How Often Should Lifts Be Serviced?
Keeping your lifts safe, reliable, and legally compliant starts with one simple step: regular servicing. But how often should you service a lift? And what does the law actually require?
If you’re responsible for managing a building — whether it’s residential, commercial, or public sector — this guide will walk you through the essentials.
Why Lift Servicing Matters
Lifts and escalators are more than just mechanical systems — they’re critical infrastructure. When they stop working, it can cause significant disruption to tenants, staff, customers, or vulnerable residents.
Regular servicing helps to:
- Prevent costly breakdowns
- Extend the life of the equipment
- Maintain safety for users
- Ensure legal compliance
In short: planned servicing costs less than emergency repairs.
Legal Requirements: LOLER & Safety Standards
In the UK, lift owners and duty holders must comply with LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998). This law states that:
“All lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at regular intervals.”
For passenger lifts, this typically means:
- Every 6 months for lifts used to carry people
- Every 12 months for goods-only lifts
You may also need to comply with:
- PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations)
- BS EN 13015 (Maintenance of lifts and escalators)
- SFG20 (industry standard maintenance schedules)
Recommended Lift Servicing Frequency
Beyond legal LOLER inspections, you should also arrange regular preventive maintenance, which checks the general operation, lubrication, wear and safety of your system.
As a general rule:
|
Lift Type |
Recommended Servicing |
|
Passenger lifts |
Every 1–3 months |
|
Platform/access lifts |
Every 3–6 months |
|
Goods/service lifts |
Every 3–6 months |
|
High-usage lifts |
Monthly or bi-monthly |
|
Older lifts |
More frequent visits |
At AMS Group (SW) Ltd, we tailor your service schedule to your building, usage level and manufacturer recommendations.
Signs Your Lift Needs More Frequent Servicing
If you’re seeing any of the following, it may be time to increase your servicing frequency:
- Frequent callouts or minor faults
- Increased downtime or noise during use
- Doors not opening or closing smoothly
- Alarm button not responding correctly
- Overheating in the lift motor room
Speak to your lift service provider if you're unsure — or request a review of your current plan.
Who Can Carry Out Lift Servicing?
Lift servicing must be carried out by a competent and qualified engineer. At AMS Group (SW) Ltd, our engineers are trained in LOLER inspections, BS standards, and manufacturer-specific systems.
We’re trusted by national facilities teams and local businesses alike for:
- Scheduled lift maintenance
- Emergency callouts (24/7)
- Compliance inspections and documentation