What is BS EN 81‑70 about?
BS EN 81 discusses safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts. BS EN 81‑70 is the part of BS EN 81 multi-series and discusses accessibility to lifts for persons including persons with disability.
BS EN 81‑70 specifies the minimum requirements for the safe and independent access and use of lifts by persons, including persons with disabilities.
Note 1
BS EN 81‑70 for guidance on solutions for increased accessibility and usability, see Annex D.
Who is BS EN 81‑70?
BS EN 81‑70 on safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts — particular applications for passenger and goods passenger lift (Part 70: Accessibility to lifts for persons including persons with disability) applies to:
- Lift manufacturer
- Lift maintenance department
- Design Engineers
- Quality control personnel
- Architects
- Builders
Why should you use BS EN 81‑70?
Making lift access for people with disabilities improves access for everyone. Making lifts and facilities physically accessible for people with disabilities also makes them more accessible for people who may not have disabilities, including families with baby strollers, skateboarders, and bicycle riders.
The non-discrimination clause (art 6a) based on disability and age of Article 19 of consolidated version 2016 of the Treaty of Lisbon of the European Union requests a new understanding of diversity of users in the built environment, transport, and products, similar to that established in information and communication technologies.
BS EN 81‑70 provides all the necessary information related to all significant hazards, hazardous situations, and events as far as they are dealt with, identified by risk assessment as significant for this type of machinery and which require actions to eliminate or reduce the risk.
BS EN 81‑70 gives you information on barriers to accessibility and additional risks encountered by the person with a disability or by the devices used by that person are identified BS EN 81‑70 provides you with guidance on the safety requirements and/or protective measures. BS EN 81‑70 provides you with guidance on the design and placement control device. BS EN 81‑70 will help you in ensuring the safety and protection of the lifts for persons with disability.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 81‑70:2021 supersedes BS EN 81‑70:2018, which is withdrawn. BS EN 81‑70:2021 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 81‑70:2018. These include:
- Information on building-related issues deleted and Information in assumptions on negotiations deleted
- Scope editorially modified and normative references updated
- References to negotiations in Clause 5 deleted, optional use of additional control devices deleted and references to EN 81-20 and EN 81-28 deleted in verification table
- Content of information for use updated and annex ZA is modified
