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Part M of the Building Regualtions

Part M of the building regulations move away from the narrow aim of making buildings accessible to, and usable by, disabled people and move towards an aim to make buildings accessible to, and usable by, everyone - including people with disabilities, entre the Sesame system.

To purchase all of the Building Regulation Guides please click on the following link www.building-regs.org.uk/part_m.html

An overview to the Building Regulations relevant to the Sesame system are as follows:

General Requirements for Lifting Devices

• For existing buildings, for new build in exceptional circumstances (e.g. alterations to listed buildings) or where a passenger lift just cannot be accommodated, a vertical lifting platform such as the Sesame system may be considered to provide access for persons with impaired mobility.
• Clear signs must be present to indicate the location of the Sesame System. This regulation is particularly relevant as the Sesame Systems rest position hides the platform lift as the stairs are extended for pedestrian use. This causes considerable advertising issues when architects enter prestigious buildings via the Sesame Stairs without realizing a unique wheelchair lift is beneath their feet.

The Sesame System conforms to the Requirement of M1 or M2 in the following ways.

• There is an unobstructed manoeuvring space of 1500mm x 1500mm, or a straight access route 900mm wide.
• The Sesame landing control buttons "Stairs Back", "Stairs Forward", "Lift Up", "Lift Down", "Emergency Stop" and the "On/Off Key Switch" or "Emergency Lift Lower Key Switch" are located between 900mm and 1100mm from the floor of the landing and at least 500mm from any return wall;-
• The landing control button symbols, where provided, and lifting device control button symbols are raised to facilitate tactile reading;
• All call and control buttons contrast visually with the surrounding face plate, and the face plate similarly contrasts with the surface on which it is mounted;
• The floor of the Sesame lifting device should not be of a dark colour and is always outlined by a 3mm stainless steel trim, a 6mm gap then the 3mm stainless steel wheel-stop trim. This distinguishes the rising platform from the landing floor.
• A handrail is provided in the form of a permanent button post or a rising button post that remains hidden until the Sesame stairs have retracted and the device rises.
• Each control station is fitted with an emergency stop button. Each station can communicate with reception or a member of staff via an intercom or a call for assistance button

Lifting platforms Design considerations

• The Sesame System is only provided to transfer wheelchair users, people with impaired mobility and their companions vertically between levels or storeys.
• All users including wheelchair users can to reach and use the Sesame Systems controls that summon and direct the lifting platform.
• The client can opt for audible and visual information to tell the Sesame System user that the platform has arrived. The Sesame is an easy to use interactive device where the user presents the next stage of the sequence to themselves throughout the control process.
• Lifting platforms travel slowly between landings and may not be suitable for lone users with certain disabilities, e.g. those easily fatigued.
• The complete Sesame System is operated by continuous pressure controls, usually pushbuttons. However, another means of continuous pressure control may need to be considered to accommodate the needs of users with varying degrees of manual dexterity.
• It is important when selecting a Sesame System that due care and attention is paid to its intended use particularly if located in an unsupervised environment. Each Sesame is built bespoke to its site and the clients requirements. Where management control cannot be exercised, particular attention has been paid to the product's designed duty cycle. The Sesame gates and barriers have anti crush pressure switches, the platform lift has trip bars when a solid stainless steel protecting surface is not installed, and all the controls being press and hold result in a complete system stop when the button is released.
• Where planning allows, lifting platforms may be provided with opposing doors when used for access between two levels only, to allow a wheelchair user to leave without reversing out. In some cases, it may be more convenient to provide a second door at 90 degrees to the first, in which case a wider platform would be required.
• The use of visually and acoustically reflective wall surfaces should be minimised within the lifting platform to prevent discomfort for people with visual and hearing impairment.

Lifting platforms Provisions

• The Sesame system conforms to the requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992, S.I. 1992/3073
• (Note: These regulations may be met by compliance, among other things, with the relevant British Standards, EN81 series of standards or, where necessary, by product certification issued by a Notified Body.
• The vertical travel distance of a Sesame System is less than 2000mm and does not penetrate floors.
• The rated speed of the platform does not exceed 0.15m/s;
• Lifting platform controls are located between 800mm and 1100mm from the floor of the lifting platform and at least 400mm from any return wall;
• The minimum clear dimensions of the Sesame platform are:

i) 1000mm wide and 1250mm deep, where the lifting platform is not enclosed. This platform size is for a wheelchair user only;

ii) 1000mm wide and 1400mm deep, where the lifting platform is enclosed and where provision is being made for an unaccompanied wheelchair user;

iii) 1100mm wide and 1400mm deep where two doors are located at 90 degrees relative to each other and where the lifting platform is enclosed or where provision is being made for an accompanied wheelchair user;

• Sesame Systems Gates and Rising Barriers have an effective clear width of at least 900mm for an 1100mm wide and 1400mm deep lifting platform and at least 800mm in other cases;
• The Sesame Systems controls are fitted with clear instructions for use.
• The lifting platform entrances are accessible from the remainder of the story
• The Gates and Rising Barriers are distinguishable visually from the adjoining walls;
• An audible and visual announcement of platform arrival and level reached can be provided;
• Areas of glass, when used on the gate for example, are identifiable by people with impaired vision.