Building regulations: key guidance for lifts

Here is a handy overview to the key acts, regulations and standards that outline best practice around lifts - ensuring that any commercial/public building is accessible and efficient when moving people. Introduction There are three main items that outline the best practice for making a commercial/public building accessible, namely; The legal framework, the Equality Act The building regulations, Part M Vol.1 & Vol.2 and Part B or Section 4 of the Technical handbook (Scottish Part M Equivalent) The design guidance, the recently updated British Standard BS 8300: 2018 - Part 1 & 2. These all help to outline the legal requirements, what lift to consider in a new building and the preference and guidance on ensuring an accessible lift. The later two highlight specific lift requirements and preferences between the different types of passenger moving lifts. 1. Equality Act 2010.. the legal bit Sometimes, a physical feature of a building (or other premises) can make it more difficult for a person with impaired mobility to access. The Equality Act 2010 (formerly DDA) states that if you're place someone at a substantial disadvantage, you have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments. This is where a lift can play a part. It's possible to install one or more disabled access lifts in most buildings that have two or more floors, or to provide a ramp or step lift where there is a short flight of stairs. Any lift adds value to the commercial property it's placed in by speeding up the movement of people up and down the building, and helps the building owner meet the requirements of the Act.

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