An Introduction to EN81 the New

British and European Lift Standard

Lift Consultants can provide an important service to bridge the gap that
often exists between the Client and the Contractor on any project
involving lifts or elevators.

This website provides outline information on the European Standard EN81

which is the current standard governing the design and safety of passenger
lifts within the UK.

Independent Lift Consultants, such as Liftline Limited, form a

professional link that can ensure the elevator system meets the needs of
the Client exactly so that any necessary features, such as firefighting,
disabled access or special control features are included from the very
beginning, and the final installation fully complies with all current
standards.

Due to the wide range of building arrangements, hospitals, flats, council,

residential, offices, stations, airports, hotels, warehouses, factories,
shops etc. the range of lifts and elevators needs to be equally varied.
This standard covers the basic safety requirements but the additional
design is provided by the Lift Consultant.

Liftline have been operating since 1987 providing a range of services

across Britain. Liftline, lift consultants, can assist on new build
projects, repairs, refurbishment's and modernisation's.

Visit our website for more information on the Company. The Website also
provides pages on related subjects such as LG1 periodic testing and the
Lifts Regulations.

EN81 - LIFT STANDARDS - INTRODUCTION

Liftline Limited is an independent Lift Design Consultancy company
providing professional advice and assistance on all types of lifts and
escalators.

This section has been provided to assist clients with an insight into the
new EN81 European Lift Standards. These Standards replace exisitng parts
of BS 5655 and align the British and European Harmonised Standards with
The Lifts Regulations 1997.
With the introduction of The Lifts Regulations, a revision of the existing
British and European Lift standards was required.

BS EN81 parts 1 and 2 were approved by CEN on 21st February 1998. The new
standards were optional until 1st July 1999 at which time they replaced
and superseded the existing standards.

EN81-1:1998 Safety Rules for the construction and installation of lifts

- Electric lifts - replaces BS 5655 Part 1 1986.

EN81-2:1998 Safety Rules for the construction and installation of lifts

- Hydraulic lifts - replaces BS 5655 Part 2 1988.

Both new standards include the new measures required for compliance with
the Lifts Regulations 1997 which came into full force also on 1st July
1999.

These documents have been accepted by BSI as British Standards.

The EN81 group of standards has been expanded to cover other related topics
including;

 EN81-21: New passenger and goods lifts in existing buildings.

 EN81-28: Remote alarm on passenger and goods passenger lifts.
 EN81-70: Accessibility to lifts for persons including persons with disability.
 EN81-71: Vandal resistant lifts.
 EN81-73: Behaviour of lifts in the event of fire.

EN81 Part 70 is discussed more fully in other sections of this website.

EN81 - Legal Requirements and

Implications
BS EN81 parts 1 and 2, as with other British and European Standards, have
no specific legal authority and compliance is no guarantee of immunity
from legal obligations.

However they are inextricably linked to The Lifts Regulations 1997 which
in effect makes putting a lift into service, unless full compliance is
guaranteed, an issue which may result in prosecution.

The new standards apply to new lifts. The instance of a new lift in a new
building with a new lift shaft is simple enough. But what of new lifts
in existing lift shafts? As for The Regulations, these too are considered
to require full conformity of the Regulations and therefore EN81.

It is with the matter of refurbished or modernised lifts where the clarity

fades. The problem lies in the fact that a clear definition as to what
constitutes a 'new' lift has not been determined and, at the time of
writing, still no concise European definition exists.

According to the Health and Safety Executive the Regulations, and

therefore EN81, will apply to any refurbishment that results in a change
to the original Health and Safety characteristics. This is clearly open
to misinterpretation and error even within the lift industry itself. It
is entirely possible that the replacement of a control system or drive
unit in certain circumstances may in itself be sufficient for the
Regulations to come into force.

The Lift and Escalator Industry Association, L.E.I.A., issued a letter

dated 11th June 1999, which recommends that the retention of guides along
with other minor parts will not be sufficient to prevent the Regulations
from being applicable. This similarly widens the scope of application of
EN81.

In all cases therefore the advice has to be to assume that full compliance
is necessary except for the most simple like for like replacement of parts
or components which do not have a bearing upon the performance or health
and safety characteristics of the installation.

After all, the apparent aim of all these documents and standards is to
improve health and safety conditions and as such they should be embraced
where possible and not regarded as a matter to be avoided at all costs.

EN81 - In Practice
The new standards are not significantly different from the old standards
they replace. However these small changes affect not only the lift
equipment that must be supplied but affect works which may be undertaken
by other contractors.

For instance, whereas shaft lighting has always been a requirement in the
UK, providing fittings were not more than 7.0m apart, there was little
further restriction. Now a minimum light intensity throughout the shaft
has been specified.
Although all differences between the old and new standards are beyond the
scope of these pages, some of the major or significant alterations are
discussed.

Both parts 1 and 2 recognise the possibility of open lift shafts for scenic
lifts etc. and specific requirements are introduced. As mentioned above,
minimum lighting intensity levels of not only the lift shaft but also the
machine and pulley rooms are incorporated. The standards recognise the
use of glass in lift cars, doors and lift shafts, and make specific safety
provisions.

The specific requirements to satisfy the Regulations are also included.

These basically include consideration of disabled persons during design,
the provision of a lift car communication device, an overload device
within the lift car, devices to prevent uncontrolled upward movement and
the protection of automatic car and landing doors to prevent the risk of
crushing.

One matter of some dispute relates to the Regulation that the lift shall
automatically and safely shut down after releasing passengers if the
temperature of the machine room should exceed its designed maximum. This
particular requirement, although specified in the Regulations, would
appear to be an error. Both the Official Journal and EN81 refer to over
temperature of the machine or hydraulic system and not the machine room
itself.

The provision of a Technical Dossier with the lift was included in the
old standard. However this has been widened to incorporate the additional
documentation for the lift and its safety components as required by The
Regulations.

A number of Annexes have been added which cover a wide range of topics,
including tests before going into service or following an accident or
modification, proof or guide rails, traction evaluation, safety factors
of ropes and calculations of hydraulic cylinders, pipes and fittings.

EN81 - Conclusions and Comment

In the majority of cases the advent of these new standards will have little
bearing upon the lift installation itself. The main contractual
implications will come about from the close tie in with the Lifts
Regulations, notes on which are included within this site.
In the UK we have through British Standards always maintained very high
standards often equal to or better than our European counterparts. Many
of the changes to the old standards are obviously for the better. However
in our opinion certain aspects leave a lot to be desired.

For example, in the UK BS 5655 Part 9 describes the requirements for guide
rails. This standard limited guide and bracket deflections to 3mm under
the action of the safety gear. EN81 allows deflections of 5mm, or 10mm
on guides where no safety gear is fitted. In cases such as these the new
standards are allowing a decline in the level of quality recognised in
this country.

The standard focuses upon the design of package or model lifts which are
favoured throughout Europe and also by the larger lift companies in this
country. In the old standard, the new type machine room-less lift did not
comply. However the new standards appear to have been twisted such that
these Companies can market their products to the possible detriment of
safety.

This website is presented in general terms and is a personal opinion. Any

specific projects or situations should be assessed and examined in detail.

Please use the contents section to explore any parts which may be of
interest and to move around the site.