Lift Modernisation in an Apartment Building
Replacing the switchboard, installing a new cabin or new shaft doors does not have to be a mere repair. Depending on the scope of the work, it may be a reconstruction of the lift, which requires an assessment of the technical documentation in advance and an official test after completion. Lift modernisation in an apartment building is therefore not only a question of price and installation quality. What also matters is the correct determination of the type of work, its expert assessment and documentation.
The short answer is this: if a worn part is replaced with an identical or technically equivalent part without changing its properties, it is usually a repair. If the work affects the mode of operation, safety components, performance, controls or the structure of the lift, it may be a reconstruction. In the case of a reconstruction, the technical documentation must be assessed by an authorised legal entity before the work starts, and after completion an installation test and an official test are carried out under Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.
Repair, modernisation or a new lift?
These three situations cannot be treated in the same way. They follow the three levels of lift care we described in our article on the safe operation of lifts in an apartment building:
| Situation | Typical example | What needs to be addressed |
|---|---|---|
| Repair or routine replacement | Replacing a worn part with an identical or equivalent one | Functional test and a record in the technical documentation |
| Reconstruction (modernisation) of the lift | Replacement of the switchboard, controls, drive or shaft doors, or addition of a frequency converter | Assessment of the documentation before the work, installation test and official test |
| Complete replacement of the lift | Dismantling the old lift and installing a new one | Conformity assessment of a new designated product and the related documentation |
The exact classification of the work depends on its technical scope. The label used in the quotation, for example “repair” or “modernisation”, does not by itself determine what kind of work it is from the point of view of the regulations.
When is it no longer just a repair?
A routine repair usually means replacing a damaged or worn component in a way that does not change the technical properties of the lift or the way it is used. Increased attention is needed above all when the work concerns the following parts and parameters:
- the electrical switchboard,
- the control system,
- the lift drive,
- speed or load capacity,
- the stopping method and levelling accuracy,
- shaft or cabin doors,
- safety components,
- communication or emergency equipment,
- the layout or structural design of the lift.
Such work can affect the safety parameters of the equipment. Whether it is a repair or a reconstruction should therefore not be decided only on the basis of the price or the supplier’s statement. When determining the scope of a modernisation, a risk assessment under STN EN 81-80, which categorises the hazards of existing lifts by severity, is also helpful.
Why assess the documentation before ordering the work?
If the technical documentation is assessed only after the work is finished, any shortcomings may come to light at a time when remedying them is considerably more expensive. An independent assessment before the work helps to verify:
- whether the proposed solution meets the technical and safety requirements,
- whether the proposed modernisation does not reduce the original safety level of the lift,
- whether the scope of the changes does not constitute a substantial modification,
- which tests will have to be carried out after the work on the lift is completed.
In the case of a substantial modification, the equipment is treated in a similar way to a new designated product. Act No. 56/2018 Coll., in Section 2(b), defines a substantial modification as a repair or change of a product that affects its conformity with an essential requirement, or that changes its performance, type or intended purpose. In such a case, a complete replacement of the lift may be more advantageous both economically and technically.
Which tests follow a modernisation?
After a reconstruction of the lift, an installation test is carried out by a technical inspector and an official test by an authorised legal entity pursuant to Section 12 of Decree No. 508/2009 Coll. The fitness of the equipment for safe operation is confirmed only by the results of these tests.
An overview of all regular lift checks and their intervals can be found in our article on the safe operation of lifts in an apartment building.
How to proceed before a lift modernisation?
- Request the exact technical scope of the work – the quotation should not contain only a general phrase such as “lift modernisation”. You need to know which components are being replaced and how the work will affect the technical parameters of the lift.
- Request the technical documentation – the documentation must make it possible to assess the proposed solution, its compatibility with the existing lift and its impact on safety.
- Have the documentation independently assessed – an assessment by an authorised legal entity should be arranged before the supplier is approved and the order is signed.
- Compare the same scope of solution – quotations can differ considerably in which components, tests, documentation or safety upgrades they include.
- After the work, arrange the required tests – an installation test by a technical inspector and an official test by an authorised legal entity.
The cheapest quotation does not necessarily mean the lowest costs
A modernisation quotation may look attractive precisely because it does not include all the necessary work, safety measures or subsequent tests. If shortcomings are discovered only after the work is finished, it may be necessary to add safety components, modify already installed parts, rework the documentation or repeat the tests. In some cases it may even be necessary to restrict or suspend the operation of the lift. For the association of apartment owners, the decisive factor is therefore not only the initial price, but also whether the quotation covers a complete and technically sound solution.
When can a new lift be the better option?
Modernisation tends to be suitable when the original structure of the lift is in good condition and the individual upgrades can reasonably improve its safety, reliability and comfort. A new lift is worth considering above all when the original equipment shows several serious risks, some components can no longer be reliably replaced, or the scope of the changes approaches a complete replacement. Another reason may be a situation where the total cost of planned and expected repairs is no longer economically reasonable.
A new lift is a designated product under Act No. 56/2018 Coll. and must undergo conformity assessment before being placed on the market. We summarised the duties of the supplier and the builder in our article Who is an authorised legal entity (OPO) and when does your company need one?
Frequently asked questions
Does an official test have to be carried out after every replacement of a part?
No. If a worn component is replaced with an identical or equivalent part without changing the technical properties of the lift, it is usually a repair.
Who carries out the official test of a lift?
The official test and the repeated official test are carried out by an authorised legal entity on the basis of a written request from the operator.
Is a service contract enough for the building manager?
No. A service contract is important, but the building manager or the owners’ association must also monitor the deadlines of inspections and tests, the remedying of shortcomings and the completeness of the technical documentation. The responsibility for the operation of the lift remains with the operator.
When does it make sense to assess the modernisation documentation?
Ideally before the quotation is approved and before the work starts. At that point, the technical solution can still be adjusted without costly changes to a finished installation.
How can I tell whether it is a repair or a reconstruction?
The character and scope of the technical changes are decisive. If the work affects the safety components, performance, type, controls or mode of operation of the lift, it must be assessed by an expert.
Conclusion
The building manager and the apartment owners do not have to evaluate all the technical consequences of the proposed solution themselves. They should, however, arrange an independent expert assessment of the planned changes before the work starts. A safe lift modernisation begins with the assessment of the documentation, not with the signing of the order.
EIC provides the assessment of technical documentation, official tests and repeated official tests of lifts. As an independent authorised legal entity, it does not supply, design or service the equipment it inspects.
Interesting links
Who Is Responsible for the Safe Operation of Lifts in an Apartment Building?
Who is an authorised legal entity (OPO) and when does your company need one?