New BSI evacuation standard outlines accessible lift use

New lift rules address disability evacuation in the UK

BSI Group has published BS EN 81-76:2025, a revised standard addressing the use of lifts for the evacuation of persons with disabilities in the UK.

The organisation said the new standard updates previous guidance and introduces three operational modes to support different building types and evacuation strategies.

BSI said the standard applies to new passenger and goods passenger lifts and forms part of the wider BS EN 81 series that sets out safety rules for lift design and installation.

The 2025 edition replaces CEN/TS 81-76:2011 and reflects updated approaches to accessibility, evacuation planning, and fire safety in the built environment.

According to BSI, professionals involved in lift design, installation and facility management are encouraged to review the standard to support compliance and safe evacuation planning.

Standard outlines where evacuation lifts apply

BSI said the standard specifies additional requirements to EN 81-20:2020 for passenger and goods passenger lifts that may be used during evacuation.

The organisation explained that the guidance supports evacuation during a fire alarm but does not apply to emergency conditions such as flooding, earthquakes, or chemical attacks.

In these cases, BSI said further risk assessment measures would be needed beyond those covered in the standard.

It added that BS EN 81-76:2025 also does not apply to lifts manufactured before its publication date.

According to the organisation, the standard excludes scenarios involving fire or smoke in lift wells, water ingress, entrapment in waiting areas, structural failure, and harmful atmospheres.

BSI noted that the document is a type-C standard under EN ISO 12100, and therefore takes precedence where its requirements differ from type-A or type-B machinery safety standards.

Three modes of evacuation operation included

The new standard defines three optional modes for evacuation lift operation: driver assisted, automatic, and remote assisted.

According to BSI, “driver assisted evacuation operation” refers to a trained assistant manually controlling the evacuation lift, a model previously outlined in the 2011 technical specification.

The “automatic evacuation operation” option, the organisation said, supports independent evacuation by individuals with disabilities, provided a suitable fire alarm and lift system are in place.

“Remote assisted evacuation operation” allows the lift to be operated externally from outside the lift car, ideally within the same building, BSI added.

These modes are intended to accommodate a range of evacuation needs depending on building type, layout, staffing, and system complexity.

Class A and Class B lift categories introduced

BSI said the standard introduces two categories of evacuation lifts: Class A and Class B.

Class A lifts are intended for simpler building types, such as residential structures where firefighter lifts are not required and where only one evacuation floor is designated.

BSI stated that these lifts do not require secondary power supply or prioritised landing service and can include automatic rescue operation if needed.

Class B lifts, by contrast, include additional control and size requirements, BSI explained.

These lifts may be used in buildings with more complex evacuation strategies and allow for remote assisted evacuation mode where specified.

The organisation said car size, power backup, and landing service requirements differ between the two classes to match evacuation demands.

Applicability and stakeholder relevance

BSI stated that the document is particularly relevant for manufacturers, health and safety regulators, and market surveillance bodies.

It said the drafting process involved stakeholders across industry, safety bodies, and user groups, including organisations representing persons with disabilities.

According to the organisation, machine users, employers, trade unions, and service providers are also affected by the safety levels described.

BSI said the document includes Annexes B, C and D covering the concept of evacuation lifts, information for use based on building-specific conditions, and listed hazards respectively.

The organisation emphasised that building owners and facility managers should familiarise themselves with the guidance, especially where occupants include people requiring assistance in emergencies.

New BSI evacuation standard outlines accessible lift use: Summary

BSI Group has published BS EN 81-76:2025.

The standard applies to new passenger and goods passenger lifts.

It is intended to support evacuation of persons with disabilities.

The document outlines three evacuation lift operation modes.

These include driver assisted, automatic, and remote assisted.

It defines two classes of lifts: Class A and Class B.

Class A lifts are for simple building evacuation needs.

Class B lifts are for complex settings and offer more features.

The standard excludes use during chemical, flood or seismic emergencies.

It does not apply to lifts built before its publication.

It is a type-C standard and overrides conflicting type-A or type-B guidance.

Stakeholders involved in drafting included regulators and disability organisations.

The standard is part of the wider BS EN 81 lift safety series.