LIFTS
‘No two projects likely to be the same’ for hospital lifts
Graham Barker, a Partner and the head of Vertical Transportation at multidisciplinary engineering consultancy, Cundall, discusses some of his experience delivering lift projects in the NHS, and some of the consistent issues he has encountered, and how these can best be addressed. He also highlights the key guidance and regulatory requirements for the safe operation and maintenance of lifts in healthcare premises, the ramifications of BT’s decision to switch off the existing analogue (copper) phone line system from September 2025, and the key capital investment considerations around new or refurbished lifts.
Within the UK lift industry, there has been a regulatory requirement to fit communication devices to new passenger lifts since the introduction of EN 81-1 and EN 81-2 in 1998. However, most lifts in a hospital environment had telephones within them long before this. While the majority of lifts installed in the UK have communication systems which dial out to the lift maintenance company, in hospital locations it is usual that lift communication systems call an emergency phone within the hospital’s emergency contact centre. It’s essential that lift emergency communications are operational, and that they connect to a 24/7 emergency contact centre where staff can arrange for the rescue of the trapped passengers.
Daily checks HTM 08-02: Lifts recommends that lift communication systems are checked daily. This should form part of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the identified Lift Stewards (a defined role under the HTM). Note that the standard associated with lift communication (EN81-28) requires that lift emergency communication systems are checked at least every 72 hours. This means that Trust Estates teams will typically find that they have two different types of lift telecom systems to manage: 1. Internal telephone line connections in a hospital environment.
2. Externally connected communications which use the BT network (typically for non-hospital locations and community premises).
BT has announced that from September 2025, the existing analogue (copper) phone line system will be switched off. The plan, which has been ongoing for some years now, is that by this date existing analogue phone line customers will have been migrated onto digital IP-based phone systems. This issue will affect all lift communication systems which use the BT phone network.
Above left: A new lift landing. Above right: A new lift car interior. Each lift is generally different from another, meaning that a refurbishment or replacement project will need to be designed and developed specifically for that individual lift.
From a lift communication system perspective there are going to be challenges. Most older existing auto- dialler devices will not be compatible with the switch to IP networks, and will need upgrading to new systems or to have new GSM phone lines fitted. If a change is not made, this has the potential to cause a safety issue in the event of lift breakdown and entrapment, with the lack of emergency communications causing non- compliance, and the inability of trapped passengers to contact a rescue service.
Potential solutions for lift system owners What should those responsible for lifts do? The network change is coming, but if suitably prepared and planned it can be managed effectively. I would suggest following these four steps to make sure
that your lifts are ready: 1. Know how these changes affect your lifts: The first step is to understand how your lifts are affected. Find out what communication and telecoms systems your lifts have. The key consideration is knowing which use a BT line. 2. Consider the potential solutions for your lift communications: The most likely solution will be to install a Global Service Mobile (GSM) integrated emergency auto- dialler or GSM gateway units to modify existing auto-diallers. They have many benefits, as they don’t require a fixed line, data can be readily transmitted over the mobile network, and the units are battery- supported, ensuring that the associated alarm system will still work in the event of a power failure (as required by BS EN 81-28). Note that if an existing auto-dialler
May 2024 Health Estate Journal 63
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