Lift Safety Checklist for Apartments and RWAs in Bangalore

Every day, hundreds of residents, children, domestic workers, delivery staff and guests use the lifts in a typical Bengaluru apartment community. A lift that is well maintained is safe and invisible. A lift that is neglected becomes a worry for the whole building.

Your technician does the technical work, but residents, security staff and the RWA can do a lot to keep lifts safe. This checklist makes it simple.

What residents and security can check every day

• The lift stops level with the floor, with no step up or down.
• Doors open and close smoothly and do not bounce or stay half open.
• Lights, floor indicators and call buttons are working.
• The alarm button and the intercom are working. Test them from time to time with the security desk.
• The cabin is clean and dry, with no loose items blocking the doors.
• The service company's phone number and the emergency number are displayed in the cabin or near the lift.

Warning signs: report immediately

• Jerks, shaking or sudden stops while travelling.
• The lift overshoots or stops above or below the landing.
• Doors that close on people or fail to reopen.
• New grinding, scraping or humming noises.
• A burning smell or smoke. Stop using the lift and call the service company at once.
• The lift moving with the doors open, or floor numbers behaving strangely.

When you notice one of these, take the lift out of use until a technician has inspected it. Reporting early prevents a small problem from turning into a major breakdown.

What to do if someone is stuck in a lift

1. Stay calm and do not panic. A lift cabin is designed to remain safe even when it stops.
2. Press the alarm or the intercom button and tell the security desk or the service company where you are.
3. Do not try to force the doors or climb out through any opening.
4. Wait for trained help. Only qualified technicians should release passengers.
5. Keep the cabin ventilated and the person informed. Speak to them through the intercom or door until help arrives.

Make sure your security staff know this procedure and have the emergency numbers on their desk.

Rules to display for residents

• Do not exceed the rated capacity shown in the cabin.
• Children should not play in or around the lift. Young children should travel with an adult.
• Do not hold the doors with hands, feet or objects.
• Use the lift sensibly during moving, with protection for the cabin and proper loading. Use the service lift for large items.
• In a fire, do not use the lift unless it is designated as a fireman's or evacuation lift.

What the RWA or management should do

• Keep a maintenance contract. Read our lift AMC guide to choose the right type.
• Keep records. Service reports, repairs and inspection certificates should be stored in one place.
• Follow regulations. Lifts in Karnataka are subject to inspection and licensing rules. Confirm with your service company what applies to your lifts and keep paperwork current.
• Act on recommendations. If a technician advises a repair, do not postpone it.
• Review old lifts. Very old lifts may need upgrades; see our guide to lift modernization.

Need help with your building's lifts?

Eider Elevators provides lift service, repair, modernization and AMC for apartment lifts and passenger lifts across Bangalore. Call us or use our contact page.