Commercial lift installations are about more than convenience and must meet operational, legal, and accessibility expectations. For property developers, choosing the right lift impacts tenant satisfaction, operational efficiency, and property value.
Whether you oversee office complexes, retail spaces, hotels, schools, care homes, or hospitality venues, this blog post contains essential guidance on commercial lift installations, including accessibility, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Commercial Lifts for Property Developers to Consider
There are several types of lifts commonly found in commercial properties. Examples include design-led passenger lifts, platform and access lifts, and goods or service lifts. Each type serves a specific purpose and is suited to different building layouts and operational needs. Let's take a closer look at each one.
Design-Led Lifts for Offices and Other Commercial Buildings
When selecting commercial lifts, property developers must balance accessibility compliance, spatial constraints, design, and long-term operational efficiency. In client-facing environments, the lift is often a visible part of the building and can influence how the space is perceived by occupants and visitors alike. As a result, design-led commercial lifts are frequently chosen for developments where both function and appearance matter.
Lifts that fall under this category, such as the Aritco PublicLift Access, can be found in schools, offices, hospitals, care homes, and retail environments, providing a cost-effective route to disability access compliance without major structural work to the building.
Commercial Platform and Access Lifts
Platform and access lifts provide practical wheelchair access in commercial and public buildings where step-free movement is essential. These solutions are commonly used at entrances, between split levels, and in buildings where installing a full passenger lift is not practical or necessary. Designed for short-rise travel, platform and step lifts play a key role in helping buildings meet accessibility requirements while minimising structural changes.
Many platform lifts are designed and manufactured to British Standards and are suitable for both internal and external use. Their compact designs allow them to be installed in locations with limited space, making them well suited to retrofit projects in existing buildings. Different types of platform lifts include open platform, compact step, short-rise, and practical step lifts for independent wheelchair access.
Installations are typically straightforward and can often be completed with minimal disruption to building operations.
Goods and Services Lifts for Businesses
Goods and services lifts are designed to move items safely and efficiently between floors in commercial and industrial buildings. They are commonly found in retail stockrooms, hospitality venues, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities, where the regular movement of stock, equipment, or supplies is essential to daily operations. Examples include the Rhinolift goods lift, which comes in rated loads of 500, 1,000, 1,500 or 2,000kg. By reducing manual handling, goods lifts help improve efficiency, safety, and workflow continuity.
These lifts are engineered specifically for transporting goods rather than passengers and can be tailored to suit the operational needs of a building. Typical applications include the movement of retail stock, catering supplies, laundry, tools, and heavy equipment. Property developers must ensure that installations comply with relevant safety standards, which are often designed to integrate seamlessly into existing buildings or new developments.
Commercial Lift Installation Types
Understanding the different types of lift installation is important for property developers to deliver a safe, efficient, and well-coordinated outcome.
Let's take a look at the options available to property developers.
Turnkey Lift Installations
A turnkey lift installation simplifies the complex logistics of a commercial lift installation, particularly for multi-floor developments with strict deadlines or operational requirements, making it a popular choice for property developers who are often busy juggling planning, construction, legal compliance, finances, and marketing across multiple projects at once.
A turnkey lift installation typically involves:
- Conducting a full site survey and assessment.
- Managing the project from planning to commissioning.
- Coordinating with architects, engineers, and contractors to integrate the lift seamlessly into the building design.
- Ensuring regulatory compliance, including the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) inspections and certification.
- Minimising disruption to construction schedules and ongoing building operations.
Phased or Staged Installation
As its name suggests, this approach is when a lift is installed in stages. It is sometimes preferred for larger developments or buildings that remain partially operational.
Components, such as the shaft, machinery, and lift car, may be installed at different times to minimise disruption or accommodate ongoing construction.
Design-and-Supply Only
This is when a lift supplier provides the lift and technical plans, but the developer or contractor handles the installation for more control. However, this approach requires careful coordination to meet timelines and most importantly, safety standards.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards for Commercial Lifts
Ensuring lifts comply with safety and accessibility regulations is critical for commercial property developers. Non-compliance can lead to legal liabilities, insurance complications, and safety risks for building occupants.
In the next section, we explore the different regulatory compliance and safety standards that apply to commercial lift installations.
LOLER-Compliant Lift Installations
LOLER 1998 governs the safe use of lifting equipment in the UK. A LOLER-compliant lift installation guarantees that the lift has been properly installed, tested, and certified before being used. Regular inspections must be conducted to identify defects and maintain safety throughout the lift's operational life.
Certified Lift Installations for Businesses
Commercial lifts must comply with standards, such as BS EN 81 and UK Building Regulations, including Part M for accessibility. A certified lift installation confirms that the lift has been independently tested and documented according to these standards. Certification provides assurance of quality and safety, which is essential for audit purposes, insurance, and long-term maintenance planning.
Commercial Lift Inspection and Certification
Once a lift is installed, ongoing lift inspection and certification is necessary to maintain compliance and operational reliability. Inspections involve assessing mechanical systems, safety devices, control mechanisms, and emergency procedures.
Regular certification ensures that potential issues are identified early, reduces the risk of downtime, and confirms that the lift continues to meet commercial lift safety standards.
Key Considerations for Commercial Developers
When planning a commercial lift installation, property developers should consider:
- Building usage: Passenger lifts for high-traffic office buildings versus platform lifts for smaller spaces.
- Accessibility compliance: Ensuring lifts meet Part M Building Regulations and Equality Act standards.
- Futureproofing: Selecting lifts that can accommodate increased traffic or changes in building usage.
- Maintenance and inspections: Planning for regular lift inspection and certification to ensure long-term reliability.
For commercial property developers, a successful lift installation is an investment in safety, accessibility, and long-term building performance. Proper planning in these areas ensures lifts operate efficiently, meet safety standards, and provide a positive experience for occupants.
By choosing a reliable, professional lift installer for your commercial property that takes adherence to commercial lift safety standards into consideration, you not only save time and effort, but you obtain peace of mind.
At Premium Lifts, we provide LOLER-compliant lift installation with ongoing inspection and certification, enhancing both the functionality and value of commercial properties.
Whether you're developing office complexes, hotels, retail centres, or public buildings, understanding these key factors will ensure your commercial lifts are installed efficiently, safely, and in compliance with all necessary regulations, benefiting tenants, visitors, and the property itself.
Got a question? Talk to one of our experts; we're always happy to help!