Lifts play a crucial role in modern buildings, providing essential access for residents, employees, and visitors alike. Whether in residential flats, office buildings, or commercial spaces, proper lift maintenance is vital to ensuring safety, compliance with legal requirements, and the longevity of the equipment.
At Lansdown Insurance Brokers, we recognise the importance of protecting your building’s assets, including lifts. We offer specialist lift maintenance as part of our Blocks of Flats Insurance, ensuring that property owners and landlords have comprehensive coverage against potential risks.
Why is Lift Maintenance Important?
Regular lift maintenance is essential for preventing unexpected breakdowns, ensuring smooth operation, and prolonging the lifespan of the installation. Without adequate servicing, lifts can become unreliable and potentially dangerous, leading to costly repairs and safety concerns.
Legal Compliance
- Lift maintenance is not just a best practice – it is a legal requirement, as required by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). In addition to this, The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) mandates that lifts undergo thorough examinations every six months. These examinations ensure that the lift is in a safe working condition and meets all regulatory requirements.
Safety of Users
- A well-maintained lift minimises the risk of mechanical failure, reducing the likelihood of accidents or entrapment. Regular servicing helps detect early signs of wear and tear, preventing minor issues from escalating into serious problems.
Cost-Effectiveness
- Routine maintenance can significantly reduce long-term costs. Minor repairs and servicing are far more cost-effective than emergency call-outs or full lift replacements. By proactively maintaining your lift, you can avoid unexpected downtime and expensive repairs.
The Role of LOLER Examinations
LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) ensures that all lifting equipment, including lifts, is thoroughly examined and maintained for safe operation. While regular maintenance is crucial, it should never replace statutory LOLER examinations.
Raj Poselay, Distribution Manager at Midlands & South at Allianz Engineering Inspection Services Ltd, explains the importance of this distinction:
“Regular lift maintenance is essential for ensuring reliability and safety of your installation. Maintenance is a legal requirement in itself, but it should never be seen as a substitute for the statutory 6 monthly LOLER examination.
Whilst periodic maintenance helps to prevent wear and tear, statutory examinations provide an independent, in-depth assessment to confirm compliance with safety regulations, identify potential risks that routine servicing might not detect and confirm that the installation is safe for continued use. Together, they form a crucial partnership in keeping lifts safe, efficient, and legally compliant.”
How Can Property Owners Stay Compliant?
To ensure compliance and safety, property owners and landlords should:
- Schedule Regular Maintenance – Engage a qualified lift maintenance provider to perform routine servicing
- Ensure LOLER Examinations – Arrange for independent statutory inspections every six months, and after exceptional circumstances such as major repairs, modifications and refurbishments
- Keep Maintenance Records – Maintain detailed records of all lift servicing and examinations to demonstrate compliance
- Act on Inspection Findings – If any issues are identified during inspections, ensure that necessary repairs or adjustments are made promptly
Protecting Your Investment
Lifts are a significant investment, and proper maintenance is the best way to protect that investment. By implementing a robust maintenance strategy and adhering to statutory LOLER examinations, property owners can keep their lifts operating smoothly, ensure legal compliance, and most importantly, safeguard the people who rely on them daily.
About Lansdown Insurance Brokers
Lansdown Insurance Brokers are specialists in Landlord Insurance and Block of Flats Insurance. We are able to provide flexible policies to suit your requirements and provide advice on what cover is needed. For more information call the team on 01242 524498 or email enquiries@lansdowninsurance.com.
Lansdown is part of the Benefact Group, a charity-owned, international family of financial services companies that gives all available profits to charity and good causes.