LOLER, EN 81 and compliance made simple

Keeping a lift compliant should not be confusing. If you are a facilities manager, managing agent, or duty holder, you need clear steps, not legal jargon. This guide cuts through the noise so you know what to do, when to do it, and who is responsible.

Altius Lifts supports compliant, reliable operation across Greater Manchester and the UK. We coordinate examinations, keep documentation in order, and help you manage rescue arrangements so building users stay safe and your lift stays available.

If you would like practical help now, book a free site survey or compliance review and we will map out the actions for you.

Maintenance, thorough examination, and routine inspections

These terms are often mixed up, but they are not the same.

• Maintenance: planned servicing to keep the lift safe and reliable. Engineers clean, adjust, lubricate, test functions, and replace worn parts to prevent faults. Most sites benefit from quarterly servicing, though usage and risk may justify more frequent visits.
• Thorough examination under LOLER: a formal, independent assessment by a competent person to judge whether the lift is safe for continued use. It is not the same as servicing and does not replace maintenance.
• Routine inspections or checks: simple in-house checks between service visits, for example ride quality, door operation, indicators, and alarms. These do not replace servicing or a LOLER thorough examination.

Duty holders are responsible for all three. In practice, you appoint a maintenance provider, engage a competent examiner for LOLER, and brief site staff to report issues promptly.

LOLER in plain English

LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) covers the safe use and thorough examination of lifting equipment, including passenger and goods lifts. A competent person carries out a thorough examination at set intervals and issues a report listing any defects, actions, and timescales.

Typical intervals:

• Passenger carrying lifts: every 6 months.
• Goods-only lifts without passengers: every 12 months.
• After substantial modification or exceptional circumstances, an ad hoc thorough examination may be required.

If a defect is reported, act within the stated timeframe and retain evidence of remedial work. Keep thorough examination reports, maintenance records, defect notices, and invoices or certificates that prove close-out.

Can you do your own LOLER? No. The competent person must be sufficiently independent and impartial, with the right knowledge and experience. Your maintenance provider can coordinate with an independent examiner if needed.

EN 81 and allied standards explained

EN 81 standards set out safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts. The current framework relevant to most modern passenger and goods passenger lifts includes EN 81-20 and EN 81-50, alongside topic-specific standards such as BS EN 81-70.

• EN 81-20: the safety requirements for the design and construction of passenger and goods passenger lifts. It covers the car, hoistway, landings, doors, clearances, lighting, strength, and user safety features.
• EN 81-50: the examination, testing, and marking requirements for lift components and sub-systems. Think of it as how components are verified and tested to meet EN 81-20 design goals. The latest consolidated edition currently in use is EN 81-50:2020 with amendments adopted in the UK as BS EN 81-50. Always confirm applicability for your installation date and scope of works.

Complementary standards and guidance:

• BS EN 81-70: accessibility to lifts for persons, including persons with disability. It covers car size options, controls, indicators, door timings, audibility, and visual contrast.
• BS 7255:2023: safe working on lifts. For building managers, the big takeaways are rescue readiness, equipment availability, and key control. Rescue equipment must be readily available to authorised and trained persons for safe passenger release. Keep release keys securely controlled but accessible without delay to authorised personnel. Document procedures and train staff where required.
• BS EN 81-31: power-operated lift platforms for goods (often goods-only or attended goods lifts). It defines safety rules and use cases distinct from passenger carrying lifts.
• Building Regulations Part M: access to and use of buildings. Part M sets functional requirements on accessibility. Lifts are a key means of compliance, and BS EN 81-70 provides the technical routes many designers follow to meet Part M objectives.

If you are planning upgrades or a new installation, we can align specifications with EN 81-20 and EN 81-50, address accessibility via BS EN 81-70, and advise where Part M drives size, controls, and signage.

Who is responsible and how often to act

The duty holder is responsible for safe operation. In a managed building, this is typically the building owner, employer, or managing agent acting for the owner.

What you should schedule:

• Routine servicing: usually every 3 months, adjusted for duty and environment.
• LOLER thorough examination: 6 months for passenger carrying lifts, 12 months for goods-only lifts, or as directed by the competent person.
• Documentation reviews: after every service and examination, file records and track corrective actions to completion.
• Rescue readiness checks: confirm keys, trained personnel, and procedures are in place and accessible without delay, in line with BS 7255:2023.

How Altius Lifts keeps compliance simple

We focus on practical steps:

• Site compliance reviews that map your lifts against LOLER, EN 81, BS 7255:2023, BS EN 81-70, and Part M touchpoints.
• Risk assessments and preventative maintenance plans.
• Coordination with competent examiners for thorough examinations.
• Clear documentation packs with examination reports, maintenance records, defect close-out evidence, and a simple action tracker.
• Training guidance for duty holders and concierge or FM teams on basic checks, fault reporting, and rescue readiness.
• Secure key management advice so authorised people can act quickly and safely.

Need local support now? Explore our planned maintenance options in Greater Manchester, including responsive cover and compliance coordination through our lift maintenance pages.

Practical scenarios you might face

• A passenger becomes trapped. You call us. Because rescue keys are controlled on site and authorised staff are trained, we release the passenger quickly and safely, then diagnose the cause and return the lift to service where possible.
• Your examiner issues a 6-monthly report with a time-bound defect. We schedule the remedial work, document completion, and file the evidence so you are inspection-ready.
• You plan a refurbishment. We review EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 implications, identify BS EN 81-70 accessibility upgrades, and confirm how Part M affects car size and controls.

If you are assessing upgrades in Greater Manchester, see how we support modernisation projects or book a free survey to scope your options.

FAQ

• Do lifts need a LOLER inspection? Yes. Passenger and goods passenger lifts require a LOLER thorough examination at defined intervals in addition to routine servicing.
• Is LOLER 6 months or 12 months? Passenger carrying lifts are typically examined every 6 months. Goods-only lifts are typically examined every 12 months.
• How often do lifts need to be inspected? Service visits are usually quarterly. LOLER thorough examinations are 6 or 12 months depending on use. Your competent person may vary this based on risk.
• Can I do my own LOLER inspection? No. It must be completed by a competent, independent person with sufficient knowledge and experience.
• Does LOLER apply to residential lifts? If a lift is used by employees or the public, LOLER generally applies. In private single dwellings without work activities, different rules can apply. For residential blocks with communal lifts, LOLER usually applies.
• What is EN 81-20 and EN 81-50? EN 81-20 sets design and safety requirements for lifts. EN 81-50 sets component examination and testing requirements that underpin EN 81-20 compliance.
• What is the difference between EN 81-20 and EN 81-50? EN 81-20 is about how lifts are designed and built for safety. EN 81-50 is about how components are tested, examined, and marked to meet those safety aims.
• What is the latest version of EN 81-50? The current consolidated edition in use is EN 81-50:2020 as adopted in the UK as BS EN 81-50. Always check applicability for your project.
• What is BS EN 81-31? It covers power-operated lift platforms for goods. It is distinct from passenger carrying lift standards.

Next steps

If you need a clear compliance plan, Altius Lifts can help. Book a free site survey or compliance review and we will set out servicing, LOLER scheduling, documentation, and rescue readiness tailored to your building.

Looking for dependable local support in Greater Manchester? Learn more about our lift maintenance service, our modernisation capability, or speak with an engineer today. We are available 24/7 for advice and emergency response.

Internal resources you may find helpful:

• Learn about our planned maintenance service in Manchester at our lift servicing page: https://altiuslifts.co.uk/services/planned-maintenance
• Considering upgrades? See our lift modernisation support: https://altiuslifts.co.uk/services/lift-modernisation
• Planning a new installation aligned with EN 81 and Part M? Explore new lift installations: https://altiuslifts.co.uk/services/new-lift-installations
• Need urgent repairs? See our breakdowns and repairs support: https://altiuslifts.co.uk/services/breakdowns-repairs

We are here to make compliance straightforward, with practical steps that keep people safe and lifts running. Book your free site survey or compliance review today.