Safety of lifts: modernisation of existing lifts

To ensure the safety of users and that of others (fitters, maintenance and modernisation technicians, inspectors and checkers), lifts must meet a number of technical requirements.

Laws and regulations

Obligations for the owner or manager

Laws and regulations

The Royal Decree of 9 March 2003 regarding the safety of lifts sets out the requirements for the use of lifts. The decree contains instructions for the maintenance and inspection, as well as the modernisation of the lifts.
This Royal Decree made available to owners and managers of lifts a series of specific procedures and timetables to enable them to use, maintain and inspect the lift in total safety throughout its lifetime.

This regulation applies to all lifts, whether for business or private use.

Obligations for the owner or manager

The following actions must be executed to demonstrate a lift’s compliance with the requirements of this Royal Decree:

• regular preventive maintenance by a maintenance company;
• regular preventive inspections by a SECT (external service for technical inspection);
• a risk assessment carried out every ten years by a SECT of their choice;
• if necessary, to arrange for modernisation work by a specialist firm;
• to establish and maintain a safety record including all documents relating to the maintenance, inspections and modernisation.

If the risk assessment shows that upgrades are required, you have until 1 January 2013 or until 1 January 2018 (depending on the type of measure) to do so. If there are serious risks, the apparatus must immediately be taken out of use for repairs and maintenance. The use of the lift is prohibited until the necessary works have been completed.

Each lift car must display a number of notices:

• the identification number and year of construction of the lift;
• the maximum number of people the lift can carry;
• the contact details of the owner or manager;
• the name of the SECT which conducts inspections;
• the name of the maintenance company.