At Lift Services, we provide thorough lift safety testing to ensure your passenger and goods lifts meet all legal requirements, operate reliably, and remain safe for users.
Our experienced engineers thoroughly test and verify all key safety features, including emergency brakes, overspeed devices, communication systems, and load capacity.
Regular lift safety testing is crucial for ensuring passenger safety, protecting your investment, and maintaining compliance with UK regulations.
We provide thorough, accurate, and timely testing for all lift types, supported by clear reports and expert repair solutions when needed.
Request a free quote for lift safety testing services from our licensed team today.
What Is Lift Safety Testing?
Lift safety testing is the process of examining and verifying the functionality of all safety-critical components of a lift. This includes mechanical, electrical, and control systems, as well as emergency and passenger protection features.
The purpose is to ensure the lift operates within safe limits, complies with LOLER and BS EN 81 standards, and continues to perform reliably under normal and emergency conditions.
How Often Should Lifts Be Safety Tested?
The frequency of safety testing depends on the type of lift, its usage, and regulatory requirements. Passenger lifts are generally tested at least every six months, while goods-only lifts may be tested annually.
In high-traffic environments such as hospitals, care homes, and busy commercial buildings, more frequent testing may be necessary to manage wear and reduce risk.
Testing schedules are often combined with statutory LOLER inspections to maintain efficiency and compliance.
What Does Lift Safety Testing Include?
Safety testing covers a range of checks and operational simulations. This includes testing overspeed governors, safety brakes, and load-weighing systems, as well as verifying emergency alarms, intercoms, and lighting.
Door safety devices are examined to ensure they respond correctly, and ride comfort is assessed for smooth acceleration and deceleration.
Where applicable, we also perform load testing to confirm the lift can safely carry its rated capacity without performance issues.
What Are The Benefits Of Lift Safety Testing?
The benefits of lift safety testing include preventing accidents, meeting compliance requirements, and extending the life of your lift.
Protects passengers and staff by identifying safety issues before they cause harm
Reduces breakdown risk through proactive fault detection
Minimises downtime by addressing defects early
Extends service life of the lift through regular monitoring
Improves reliability and user confidence
Who Can Carry Out Lift Safety Testing?
Lift safety testing must be carried out by a qualified and competent lift engineer with the technical knowledge to assess and verify compliance.
At Lift Services, our engineersare trained to test all lift types, ranging from modern traction systems to older hydraulic units. We collaborate with both in-house teams and independent inspection bodies to ensure impartial results.
How Much Does Lift Safety Testing Cost?
A standard safety test for a passenger lift costs between £150 and £300.
Costs depend on the type of lift, its capacity, and the complexity of its systems.
Larger, more complex lifts or those in specialist environments may incur higher costs.
Multi-lift sites often benefit from discounted rates when tests are booked together.
All pricing is transparent and agreed upon prior to work commencing.
What Happens If A Lift Fails Its Safety Test?
If your lift fails its safety test, it may need to be taken out of service immediately if the defect poses a danger.
Our team will provide a detailed report of the fault, recommend repairs, and offer a fast turnaround to restore compliance.
For less severe defects, the lift can often remain in service under monitoring while repairs are scheduled, provided it remains safe for users.
Can LOLER Inspections Be Combined With Lift Safety Testing?
Many clients choose to combine safety testing with their statutory LOLER inspections to save time and reduce disruption. This approach ensures the lift is not only legally compliant but also functioning to the highest safety and performance standards.
Here’s an extended FAQ section for your Lift Compliance Upgrades service page, with each answer more than two lines for depth and SEO value.
How Do I Know If My Lift Needs A Compliance Upgrade?
The best way to determine if your lift needs an upgrade is to review its most recent LOLER inspection or compliance report.
If the report highlights non-conformities or recommends improvements to meet current BS EN 81 or Equality Act standards, an upgrade is necessary.
Older lifts, particularly those installed more than 10–15 years ago, are more likely to require updates to meet modern safety and accessibility requirements.
What Happens If My Lift Is Not Compliant?
If your lift fails to meet current UK lift regulations, you may face legal enforcement from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or local authorities.
Non-compliance can also lead to invalid insurance coverage, meaning you could be held financially liable for any accidents or injuries.
In some cases, a non-compliant lift may be taken out of service until the required upgrades are completed.
Are Compliance Upgrades Mandatory After A LOLER Inspection?
If a LOLER inspection identifies safety defects or non-compliant components, the recommended upgrades are effectively mandatory to keep the lift operational.
Serious issues may require immediate action before the lift can be returned to service, while less urgent matters will be given a compliance deadline.
Failing to heed these recommendations can result in legal and safety risks.
Can Compliance Upgrades Improve Lift Energy Efficiency?
Many compliance upgrades also bring energy efficiency benefits.
Replacing older control systems with modern microprocessor-based units can reduce power consumption.
Adding LED lighting, installing regenerative drives, and optimising motor control can all cut energy costs while meeting the latest efficiency standards.
Can You Upgrade My Lift Without Replacing It Completely?
We can upgrade your lift without replacing it completely through a targeted modernisation or refurbishment programme. This approach allows you to retain the lift’s main structural elements, such as the shaft, guide rails, and car frame, while replacing outdated or unreliable components like control panels, motors, door operators, lighting, and interior finishes.
It's a cost-effective solution that improves performance, safety, accessibility, and compliance with current UK regulations (including BS EN 81, LOLER 1998, and PUWER 1998) without the higher cost and disruption of a full replacement.
We tailor each upgrade to your building’s needs, offering phased works, custom designs, and extended warranties to maximise your lift’s lifespan and operational value.
Do Compliance Upgrades Affect Lift Performance?
Compliance upgrades often improve lift performance as a secondary benefit.
New control systems can deliver smoother acceleration, improved levelling accuracy, and faster door operation.
Upgraded safety sensors can reduce false stops, while modern components can make the lift quieter and more reliable.
Will Compliance Upgrades Increase My Lift’s Lifespan?
Compliance upgrades can extend your lift’s lifespan by improving its safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.
Upgrading components to meet current UK regulations, such as BS EN 81, LOLER 1998, and PUWER 1998, often involves replacing outdated parts like controllers, braking systems, door mechanisms, and safety circuits, which are also common points of failure in older lifts.
These modern systems are more durable, energy-efficient, and easier to maintain, reducing the frequency of breakdowns and costly repairs over time.
By aligning your lift with current compliance standards, you also reduce the risk of enforcement action, improve passenger safety, and help protect the asset for an additional 10–20 years, depending on the level of upgrade and ongoing maintenance.
How Disruptive Are Compliance Upgrades?
Disruption depends on the scale of the upgrade.
Smaller tasks, such as installing new door sensors or alarms, typically cause minimal downtime and can often be completed within a day.
Larger projects, such as replacing a control system, require more time and may take the lift out of service for one to two weeks.
We plan all work to minimise disruption and can schedule around your building’s busiest times.
Can Compliance Upgrades Make My Lift DDA Or Equality Act Compliant?
Compliance upgrades can be tailored to improve accessibility and meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. This might involve installing tactile and Braille controls, audible floor announcements, improved lighting, or automatic door operation.
These changes ensure that the lift is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
How Soon After An Upgrade Will My Lift Be Certified?
Once the upgrade is complete, the lift will undergo a final inspection or LOLER examination to confirm compliance.
If it passes, you will receive updated certification immediately, confirming that the lift is safe and legally compliant for continued use.
Request a Free Lift Safety Test Quote
Contact Lift Services today to book your lift safety test or request a free quotation.
Our engineers are ready to help you maintain the highest standards of safety and performance.
Contact us today to request a free consultation for lift safety tests.