BS 5655-6:2011

What is this standard about?

This is Part 6 in a multi-part standard on lifts. This part deals with choosing, locating and installing new passenger and passenger/goods lifts.

Who is this standard for?

• Clients
• Architects
• Principal contractors
• Building owners
• Building managers
• Developers
• General and specialized engineering consultants
• Lift contractors

Why should you use this standard?

It gives recommendations for the selection, installation and location of new passenger and passenger/goods lifts in the following classifications:

• Class I – Lifts designed for the transport of persons
• Class II – Lifts designed mainly for the transport of persons but in which goods may be carried
• Class III – Lifts designed for health care purposes, including hospitals and nursing homes
• Class IV – Lifts designed for the transport of goods that are generally accompanied by persons
• Class VI – Lifts designed to suit buildings with intensive traffic, i.e. lifts with speeds of 2.5m/s and above

It also gives recommendation for issues relating to the selection and installation of lifts, such as building design.

NOTE: This standard only applies to the early stages of a project and does not give recommendations for existing lift installations. It should be read in conjunction with BS 7255 which gives recommendations for safe working on lifts that are additional to the features recommended in this standard and apply when installing, examining, inspecting, testing, servicing, repairing, dismantling and demolishing permanent lift installations.

What’s changed since the last update?

This is a full revision of the 2002 standard, and introduces the following principal changes:

• The clauses on technology have been updated
• Energy efficiency considerations have been included
• The annexes have been updated and three new annexes added covering traffic control systems, energy efficiency and the principal requirements in the provision of lifts for persons with impaired mobility