POWER SUPPLIES LIFTING THE LID ON BATTERY BACKUP


We often assume that lift systems will work when the power goes out, says Matthew Davies from MEMCO by AVIRE, but the reality is, without proper oversight, even well-installed systems can fail silently. What can FMs do about it?


As buildings grow taller and more reliant on vertical transportation, the safety and reliability of lifts during power outages is critical. One of the most overlooked threats to that safety is lift battery backup failure, a vulnerability that can disable key emergency systems when they are needed most.


This issue was brought to the forefront at a recent seminar hosted by the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), which explored the systemic risks posed by inadequate or failing emergency power supplies in lifts. Matthew Davies from MEMCO by AVIRE, who attended the session, commented: "These systems will just work when the power goes out, but the reality is, without proper oversight, even well-installed systems can fail silently.”


What the standards require BS EN81-28 and BS EN81-20 outline key requirements for lift safety during power failures:


• Autodiallers must remain operational for at least one hour, including a minimum of 15 minutes of two-way voice communication.


• Emergency lighting must function for at least one hour.


• Passenger release systems must enable the car to move to an adjacent landing within one hour of a breakdown.


While these standards are well established, compliance in practice is inconsistent. An audit by D2E International, covering 2,600 lifts across 20 UK portfolios, revealed that 20% of lifts had at least one safety or compliance issue, and 84% of these were due to battery backup failures, affecting lighting, communication, and release systems. Perhaps most concerning was that 10% of autodiallers failed during mains power outages, removing the ability for passengers to call for help.


A widespread problem across the UK Additional data shared during the seminar by Zurich Insurance further reinforces the extent of the issue. Across over 3,500 lifts inspected, autodialler faults were recorded throughout the country:


• South: 640 faults • Central and Wales: 413 faults • North and Scotland: 438 faults


These numbers show that autodialler failure is a nationwide concern, with implications for facilities teams managing everything from commercial blocks to residential complexes.


What duty holders need to know Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998, facilities managers and building owners are the duty holders responsible for


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ensuring lifting equipment is safe and maintained. This includes emergency systems, which must not only exist but also perform reliably in real- world scenarios.


Battery systems are often neglected during routine inspections, particularly in older buildings. While lighting and autodiallers have defined backup requirements, systems such as passenger release often rely on the interpretation of their intended function. As Davies explains: “There’s a general expectation that backup systems provide an hour of support, which aligns with other emergency protocols. But the challenge is, not all lift systems are monitored closely enough to ensure that support is actually available when it’s needed.”


Monitoring for confidence, not just compliance While statutory inspections remain essential, the industry is moving toward proactive monitoring. Solutions like Sentinel from MEMCO by AVIRE, which provide real-time battery health data, offer a way to bridge the gap between compliance and assurance. Rather than replacing engineering input, these solutions support facilities teams by delivering clearer visibility of system status, allowing issues to be resolved before they become safety risks.


This proactive approach helps teams transition from reactive maintenance to preventative management, ensuring systems perform under pressure when needed most.


Take action before a blackout The Zurich and D2E data confirm what many in the sector suspect: too many lifts across the UK are operating with compromised safety systems. Facilities managers and building owners must respond by assessing their systems, enhancing their monitoring practices, and staying informed about the standards that govern their responsibilities.


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