Lift car requirements for EN 81-70:2021 +A1: 2022
A typical lift car requires a number of features to meet EN 81-70, this is particularly important in public facilities and where passengers have a higher degree of disability.
EN 81-70:2021 +A1: 2022 Lift Car Requirements
Mirror
> Car types 1, 2 & 3 shall have a mirror to aid passengers in a wheel chair to see behind them.
> No mirror or glass to be used below 300mm from the floor.
COP
> COP Location right hand side for centre opening lift doors.
> Slam side for side opening lift doors.
> If lift car width is 1600mm or greater, a COP is required on both side walls.
> If lift car width is 1600mm or greater, and has adjacent doors a COP is required on each wall without doors.
Handrail
> A handrail shall be installed on the car operating panel (COP) side wall.
> The handrail shall be interrupted in front of COP. Handrail may be installed on one side of COP if shorter side ≤ 400 mm.
> Gripping part of handrail to be 30 – 45 mm in width, with a minimum radius of 10 mm.
> Space between wall and handrail to be at least 35 mm.
> Top edge of handrail shall be 900 mm (± 25 mm) above finished floor level.
> Handrail ends shall be closed and if there is a risk of collision with projecting ends, such as in front of the COP, it shall return towards the wall.
> Car types 1, 2 & 3 may install handrail on opposite side wall if handrail would restrict the car entrance width.
> Car types 4 & 5 shall have a second handrail, either on the opposite wall or the rear wall.
Floor
> Lift floor should be slip-resistant.
> Same material as the landing lobbies may be used.
Tip-up seat – Optional
Not required but if requested the below are the adviced specifications.
> 500 mm (± 25 mm) Height above finished floor level
> 300 mm – 400 mm Depth
> 400 mm – 500 mm Width
> Able to support a load of at least 120 kg.
Increased accessibility and usability of lifts
For guidance for increased accessibility and usability of lifts, see Annexe D. Below are some highlights
Annexe D
> Glass landing doors to be marked to avoid optical confusion & easy identification of lift entrances. More guidance is available on design for visually impaired persons in ISO 21542
> Transparent car walls, well walls and doors may reduce the risk of panic by lift users and trapped passengers. However, they may increase anxiety of any fear of heights.
> Clear height of car and landing doors should be at least 2100 mm.
> Handrails should be installed on all car walls without doors.
> Walls should have matt surface to prevent reflections, optical confusion and glare. If a car wall is substantially mirrored, the glass should be decorated or bottom edge of mirror at least 300 mm above the floor.
> Braille characters according to ISO 17049 may be provided in addition to tactile symbols, but they should be a minimum of 5 mm apart.
For additonal information on EN 81-70:2021 +A1: 2022 download our pdf here
This was correct to our knowledge at date of publishing in April 2025.
