SAFETY, FIRE & SECURITY


Lifts, legislation and listed buildings: a balancing act for engineers


As remediation and retrofit programmes accelerate across the UK, lift upgrades are increasingly emerging as a key interface between fire safety, accessibility and heritage protection. At the same time, evolving requirements under the Building Safety Act 2022, the Fire Safety Act 2021 and EN 81-80:2019 are placing greater scrutiny on the performance, resilience and compliance of vertical transport systems. Dr Peter Rumley, principal, Cornwallis Rumley Heritage Consultants offers some insight


H


owever, in listed and historic buildings, compliance cannot be approached as a purely engineering exercise. Any intervention to lift shafts, cars, machine spaces or lobbies may


directly affect fabric protected under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. In practice, this means that even relatively standard upgrade works can trigger Listed Building Consent, detailed heritage assessments and engagement with conservation officers. For engineers, this introduces an additional layer of constraint. Lift shafts, structural openings and associated plant are often integral to the building’s historic significance. Alterations such as modifying guide rails, introducing fire-rated enclosures, or deepening pits can all impact protected elements. Even structures within the curtilage of a listed building may fall within scope. From a project delivery perspective, lift retrofit must therefore be treated as a coordinated engineering and heritage strategy from the outset. Without early alignment between building services engineers, fire engineers, specialist suppliers and heritage consultants, projects can stall through redesign, delayed approvals or conflicting technical requirements. The consequences extend beyond programme risk, potentially leading to compliance failures, cost escalation and professional liability.


Fire safety without compromise


From a fire engineering standpoint, lift shafts present a well-established risk. They can act as vertical pathways for smoke and hot gases, facilitating rapid fire spread between compartments. Current guidance increasingly expects fire-rated shafts, protected lobbies and, where evacuation lifts are introduced, enhanced resilience including secondary power supplies.


In new-build environments, these requirements


are typically resolved through integrated compartmentation strategies. In heritage buildings, however, implementation is significantly more complex. Introducing fire-rated lobbies may require


reworking constrained circulation layouts, while upgrading shaft linings to achieve 60- or 120-minutes’ fire resistance can conflict with historic finishes such as timber panelling, plasterwork or decorative metalwork. Even relatively minor interventions, such as containment routes for cabling, can present challenges where surface integrity must be preserved. Smoke control strategies require similar sensitivity. Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs) can support shaft ventilation, but their introduction into historic roof structures may raise both visual and structural concerns. Aspirating smoke


detection systems offer early detection benefits but require careful coordination to ensure pipework integration does not compromise the building’s character.


For engineers, the challenge is less about selecting compliant systems and more about how those systems are integrated in a way that is both technically effective and minimally intrusive.


Minimising intervention


Given these constraints, minimising physical intervention becomes a central engineering principle. Advances in lift technology are increasingly supporting this approach. Traditional traction systems relied on large motors housed in separate machine rooms. Modern machine-room-less (MRL) systems instead integrate compact, gearless motors within the shaft, removing the need for additional plant space and reducing structural load requirements. The reduced weight of contemporary systems can eliminate the need for new structural supports, while in some cases existing guide rails can be retained where alignment and condition permit. This reduces drilling, vibration and disturbance to historic fabric. Further opportunities lie in the specification of low-profile components, modern control systems and wireless technologies, all of which can reduce the extent of invasive works. For engineers, these solutions provide a practical route to achieving compliance while working within the constraints of protected buildings.


Location, location, location


When introducing new lifts, spatial planning becomes critical. Identifying suitable locations, such as secondary circulation zones, redundant shafts or service areas, can significantly reduce impact on primary historic spaces. At feasibility stage, it is essential that fire strategy, structural considerations and access requirements are mapped against a clear understanding of the building’s significance. This allows project teams to distinguish between high-sensitivity areas and those with greater capacity for intervention. Groundworks can introduce further complexity. New lift pits may require excavation in archaeologically sensitive areas, triggering additional assessments or site supervision. These are not optional processes but part of the statutory framework governing historic assets, and they must be factored into programme and cost planning from the outset.


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Complicating matters further, professional perspectives may diverge. A fire engineer’s preferred solution may not align with conservation priorities, and interpretation can vary between local authorities. In this context, evidence-based design and clear justification are essential. A robust Heritage Impact Assessment provides the technical and regulatory foundation for these discussions.


Retrofit as an integrated exercise


Heritage constraints should not be seen as barriers to compliance, but as design parameters. When approached holistically, lift retrofit can deliver outcomes that meet fire safety requirements, maintain accessibility and preserve historic value.


For engineers, the key is early and integrated engagement. Involving heritage specialists, fire engineers, contractors and lift suppliers such as PEW Electrical at concept stage enables risks to be identified and mitigated before designs are fixed. This approach reduces the likelihood of


rework, supports a coherent consent strategy and ensures that safety improvements are both deliverable and sustainable. It also strengthens the technical narrative required to secure approvals. In heritage retrofit, there is rarely a single optimal solution. However, there is a robust process. Following that process is what ultimately enables compliant, technically sound and sensitive lift upgrades that support both building performance and long-term preservation.


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