Managing Your Lifts: 10 Things FMs Need To Know

By Oliver Greening, Show Director, LIFTEX 2025.

Building owners and FMs carry significant responsibilities under legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Building Safety Act and associated regulations when it comes to lifts, lifting platforms, escalators, and moving walks. Did you know that owners or FMs are accountable for passenger rescue operations and for maintaining strict control over equipment keys, including those for landing door access?

Here are the crucial points every owner needs to understand:

1. Equipment maintenance is your legal obligation

The Health and Safety at Work Act, Sections 2, 3 and 4 set general duties for employers, self‑employed and persons concerned with premises. These, supported by other regulations, place the responsibility for ensuring equipment is maintenance squarely on the owner's shoulders.

2. Professional maintenance support is essential

Securing a reliable maintenance contractor isn't just good practice – it's vital for meeting your legal obligations. You should assess the suitability of your chosen contractor for your needs. Your chosen provider should offer both practical support and strategic guidance on equipment management.

3. You should have an agreement in place for at least three years

Consider establishing maintenance contracts spanning three to five years. This duration encourages contractors to invest in your equipment's performance and longevity, ultimately benefiting both parties.

4. Examine passenger lifts every six months

Passenger lifts under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) require thorough safety examinations every six months and HSE guidance is that other lifts should be similarly examined. Thorough examinations, distinct from routine maintenance, must be conducted by independent qualified professionals. Remember to share examination reports with your maintenance team.

5. Simple checks keep your equipment running longer

Implementing routine checks can significantly extend equipment life. Monitor floor‑level stopping accuracy, test alarm systems, any fire recall operation, verify smooth door operation, and ensure passenger protection features function correctly. Lifts for use by firefighters and evacuation lifts should have a regular operational check. Report any irregularities to your maintenance provider promptly.

6. Refer to British Standards for guidance

There is guidance on your how to manage your responsibilities in British Standards documents BS 7255 safe working on lifts, BS 7801 safe working on escalators and moving walks and BS 9102 safe working on lifting platforms. BS 7255 recommends an owners safety survey which could also audit accessibility and other provisions.

7. Trapped passengers are your responsibility!

Ensure your maintenance agreement explicitly covers passenger rescue operations. For safety reasons, only qualified lift engineers should perform these procedures to prevent accidents and equipment damage.

8. Never let untrained people use the lift landing door unlocking key

There have been several accidents caused by untrained personnel using this key to release doors and free trapped passengers. In many cases the lift owner was found responsible. Check out the LEIA and HSE safety campaign for guidance.

9. Test your alarm regularly

It sounds obvious, but this is really the only way that trapped passengers can call for help so needs to be in working order. If the alarm isn’t working, then you will need either remove the lift from service or find an alternative communication method to put in place temporarily. If you do not have a two way voice alarm then you should have one fitted.

10. Be sure to check that lift doors are fitted with detectors

Full height passenger detectors are fitted on new lifts and can be readily fitted to existing lifts to reduce the risk from closing doors. There have been incidents where children have trapped their fingers on glass doors when they open. If in doubt, have a look at the LEIA Liam Loves Lifts safety campaign which highlights this.

For comprehensive guidance on lift management and maintenance, visit LIFTEX 2025 (11th‑12th June 2025, ExCeL, London).
This triennial event, organised by the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), offers free expert consultation through seminars and showcases over 100 leading industry suppliers.

Register for free at www.liftexshow.com.