Lifts: safety, maintenance and technical control

Verified 04 November 2020 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Lifts must be equipped with certain safety devices. The owner of an elevator must maintain these levels of safety by having the equipment regularly serviced and technically inspected. In the event of failure to comply with these obligations, the owner of the lift may be fined and be liable.

Elevator settled before 1 January 1983

Lifts shall be equipped with the following:

  • Securely lock bearing swing doors
  • Anti-vandalism devices for unlocking swing doors
  • Human presence detection system to protect against impact of sliding doors when closed
  • Duct closing device preventing access to the ductwork and to the unlocking elements of the bearing door locks
  • Cabin parachute and downward speed limiter in an electric elevator
  • Device for preventing any sheathing when the cab is immobilized outside the unlocking zone
  • Cabin inspection and stopping maneuver control device for protecting operating personnel operating on the roof of a cabin, in a sheath or in a bowl
  • Devices for safe access of emergency personnel to machinery or pulley spaces
  • System for locking doors and gates intended for the technical inspection of the shaft and the bowl and the emergency doors, with automatic control of the stop of the lift when these doors and gates are opened
  • System for controlling the stopping and maintaining at level of the lift cabin, capable of ensuring, at all levels served, safe access and accessibility for disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility
  • Remote alarm device between the cabin and an emergency service, coupled with emergency lighting in the cabin
  • Bearing doors having sufficient mechanical strength when they comprise a glazing unit
  • Cabin free fall, drift and overspeed protection device for hydraulic elevator
  • Protection system with marking or signaling eliminating the risk of direct contact of emergency personnel with live bare components or conductors, in control cabinets, electrical cabinets and power supply panels
  • Devices for protecting emergency personnel against the risk of being caught by mobile transmission members, in particular pulleys, cables or belts
  • Fixed lighting device in machinery spaces or pulleys ensuring adequate illumination of working areas and traffic areas
From 1 January 1983

Lifts shall be equipped with the following:

  • Securely lock bearing swing doors
  • Anti-vandalism devices for unlocking swing doors
  • Human presence detection system to protect against impact of sliding doors when closed
  • Duct closing device preventing access to the ductwork and to the unlocking elements of the bearing door locks
  • Cabin parachute and downward speed limiter in an electric elevator
  • Device for preventing any sheathing when the cab is immobilized outside the unlocking zone
  • Cabin inspection and stopping maneuver control device for protecting operating personnel operating on the roof of a cabin, in a sheath or in a bowl
  • Devices for safe access of emergency personnel to machinery or pulley spaces
  • System for locking doors and gates intended for the technical inspection of the shaft and the bowl and the emergency doors, with automatic control of the stop of the lift when these doors and gates are opened
  • Remote alarm device between the cabin and an emergency service, coupled with emergency lighting in the cabin
  • Bearing doors having sufficient mechanical strength when they comprise a glazing unit
  • Cabin free fall, drift and overspeed protection device for hydraulic elevator
  • Protection system with marking or signaling eliminating the risk of direct contact of emergency personnel with live bare components or conductors, in control cabinets, electrical cabinets and power supply panels
  • Devices for protecting emergency personnel against the risk of being caught by mobile transmission members, in particular pulleys, cables or belts
  • Fixed lighting device in machinery spaces or pulleys ensuring adequate illumination of working areas and traffic areas

Objective 

Roadworthiness tests shall consist of verifying that the lift is equipped with the safety devices in good condition.

It also makes it possible to identify any defect presenting a danger to the safety of persons or affecting the proper functioning of the apparatus.

Realization

The roadworthiness test shall be carried out every 5 years by an approved roadworthiness test.

The owner must inform the inhabitants of the building that the elevator is not available for the duration of the roadworthiness test. This information must be provided by means of a display on the lift door.

Delivery of an inspection report

The Technical Controller shall make an inspection report indicating the operations carried out and, where applicable, the defects identified.

The owner must forward this report to the company responsible for maintaining the elevator. If work is required, it must forward the report to the persons responsible for its design and execution.

Any person with a title of occupation (tenant, co-owner...) can request, by any means and at his own expense, a copy of this report from the owner of the elevator.

Objective

The maintenance of the lift is to ensure its proper operation.

Its level of safety must be maintained by regular checks on the effectiveness of landing door locks. These checks must be carried out every 6 weeks.

Occasional checks must be made to ensure replacement of defective or worn parts.

Realization

The owner can call on the lift of his choice. However, the owner must enter into a maintenance contract with the chosen professional.

This contract must be concluded for a minimum of 1 year.

Content of the maintenance contract

The maintenance contract shall include the repair or replacement of small parts when they are worn out or defective.

If the contract also involves the repair and replacement of important parts, it must clearly show the time taken to intervene and the remuneration provided for this service.

The references of the maintenance contract and its end date shall be entered in the maintenance book of the condominium building. This log must record all visits, operations and interventions carried out.

Any owner who fails to comply with safety, control and maintenance obligations can be punished with a fine of €450 and be liable in the event of an accident involving persons.

Anyone with an occupation title (tenant, co-owner...) can enter the court to request, possibly under penalty payment, the upgrading of an elevator. It may also require compliance with maintenance and roadworthiness requirements.