An independent audit of 12 newly completed apartment projects in Bengaluru found 1,283 failures in 3,543 lift-safety checks, with 347 high-priority issues that could put residents at risk, writes Vindhya Pabolu.
When the lift stops, can anyone hear you?
Rescue devices, intercoms and emergency systems recorded 129 findings across nine projects, of which 69 (53%) were rated high priority. Intercoms failed 28 of 68 checks, while public-address systems failed 26 of 66. These systems are critical when a lift stops between floors, particularly during a power cut.
Wiring risks behind the walls
Earthing and electrical compliance accounted for 272 findings across 10 projects, with 90 (33%) rated high priority. The findings included earthing defects at cable glands and wiring issues. IS 3043 covers earthing, while IS 1255 deals with the installation and maintenance of power cables.
A rough ride from day one
Alignment, clearances and vibration accounted for 174 findings across all 12 projects, of which 73 (42%) were rated high priority. These included uneven levelling between the lift-car floor and landing, as well as mechanical clearances outside specified tolerances.
Lights out in the lift
Lighting in lift cars, shafts and machine rooms recorded 108 findings across eight projects, with 15 (14%) rated high priority. These included non-functional lights in the car, shaft and machine room, as well as emergency lights expected to switch on when the mains supply fails.
The certificate that failed 60% of checks
Operating licences and records emerged as a major concern. Checks for operating certificates failed 69 out of 115 times (60%), the highest failure rate among conditions tested at least 20 times. The check establishes whether certificates exist and are displayed; it does not mean that 60% of lifts were unlicensed.
Audit at a glance
- 12 apartment projects audited in depth
- 3,543 lift-safety and functional checks conducted
- 1,283 checks failed (36.2%)
- 347 failures rated high priority
10 checks every RWA should demand
- Operating certificate: Verify the lift’s operating certificate and ensure it is displayed inside the car.
- Automatic rescue device: Demand a live demonstration in every lift with the mains power switched off.
- Lift intercom: Make an actual call to confirm that someone is available to answer it.
- Machine-room access: Ensure the machine-room key is handed over and the door is locked after access.
- Emergency lighting: Test the car’s emergency light with the power switched off, rather than merely checking whether it switches on.
- Earthing compliance: Test earthing at cable glands against IS 3043 and obtain the test record.
- Circuit labelling: Ensure every circuit is labelled at the distribution board so the correct circuit can be isolated during an emergency.
- Levelling checks: Ride in every lift car and check floor alignment with the landing at every stop.
- Lift pit inspection: Ensure the lift pit is inspected and cleared of debris and stored material.
- Maintenance records: Obtain the maintenance contract and service records in writing before the first invoice arrives.
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