THE LIFT DIRECTIVE 95/16/EC
Products Affected
The Lift Directive covers lifts permanently serving buildings and constructions. It also applies to the safety components for lifts (listed in Annex IV if the Directive). A ‘lift’ is defined as having a car for the transport of persons, which moves between levels along rigid guides which are
inclined at an angle of more than 15 degrees to the horizontal.
Exclusions
- cableways, including funicular railways, for the transportation of persons,
- lifts specially designed and constructed for military or police purposes,
- mine winding gear,
- theatre elevators,
- lifts fitted in means of transport,
- lifts connected to machinery and intended exclusively for access to the workplace,
- rack and pinion trains,
- construction-site hoists intended for lifting persons or persons and goods.
Compliance
Lifts and Safety Components covered by this Directive must satisfy the essential health and safety requirements set out in Annex I of the Directive.
Harmonised Standards. The Essential Requirements may be met by meeting applicable harmonized standards, and it is most important to identify which standards apply . If in doubt contact Atlantic Bridge.
The Directive lays out various routes to compliance. Most routes include a final inspection by a Notified Body selected by the installer. This includes a static test of at least 1.25 times nominal load. Only then can the installer declare that the lift meets the requirements of the Directive and affix the CE Mark. For greater detail of how to comply with the Directive see Chapter II of the Directive.