Lift modernisation and replacement can involve shafts, motor rooms, landing areas, electrical systems and surrounding building fabric. Where asbestos may be present, survey information should be matched to the exact lift works before contractors begin intrusive activities.
Define what the lift project will disturb
Establish whether the works involve only equipment maintenance or include removal, drilling, cutting, rewiring, panel replacement, shaft access, motor-room alterations or changes around landings. The required asbestos information depends on those activities.
Review existing surveys and the asbestos register
Check whether lift motor rooms, shafts, service spaces and relevant landing areas were included in previous asbestos surveys. These spaces can have access restrictions, so note any areas recorded as not inspected or presumed.
Management information versus intrusive works
Existing management survey information may be suitable for routine occupation and maintenance, but a lift replacement or modernisation project can disturb materials outside that scope. Where building fabric will be intrusively affected, a suitably scoped refurbishment survey may be appropriate for the affected areas.
Areas that may need consideration
- Lift motor or machinery rooms.
- Shaft linings and panels.
- Electrical and service routes.
- Landing doors and surrounding finishes.
- Fire-protection materials.
- Floor, wall and ceiling materials affected by new equipment.
Coordinate access with the lift contractor
Survey access should be planned safely and around the lift system. The project team should identify which areas the asbestos surveyor can access and whether specialist lift-engineer attendance or isolation arrangements are needed.
Before work begins
Compare survey coverage with the final lift contractor scope and resolve relevant limitations before intrusive work. Provide the contractor with asbestos information applicable to the areas they will disturb. See our guide on what asbestos information contractors should receive.
Planning lift works in London?
Provide the building type, lift-work scope, affected areas and existing asbestos records when requesting a survey.