Fire Safety Lift Checks Regulations 2022

The Fire Safety Regulations 2022

New regulations will come into force in England on 23^rd January 2023. Which the “responsible person” for a residential building will be accountable for. Made under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which already requires responsible persons to ensure lifts for firefighters use and evacuation lifts have a suitable maintenance plan. The update is intended to assist responsible persons in relation to lifts, we have highlighted the changes below.

Regulation 6

Floor plans and building plan to identify location of all lifts

Responsible Person must:

Make and keep an up to date plan for each floor of a high-rise residential building, that identify the location of all lifts and identify any lift for use by firefighters or an evacuation lift. A copy must be placed in the secure information box.

Regulation 7

Lifts for use by firefighters and evacuation lifts – monthly routine checks

Responsible Person must:

• Make a record of the monthly checks and make this available to residents.
• Check operation of any evacuation lift switch or firefighters lift switch using their key to ensure it recalls the lift car to the fire service access level; and is then in evacuation control or firefighters lift control.
• Any fault should be reported to the lift maintenance provider to allow it to be investigated and rectified.

The responsible person must undertake monthly routine checks of firefighter, and evacuation lifts. Where the responsible person identifies any fault with a lift for use by firefighters or as an evacuation lift. Action must be taken to rectify the fault. Where a fault cannot be rectified within 24-hours, the responsible person must report the fault to the local fire and rescue authority.

Note: it is very unlikely that these monthly routine checks would be covered by any current lift maintenance agreement.

Regulation 10

Fire doors

Lift landing doors do not meet the description of fire doors and are not included in the scope of this regulation. Lift landing doors typically open onto areas that are protected by fire doors described in this regulation.

Definitions

Residential Building

Defined as a building which contains two or more sets of domestic premises.

High-rise Residential Building

Defined as a building containing two or more sets of domestic premises that is at least 18 m above ground level or has at least seven storeys.

Monthly Routine Checks

Monthly routine checks confirm that the lift is in efficient working order and in good repair, carried out in accordance with the relevant industry standard or any recommendations made by the manufacturers of equipment within any operators’ manual. Intended to be undertaken by the responsible person i.e. not requiring specialist lift personnel.

Daily Checks For Lifts

To assist responsible persons carrying out these tasks, please refer to “Daily checks for lifts” and “Checks for lifts with special operation in the event of fire” in Annex D – Responsible person checks in the LEIA Code of practice for maintenance.

iKONIC Lifts Service Department are here to help

If you would like any assistance with this or wish to make provisions into your current service contract with us. Don’t hesitate to contact our service department.