Modernising lifts: what you need to know about compliance, standards and building owner responsibilities

Many lifts in use in the UK today were installed over 20 years ago and would generally have been installed to the safety level appropriate at time of installation. These lifts, if not improved, would have a lower level of safety than a more recently installed lift, following today’s state-of-the-art modern technologies. This means there is a gap between the modern lift and the level of protection for users and workers on a lift.

Categories of lift modernisation

A lift is often modernised to restore it to, at least, “as good as new condition”. However, building owners might improve their properties for several reasons including improvements to lifts for the:

• safety of users and workers
• accessibility to their building
• vandal resistance to their lifts
• behaviour of lifts in the event of fire
• improvement of lifts used by firefighters or evacuation
• performance
• useability

Auditing the work required

BS EN 81-80:2019 Annex A assumes a lift is installed to the standards of the day and strongly recommends that an audit be carried out before implementing changes to any lift installation to assess the existing level of safety and determine what changes, if any, are necessary to bring it up to today’s state of the art.

The results of the audit should indicate the safety measures identified. This will allow discussions with the building owner to identify items of greatest concern and the priority for upgrading process.

Building owners who have completed modernisation schemes on lifts that are used for firefighters or evacuation should understand their duties to the Building Safety Act and their responsibilities under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations. Read the LEIA Guidance.

After any modernisation scheme updated information should be provided to the building owner where the change will affect the user or maintenance procedures described in the original owner’s manual (including where changes have occurred in the original electrical wiring diagrams).

LOLER Regulations

When lifts have undergone a significant change, the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) explains that every employer needs to ensure that lifting equipment exposed to conditions causing deterioration, which is liable to result in dangerous situations, is Thoroughly Examined. The building owner should organise a Thorough Examination after any serious modification and complete it before the lift is placed back into service.

Key Takeaways:

Safety Assessment

• A comprehensive audit should precede any lift modernisation to evaluate existing safety levels
• The gap between older installations and current safety standards should be identified and addressed

Modernisations are driven by multiple factors including:

• Enhanced safety measures for users and workers
• Improved building accessibility
• Better vandal resistance
• Updated fire safety features
• Performance optimisation
• Enhanced usability

Regulatory Compliance

• Building owners should understand their obligations under the Building Safety Act
• Special attention is required for lifts used by firefighters or for evacuation
• Compliance with Fire Safety (England) Regulations is mandatory

Documentation Requirements for building owners

• Updated documentation should be provided after modernisation
• Changes affecting user or maintenance procedures should be documented
• Electrical wiring diagrams should be updated to reflect modifications

Post-Modernisation Safety Checks

• LOLER regulations require Thorough Examination after significant modifications
• Safety inspections should be completed before returning lifts to service
• Regular monitoring and maintenance procedures should be established

Micky Grover White, Technical Manager at LEIA, will address the critical aspects of lift modernisation, focusing on how building and facilities managers can effectively manage safety risks and comply with current standards. His session will explore the growing gap between older lift installations and modern safety requirements, offering practical guidance on implementing necessary upgrades.

The presentation will cover key drivers for lift modernisation, including what recommendations are to be considered when completing a modernisation scheme. Attendees will gain valuable insights into their responsibilities under the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Regulations, particularly concerning lifts used for firefighting or evacuation purposes.

He will also discuss the importance of post-modernisation documentation, and maintaining detailed records of modifications. The session will provide practical steps for building and facilities managers to assess their existing lift installations and prioritise safety improvements.

Key areas of discussion:

• Safety audit requirements and implementation
• Essential modernisation considerations
• Regulatory compliance and documentation
• Post-modification safety checks
• Building owner responsibilities

This session is essential for building and facilities managers looking to understand their obligations and implement effective lift modernisation strategies while ensuring compliance with current safety standards.

Wednesday 11^th June

12-12.15pm – seminar theatre