifts. On average, the upright position must be 0.4m x 0.5m in horizontal dimensions with a height of 2m.

Benefits Of DDA-Compliant Lifts

Below are some of the benefits that DDA platform lifts can offer:

• Flexibility. A platform lift can easily fit into any modern or more traditional building. They are designed to suit any environment, so you can rest assured that building owners should be able to easily incorporate them to offer accessibility to all.
• Safety. All four corners of a platform lift are secured and the four lifting motors are synchronised to ensure the platform is stable and the ascent or descent is smooth.

Things You Should Know About Lifts Before Getting One Installed

Here are some things to keep in mind when getting a DDA platform lift installed:

• There should be fire safety objectives for the use of lifts for disabled people.
• The building design must be reviewed, including the occupant characterisation, fire safety management, and building characterisation and environs.
• Consider adding additional safety precautions, such as CCTV systems, management procedures, protected lobbies, and more.
• Take the time to understand the evacuation scenarios during emergencies, including the occupancy levels, training, mobility of occupants, and so forth.

Advantages Of Electric Wheelchair Lifts

Are you wondering about the benefits that an electric wheelchair platform lift has to offer?

Below are just some great perks.

• Ease of use. An electric wheelchair lift is very easy to use and provides accessibility with convenience to people with mobility issues.
• Independence. The modern wheelchair elevator lets people with restricted mobility move freely around a building with independence. These lifts serve as an effective solution to the issues that disabled people face every day.
• Flexibility. If necessary, electric wheelchair lifts may be used for various purposes aside from mobility. For instance, a lift can be used to transport heavy goods more easily around a building.

Value Of Platform Lifts In Homes

Platform lifts can be a welcome addition to a home. With the UK’s ageing population,

Investing in a lift ensures elderly residents whose mobility is restricted can still fully access all floors their home, enhancing their independence and the likelihood of them being able to live in their own home, rather than enter a care setting, for longer.

Having a lift installed can do wonders for a house’s value as well. According to studies, platform lifts could increase a property’s value by as much as 25%!

And in terms of public buildings, bear in mind that DDA lifts are not just a desirable feature – very often, they’re a legal obligation. Whether you are looking for a lift for a residential, a commercial or a public building, you can find a wide range of styles and designs to choose from here at Sesame Access Systems.

Browse our selection today.

Make Your Building More Accessible with a Sesame Access Systems DDA Lift

Are you an architect or owner of a listed or iconic building? Do you want to improve the accessibility of your building for people with disabilities? At Sesame Access Systems, we want to help you. Our talented engineers can create a bespoke wheelchair DDA lift in our Surrey-based workshop, designed specifically for your needs.

The integration process of the lift into your property is seamless and can be tailored to your needs. Our lifts can be installed easily into any staircase, improving the accessibility of your building for people with disabilities.

Sesame Access Systems creates quality products backed up with excellent customer service, and we're confident that our stairlifts will help you achieve your goals, as well as improve the usability of your property.

Installing a DDA Lift? Let the Experts Handle It!

• Expertise: With over 20 years of experience, we know how to deliver bespoke wheelchair lifts that meet the needs of our clients.
• Compliance: Our products are fully compliant with British Standards BS 6440:2011 and CE-marked, meaning you can be sure you're getting a quality product.
• Manufacturing: We are proud that all our products are manufactured and engineered in the UK. We are Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) compliant.
• Award-winning lifts: Our products received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation 2016.
• Best choice: Our lifts are installed in more than 200 buildings across the world, showing how much our customers love our products and trust our services.
• Accredited and certified: Our products are certified by the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS).
• Experienced and qualified project managers: Our project managers hold the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) accreditation and are qualified first aiders, meaning we can provide expert assistance if needed.
• Tailored to the client’s needs: Our pricing is transparent and customised according to your requirements.
• Best quality: We offer the best quality without compromising on costs.
• Easy to use: The product selector feature on our website makes it easy for users to shop and search for the right product.
• Reduced VAT rates: We offer zero-rated VAT lifts for users who are terminally ill, physically or mentally impaired, or have a chronic disease. Also, we offer a lower VAT rate of 5% for users who are aged 60 years and above but have no chronic disease.

Customer service that goes above and beyond!

Sesame Access Systems is built on a foundation of providing the best customer service.

We work closely with all our clients to help you find the best solution based on your needs and budget, and we're committed to providing outstanding support in every aspect of our business.

We offer a one-year warranty for every Sesame lift, including one standard service six months after installation. Our goal is to ensure your lift will last as long as possible!

Our staff provides helpful advice/support related to wheelchair DDA lift maintenance in the form of 3 service agreement levels: standard, enhanced, and total. These options allow you to choose how much support you need from us - whether it's just an annual routine maintenance visit or more frequent check-ins, we'll be there for you!

Onsite assistance can be guaranteed within 72 hours during the business week. And don't worry about getting stuck with a complicated piece of equipment - we make sure that every person who comes into contact with our lifts understands how the product works, providing quick answers when necessary.

And finally, we offer prompt telephone and email support responses plus 24/7 live chat so that no matter what time of day or night it is, someone will be there to answer any questions.

See what our happy customers have to say about us!

"The fabulous Sesame lift with the receding stairs was definitely a big deciding factor for our venue choice. Arriving at your venue, on your wedding day, is such an important moment and needs to make you feel special, glamourous and equal. This is definitely not a moment when a bride wants to worry about poor access. My husband and I loved that One Great George Street not only had an accessible main entrance, but also one that is stylish and has a touch of magic to it, as the stairs miraculously disappear and reveal the lift. Perfect for our fairy-tale day"!

- Nina Muehlemann

''I love the Sesame lift concept! I had the pleasure of using it recently and what a difference it made to my experience of attending a meeting at a venue in Central London! Like all other attendees, I entered through the front door, thanks to the fact that the lift is hidden in the main entrance steps. Finally, no need to factor in time (and humiliation) for being escorted through often convoluted routes that more often than not take in the bins areas and other things buildings normally keep hidden from the public and which no other guests would ever be expected to see! I hope this is going to be a game changer and that for Disabled people, being expected to access buildings via grubby back entrances will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to this amazing technological access solution”!

- Isabelle Clement

“Sesame lifts are a stylish way of getting into and out of buildings without a fuss. When someone has to wheel out a dusty old ramp from the store cupboard to get me into a building, it's just awful and such an effort. Sesame lifts are a much more elegant way of enabling me to glide into buildings when I am out and about with my friends and colleagues. I applaud Sesame lift's innovation and style”.

- Fiona Jarvis - CEO Blue Badge Style

“The lifts from Sesame Access make entering a building an enjoyable experience rather than a struggling one. When using their lifts I feel like I am not disrupting the entrance with alternative ways, but rather adding to the building's beauty while entering”.

- Alex Vasquez - Online Content Creator for human rights

“Sesame Access has revolutionised step-free access by showing that it can be creative, versatile and sexy, and can be installed in modern to Grade I Listed buildings. As a mathematician, I absolutely love the Sesame lift.”

- Sophie Christianse - Eight-time Paralympic gold medal champion, first-class degree mathematician and works as a statistician for Goldman Sachs

Custom Wheelchair Lifts to Fit Your Needs and Budget

We’re here to help you get the best wheelchair lift on the market today!

Our team of engineers will work with you to design a custom solution that matches your needs and budget. All our products are built to last, so you can feel confident in our abilities to provide reliable accessibility solutions.

Whether you need something more basic or more customised, we have the expertise, experience, and equipment available to meet your needs. Call us on +44 (0)1784 440088

or fill out our contact form today! Alternatively, read more about the services we provide in our frequently updated blog pages.

Have Any Queries? We Answer Some More of the Most

Frequently Asked Questions Here!

What is a DDA lift?

A DDA-compliant lift is a wheelchair lift that conforms to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) regulations. The act requires all public buildings to have wheelchair access, and this includes lifts.

A DDA-compliant lift must be able to accommodate both manual and powered wheelchairs, as well as mobility scooters. It must also be easy to use, with clear signage and controls that are easy to reach. The lift must also be safe, with a failsafe system that will stop it from descending if something goes wrong.

What does DDA accessible mean?

DDA accessible refers to a business or property that is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This means that the property provides reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, such as wheelchair lifts.

How much does a disabled lift cost in the UK?

A standard disabled lift typically costs around £10,000 to install in the UK. This price includes the cost of the lift, as well as labour and installation. However, this is just an average estimate.

There are a few factors that can affect the final cost of a disabled lift, such as the size and complexity of the installation. It's important to work with a qualified professional to ensure that your lift is installed safely and efficiently.

If you're considering installing a disabled lift in your business or property, be sure to get in touch with us for a quote.

How big does a disabled lift need to be?

The size of a disabled lift will depend on the specific needs of the person who will be using it. In general, though, the lift should be large enough to accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility device.

It's important to make sure that the disabled lift is accessible and complies with all safety regulations. To get an idea, talk to one of our expert advisors about what size and type of lift would be best for your specific needs.

Do all buildings need a DDA lift?

No, not all buildings need a DDA lift. A DDA lift is only necessary for a public building if it's required by law. Most commercial buildings, however, do install a DDA lift to make their premises more accessible to everyone.

How much is a wheelchair DDA lift?

The price may vary depending on the features and size of the lift. Additional features can include an emergency stop switch, a manual fold-up design for storage, and an automatic closing mechanism. Additionally, the size of the lift will affect the overall price. Larger lifts tend to be more expensive than smaller ones. If you need an accurate quote, contact us, and we'll be happy to help.

How big should a DDA lift shaft be?

The size of a DDA shaft will vary depending on the type of lift it is carrying. The shaft should be at least 2.4 metres wide and 2.4 metres high for a standard passenger lift. To get an accurate measurement, talk to one of our engineers. We can also provide guidance on how to make sure lift shafts comply with the relevant regulations.