Lift breakdowns can quickly become stressful and disruptive, especially if passengers get trapped inside. In fact, over 5,000 lift faults happened across Great Britain in just six months, making it essential to be prepared for these situations. At Alliance Platform Lifts, we understand the urgency and provide clear, step-by-step guidance to handle lift emergencies safely and calmly. We not only pinpoint common reasons lifts break down but also focus on proactive, preventive maintenance to help you avoid future issues. Trust our dedicated team, Britain’s leading lift specialists, to keep your building secure, efficient, and operating smoothly, even during unexpected elevator challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Lift breakdowns require calm, immediate action and clear communication to ensure passenger safety and minimise stress.
- Routine maintenance and daily functional checks are essential in reducing lift faults, especially those caused by wear and tear.
- Always rely on trained professionals for lift rescues, never attempting to handle emergencies independently to avoid further risk.
- Assigning a dedicated duty holder to oversee emergency preparedness greatly enhances efficiency and safety during lift malfunctions.
- Alliance Platform Lifts provides proactive maintenance and rapid, expert emergency responses, safeguarding lift reliability and operational continuity.
What Is a Lift Breakdown?
A lift breakdown occurs when an elevator suddenly stops functioning properly, leaving passengers stranded and disrupting building operations. Typical issues include the lift halting between floors, controls becoming unresponsive, or doors failing to open or close correctly. Between April and October 2024 alone, over 5,200 lift faults were recorded across Great Britain, with 63% resulting from everyday wear and tear. Understanding these malfunctions and implementing proactive management strategies are essential for maintaining operational continuity, passenger safety, and avoiding downtime.
What to Do When a Lift Breaks Down
Quick, composed responses are crucial when a lift breakdown occurs. Follow these precise steps:
If You Are Outside the Lift (Building Manager, Staff, Witness)
Stay Calm: Maintain your composure to manage the situation effectively.
Communicate and Reassure: Inform trapped passengers through the intercom or doors that professional assistance is on the way.
Contact Professionals Immediately: Reach out to Alliance Platform Lifts or your lift maintenance provider with exact details, including the building’s address, lift location, and passenger conditions.
Do Not Attempt Self-Rescue: Only trained experts should undertake rescue operations to avoid further injury or damage.
Place Clear Out-of-Order Notices: Ensure all floors display visible signage preventing further use.
Notify Key Personnel: Inform security, management, and necessary stakeholders promptly to coordinate the response effectively.
If You Are Trapped Inside the Lift
Remain Calm: Lift cabins are designed to keep you safe. Maintain calm breathing and avoid panic.
Activate Emergency Communication: Immediately use the emergency intercom or alarm to call for assistance. If unavailable, use a mobile phone to reach the building’s emergency contact.
Avoid Forcing Doors: Do not attempt to open doors independently; it’s hazardous, especially if the lift isn’t level with the floor.
Position at Lift’s Rear: Stand at the back, giving rescuers sufficient space to perform their task.
Wait for Qualified Help: Stay patient and adhere strictly to instructions provided by trained personnel upon arrival.
Emergency Procedures & First Steps
Effective emergency responses require clearly defined and unified procedures. Appoint a dedicated duty holder to be responsible for overseeing the emergency protocols, maintaining precise records, and conducting regular tests on critical systems such as emergency lighting and communication devices. These checks ensure readiness and reliability in case a lift breakdown occurs, protecting passengers and ensuring swift professional intervention.
Common Causes of Lift Breakdowns
Recognising common breakdown causes enables better prevention:
Wear and Tear
Routine degradation from daily usage gradually weakens lift machinery, leading to reduced performance and eventual faults. Regular inspections and timely replacements of worn-out parts are essential to prevent breakdowns caused by wear and tear, which accounts for around 63% of lift malfunctions, significantly impacting building operations and passenger safety.
Misuse and Vandalism
Improper usage, such as exceeding weight limits, forcefully operating doors, or intentional damage from vandalism, contributes to approximately 23% of lift failures. Implementing strict usage policies, educating users, and enhancing security measures can significantly reduce these occurrences, maintaining the lift’s reliability and safety.
External Factors
Environmental and external events, including floods, power surges, or unexpected electrical issues, contribute to around 14% of lift breakdowns. Ensuring robust protective measures, reliable backup systems, and proper environmental controls is crucial for protecting lifts against these external factors, minimising downtime, and maintaining consistent operations.
Preventing Future Lift Failures
Alliance Platform Lifts prioritises robust preventative measures to avoid future breakdowns:
- Scheduled Maintenance: Follow maintenance schedules tailored to the lift’s age, usage patterns, and environment. Our expert servicing adheres to stringent LOLER regulations, conducting mandatory thorough inspections every six months to ensure lift safety, reliability, and compliance.
- Proactive Maintenance: Utilise advanced predictive maintenance strategies to proactively identify and address potential faults before they escalate. This proactive approach significantly extends the lifespan of lifts, minimises operational disruptions, and prevents costly downtime, ensuring continued reliability and safety.
- Daily Functional Checks: Conduct daily inspections of critical components, including emergency communication systems, control responsiveness, levelling accuracy, and operational integrity. Early identification of issues helps maintain lift functionality, safety standards, and operational efficiency, allowing prompt intervention before minor concerns escalate into major problems.
Why Choose Alliance for Emergency Lift Support?
Alliance Platform Lifts is the UK’s most trusted partner for rapid, professional lift breakdown solutions. With 50 specialised engineers available 24/7, we restore your lifts quickly, reliably, and safely.
Our unique collaboration with architects, developers, and property owners delivers bespoke, space-efficient solutions, from luxurious to inviting, residential platform lifts with exceptional finishes. Every solution is precisely configured to maximise your space.
Comprehensive service packages not only address immediate emergencies but also include regular, preventive maintenance to safeguard your investment, minimise disruptions, and deliver lasting confidence.
Related Services: Lift Servicing and Aftercare
Reliable lift operation demands consistent aftercare and expert servicing. Our tailored aftercare packages offer practical, cost-effective solutions, ensuring optimal lift performance and safety throughout their lifecycle. Alliance Platform Lifts adheres strictly to industry-leading standards, securing maximum lift reliability and longevity.
Discover more about our specialised servicing, aftercare solutions, and superior lift products by visiting our dedicated pages for servicing and aftercare.
Choose Alliance Platform Lifts, your trusted expert for robust, dependable lift solutions, ensuring continuous safety, reliability, and peace of mind.
