The Lifts Regulations 1997

1.    GENERAL

(1.1) Application of Directive 89/392/EEC, as amended by Directives 91/368/EEC, 93/44/EEC and 93/68/EEC.(1)

Where the relevant hazard exists and is not dealt with in this Annex, the essential health and safety requirements of Annex I to Directive 89/392/EEC apply. The essential requirement of Section 1.1.2 of Annex 1 to Directive 89/392/EEC must apply in any event.

(1.2) Car

The car must be designed and constructed to offer the space and strength corresponding to the maximum number of persons and the rated load of the lift set by the installer.

In the case of lifts intended for the transport of persons, and where its dimensions permit, the car must be designed and constructed in such a way that its structural features do not obstruct or impede access and use by disabled persons and so as to allow any appropriate adjustments intended to facilitate its use by them.

(1.3) Means of suspension and means of support

The means of suspension and/or support of the car, its attachments and any terminal parts thereof must be selected and designed so as to ensure an adequate level of overall safety and to minimise the risk of the car falling, taking into account the conditions of use, the materials used and the conditions of manufacture.

Where ropes or chains are used to suspend the car, there must be at least two independent cables or chains, each with its own anchorage system. Such ropes and chains must have no joins or splices except where necessary for fixing or forming a loop.

(1.4) Control of loading (including overspeed)

1.4.1.Lifts must be so designed, constructed and installed as to prevent normal starting if the rated load is exceeded.

1.4.2.Lifts must be equipped with an overspeed limitation device(2).

These requirements do not apply to lifts in which the design of the drive system prevents overspeed.

1.4.3.Fast lifts must be equipped with a speed-monitoring and speed-limiting device.

1.4.4.Lifts driven by friction pulleys must be designed so as to ensure stability of the traction cables on the pulley.

(1.5) Machinery

1.5.1.All passenger lifts must have their own individual lift machinery. This requirement does not apply to lifts in which the counterweights are replaced by a second car.

1.5.2.The installer of the lift must ensure that the lift machinery and the associated devices of a lift are not accessible except for maintenance and in emergencies.

(1.6) Controls

1.6.1.The controls of lifts intended for use by unaccompanied disabled persons must be designed and located accordingly.

1.6.2.The function of the controls must be clearly indicated.

1.6.3.The call circuits of a group of lifts may be shared or interconnected.

1.6.4.Electrical equipment must be so installed and connected that:

• there can be no possible confusion with circuits which do not have any direct connection with the lift,

• the power supply can be switched while on load,

• movements of the lift are dependent on electrical safety devices in a separate electrical safety circuit,

• a fault in the electrical installation does not give rise to a dangerous situation.