The on-lift barriers
| Total rise | Barriers required | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Rise 0 to 200 mm | No barriers or wheel stops are required | Only available in private properties or supervised environments. |
| Rise over 200 mm but less than 1000 mm for wheelchair users | A wheel stop is required. This is a vertically rising stainless steel barrier, 100 mm high as seen on our Sesame Waterloo Lift. The wheel stop prevents the wheelchair from rolling off the lift. This wheel stop does not protect standing pedestrians from falling off the lift. An alternative Sesame system that caters for standing users to travel on the lift is the Sesame Westminster Stair Lift. The wheel stop system is for seated users only. Ambulant disabled people are often presented with a wheelchair to travel whilst seated on the chair lift. A barrier of 1100 mm in height is needed at the upper landing level to stop anyone falling down the void. This could be a rising barrier, gate, manual barrier or door, please click on the following Upper Landing Barrier link for more information. | For seated users only. This option should not be used for standing pedestrians as the wheel stop will present a trip hazard to anyone standing on the lift. |
| Rise over 1000 mm & standing users | The lift must be fully enclosed on all four sides to a height of 1100 mm on the lift table. This allows people who are standing to use the lift. The Sesame Pimlico Lift houses three rising barriers on the lift table. The Sesame Whitehall DDA Lift uses the surrounding handrails and the on-lift rising barrier. The Sesame Windsor Lift uses permanent handrails and an automatic gate. Again an upper landing barrier is needed to protect the void that is created when the stairs retract. | None |
On Lift Barriers Q&A's
Q1. What barriers are required on the lift platform itself (on-lift barriers)?
For a rise of 0–200 mm, no barriers or wheel stops are required.
For a rise between 200 mm and 1000 mm (for wheelchair users only), a 100 mm high vertically rising stainless steel wheel stop is required.
For a rise over 1000 mm or where standing users are expected, the lift must be fully enclosed on all four sides to a height of 1100 mm on the lift table.
The Westminster lift uses three rising barriers that come up through the lift table and fully enclose the user to this 1100 mm height. Two side barriers rise first to allow wheelchair access, and the rear barrier rises last to complete the enclosure before travel.
Q2. Why is full enclosure (1100 mm barriers) required for rises over 1 m or for standing users?
When the lift rise exceeds 1000 mm or the platform is used by standing passengers, a full barrier enclosure to 1100 mm is required for safety.
This design ensures the platform complies with accessibility standards and provides full fall protection for both seated and standing users.
Q3. What is a wheel stop, and when is it used instead of full barriers?
A wheel stop is a 100 mm high vertically rising stainless steel edge fitted around the lift platform.
It prevents wheelchair wheels from rolling off the platform when the lift is for seated users only.
Wheel stops are used only for rises below 1000 mm. For standing users or higher rises, full-height barriers are required instead.
Q4. Are there different barrier configurations or movement sequences?
Yes. On the Westminster lift, the stairs retract first, then the upper landing barrier rises to guard the opening.
Next, the two side barriers on the lift table rise first to allow entry, followed by the third rear barrier which rises behind the user once they are on the platform.
This sequence provides a safe and fully enclosed space before the lift travels.
Different barrier layout types can also be used, such as a dog-leg or straight-line upper landing barrier arrangement, depending on site layout.
Q5. What safety features do the on-lift rising barriers include?
Each rising barrier has a touch-sensitive pad on its top edge that causes it to reverse if touched during movement with a force of around 150 Newtons or less.
Sensitive safety edges on the underside detect obstructions when lowering, and the system automatically halts to prevent entrapment.
If a crush hazard exists within 300 mm of the barriers, such as a nearby handrail or wall, additional safety edges can be installed along the outer sides of the lift table.
The barriers can also disconnect from the drive mechanism if resistance is detected, adding another layer of protection.
Q6. Is the upper landing barrier part of the on-lift barrier system?
The upper landing barrier is a separate but coordinated safety feature.
It rises automatically when the lift is called to the lower level to prevent people from falling into the lift void when the stairs retract.
Once the user has exited the lift at the upper level, the barrier lowers again after a short delay, restoring normal stair access.