Standards Development

Scope

This part of BS 5655 gives recommendations for:

a)    modification of a lift, by physical or digital means, which changes the characteristics of the lift, creates a new hazard or increases risk;

b)    addition to a lift of a new part that changes the characteristics of the lift, creates a new hazard or increases risk; and

c)     replacement of a safety component or important sub‑system of a lift.

This part of BS 5655 is applicable to existing passenger or goods passenger lifts with the following characteristics:

1)    traction, positive or hydraulic drive;

2)    serving defined landing levels;

3)    having a car designed for the transportation of persons or persons and goods;

4)    suspended by ropes, chains or jacks;

5)    moving between guide rails inclined not more than 15° to the vertical; and

6)    with a rated speed not less than 0.15 m/s.

This part of BS 5655 is not applicable to:

i)       new lifts (see Note 1);

ii)     lifting appliances, such as those used to access workplaces, paternosters, mine lifts, theatrical lifts, appliances with automatic caging, skips, lifts and hoists for building and public works sites, ship’s hoists, platforms for exploration or drilling at sea, construction and maintenance appliances;

iii)    lifting platforms and vertical lifting appliances with enclosed carriers intended for use by persons, including persons with disability (“slow speed lifts”);

iv)   installations where the inclination of the guide rails to the vertical exceeds 15°;

v)     lifts with drives other than traction, positive or hydraulic drives; and

vi)   goods‑only lifts.

NOTE 1 A new lift is one where:

• no lift previously existed, e.g. a new lift installed in a new or existing building; or
• an existing lift has been completely replaced; or
• an existing lift is replaced where only the existing guide rails and their fixings, or the fixings alone, are retained.

NOTE 2 A lift is new when made available for use as part of the construction process (also known as early beneficial use). It therefore follows that any work to the lift to enable it to be suitable for its originally intended use as detailed by the lift contractor would be one or more modifications covered by this part of BS 5655.

NOTE 3 A complete replacement is considered to include where the replacement is planned and undertaken in more than one stage.

NOTE 4 In some situations (e.g. potentially explosive atmosphere, extreme climate conditions, transporting dangerous goods, etc.), additional measures might need to be taken to those recommended in this part of BS 5655.