Elevators and other conveying devices, which include freight, construction and passenger elevators, escalators, moving walkways, baggage handling equipment, jet bridges, chair and platform lifts, dumbwaiters and amusement devices, are administered under the Building Authority Act 1962 and the Building Authority (Elevators and Lifts) Regulations 1962.

• Paragraph 4 of those regulations states; ”No elevator, amusement device or portable lift, shall be operated without a permit”.
• Paragraph 7 states; ”All permits shall be posted in the car of an elevator if applying to the elevator and in a conspicuous place if applying to a portable lift.”
• Paragraph 8 states; ”It shall be the duty of the occupier of the premises on which any elevator is situated and the duty of the owner of any portable lift to apply to the Building Authority for an inspection of such elevator or portable lift and for the renewal of an expired permit.”

Fees collectable for the provision of these mandatory inspections are levied under the Government Fees Act 1965 and Government Fees Amendment Regulations 2018. Head 11, Section 2 of the Regulations lists the fees for both the Permit renewal and non-compliance with the above elevator regulations. Fees can only be modified or waived with the approval of the Minister of Finance in certain extenuating circumstances or by an Act of the Legislature.

Click here for elevators & lifts fees payable as of 1 April 2018

The owner, occupier or operator of a property with a conveying device is responsible to reapply annually for the permit. The following is required to be submitted:

1. Elevator Licence Renewal Form
2. The fee (including any non-compliance fees). Payment slips are available from the Department of Planning Front Desk and are payable at the Accountant General’s window in the Government Administration Building.
3. A valid Building Fire Certificate (or proof of renewal) per the Fire Safety Act 2014

Notification of the inspection time and date will usually be received by email within a few days of submission for the device or devices.

It is generally requested that the Elevator and Fire Alarm Service Representatives attend the site to allow certain required tests to be conducted. The owner, occupier or operator is responsible for arranging and coordinating this and for any charges which may be levied as a result of their attendance. Non-attendance may result in the inspection being postponed and a re-inspection fee being charged. It is also advisable to alert building tenants of the potential for disruption of service during the inspection period.

The inspector will provide a report, usually via email, to the owner indicating any deficiencies and the deadline for rectifying those deficiencies. The inspector may require a re-inspection fee to be paid (see fee schedule) prior to commencement of any re-inspection. If the Inspection reveals a deficiency which is of threat to Life Safety or contravenes the Building Code or permitting requirements, the elevator may be temporarily taken out of service until the deficiency is rectified. Such issues may include, but are not limited to:

1. No Building Fire Certificate;

2. Inoperable Smoke/Heat Sensors;

3. Inoperable Emergency Telephone;

4. Inoperable Emergency Light & Alarm;

5. Undocumented tests;

6. Flood Sensor or Sump Pump fault;

7. No permanent Oil Level Gauge for Hydraulic Elevator;

8. No Logbook in Machine Room;

9. Materials unrelated to Elevators stored in the Machine Room;

10. No Fire Extinguisher in the Machine Room;

11. Safety Light and GFCI Receptacle not working in the Pit;

12. Wiring or Cabling not related to the Elevator in Hoistway or Machine Room; and

13. Lapse of Permit or Operating a Conveying Device without a valid Permit. All Fees due, including those for non-compliance, shall be paid PRIOR to any inspections being arranged.

The permit will be emailed to the contact listed on the Renewal Form. It should be printed and displayed as required by the Regulations. Non-compliance fees may accrue on a monthly basis for displaying an out-of-date permit.