Introduction:

Many duty holders have, under their remit, one or more lifts that they refer to as “The Fireman’s Lift” in different buildings. Whilst this is in of itself not necessarily an element of immediate concern, it might prove to be the case that the aforementioned lift was installed to lift code standards whilst the duty holder mistakenly assumes they meet the requirements. In this article, we aim to provide an overview of the regulatory requirements and best practices for fire-fighting arrangements. This perspective considers the compliance of lift installations within the broader context of fire safety standards & strategies in buildings.

So, What’s Going On?

All former lift code standards relating to fire-fighting or evacuation were superseded with the introduction of BS EN81-72:2015, which heralded the new official term, “Firefighter’s Lift” in lieu of the former terms “Firefighting Lift” or “Fireman’s Lift”. With this new code standard came additional safety considerations not present or required by previous, former standards and as such, many lifts operational within high-rise buildings today may not meet all of the current code requirements.

The Government introduced in 2022 both the Building Safety Act and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations to enhance the safety of new & existing buildings. These legislative measures emphasise the importance of safe & efficient design & maintenance of building services while promptly addressing any defects. It's important to note that these regulations can impact lift management, imposing additional duties on responsible persons, as they address the proper maintenance of lifts used for firefighting and evacuations.

Both the Building Safety Act and the Fire Safety Regulations pay particular attention to high-rise residential buildings (Fire Safety Regulations) or higher-risk buildings (Building Safety Act). Such buildings are defined as those exceeding 18 metres in height or having over 7 storeys & multiple domestic premises. While the regulations primarily focus on taller buildings, the advice provided is relevant to lower-rise structures with firefighter or evacuation lifts as well.

Please note that this article serves as a brief guidance and should be read alongside relevant standards, including:

• BS EN 81-72:2015

• BS EN 81-50:2020

• Building Regulations 2010 - Approved Document B

• BS 9999:2017 (code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings)

What Do We Need To Do Now?

Firstly, The Fire Safety Regulations bring forth a set of new and more rigorous responsibilities for individuals designated as 'responsible persons' (RP). This term encompasses various roles such as building owners, employers, property or building managers, and those accountable for the overall operation and safety of a building.

Under these regulations, the RP is required to meticulously prepare a comprehensive plan for each floor within their building. These floor plans serve the purpose of identifying the precise location of all lifts and distinguishing whether they are intended for use by firefighters or designated as evacuation lifts. In addition for applicable buildings, the RP must now:

• Undertake monthly routine checks of lifts for use by firefighters, evacuation lifts & essential firefighting equipment in the building.

• Where any fault is identified with a lift for use by firefighters, evacuation lift or piece of essential firefighting equipment, take steps to rectify the fault.

• Where a fault identified above cannot be rectified within a 24-hour period (from the time the fault is identified) must, as soon as reasonably practicable

  • Report the fault to the local fire and rescue authority by electronic means; and

  • Report the rectification of the fault to the local fire and rescue authority by electronic means, once it has been rectified.

• Make a record of the monthly checks undertaken pursuant to this regulation and make that record accessible to the residents of the building.

Secondly, The Building Safety Act requires that the RP identifies all lifts for use by firefighters, as well as evacuation lifts, and places them on a monthly lift maintenance contract. In addition, the following shall be performed:

• Identify where within each building these lifts are located.

• Ensure that all documentation for those lifts is complete and up to date.

• Look at the age & condition of the identified lifts and consider whether upgrade, modernisation or renewal is necessary.

• Evaluate the current maintenance regime for these lifts and assess its adequacy in ensuring ongoing reliable operation.

When undertaking the steps to determine the answers to these points, it may be appropriate to engage a lift consultant to perform condition surveys, or to perform surveys against BS8899:2016 to outline what if any fire measures are currently not present with regard to your building or fire-related lifts.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is important for duty holders to carefully assess the lifts they refer to as "The Fireman's Lift" in different buildings. While this may not be an immediate cause for concern, it is possible that these lifts were installed to meet old code standards and therefore may not fully comply to those applicable today. This article has aimed to provide a brief overview of the regulatory requirements and best practices for fire-fighting arrangements, considering the compliance of lift installations within the broader context of fire safety standards and strategies in buildings.

The introduction of the Building Safety Act and the Fire Safety Regulations by the Government in 2022 has prioritised the enhancement of safety in new and existing buildings. These legislative measures underscore the significance of safe and efficient design & maintenance of building services while promptly addressing any defects. It is crucial to note that these regulations have implications for lift management and impose additional responsibilities on responsible persons, particularly regarding the proper maintenance of lifts used for firefighting and evacuation.

To ensure compliance, duty holders should pay specific attention to high-rise residential buildings or higher-risk structures as defined by the Fire Safety Regulations and Building Safety Act. Additionally, it is advisable to refer to relevant standards such as BS EN 81-72:2015, BS EN 81-50:2020, Building Regulations 2010 - Approved Document B, and BS 9999:2017, which provide valuable guidance on fire safety in building design, management, and use.

When assessing lifts, responsible persons should ensure performance of routine checks, promptly rectify any faults, and maintain comprehensive records accessible to residents. For firefighting and evacuation lifts, monthly lift maintenance regimes should be established, and careful consideration should be given to the age and condition of the lifts, along with the adequacy of the existing maintenance regime. Engaging a lift consultant to conduct surveys against relevant standards may be beneficial in assessing the fire measures present in the building and the compliance of fire-related lifts.

By adhering to these measures and seeking professional guidance, duty holders can ensure the utmost safety and compliance in their buildings' lift installations and fire safety practices.