Skip to main content

We've refreshed our website! Some users may experience intermittent issues during this period.

____

Government officials will NEVER ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call.

Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 or visit www.scamshield.gov.sg to check if something is a scam.

Building and Construction Authority
Lifts, Escalators & Mechanised Car Parking Systems

Fixed Installations (Lifts, Escalators and Mechanised Car Parking System) Legislations

Property type

Condo/Strata

Landed

HDB

Others

Access to the regulations relating to the design, installation, operation, maintenance, modification and incident reporting for fixed installations.

Escalators inside a modern building

Legislative requirements

Owners are responsible for ensuring that lifts, escalators (L&E) and Mechanised Car Parking System (MCPS) on their property are safe and well-maintained. Owners must comply with the legislative requirements for operation, maintenance, testing, and the reporting of incidents involving L&E and MCPS. These requirements can be found in the following regulatory frameworks:

Infographic listing regulatory duties for building owners, including PTO, maintenance, and safety reporting.

Permit to Operate (PTO)

A valid Permit to Operate (PTO) is required before owners can operate their L&E and MCPS.

Owners can apply for a PTO through the Lifts and Escalators Application (LEAP) Portal. For details on applying for a Permit to Operate (PTO), please refer to the PTO application process guide.

Maintenance and Testing Requirements

Regular maintenance and testing of L&E and MCPS are required in accordance with Regulation (39) of the Building Control (Fixed installations) Regulations 2025. Owners should follow the prescribed maintenance and testing schedules. 

Owners should also only engage BCA-registered FI works contractors and FI service contractors for all installation (including major alteration or replacement works for existing lifts), testing, and maintenance of fixed installations. For a list of BCA-registered contractors, please refer to the BCA directory of Registered Contractors.

Maintenance frequency

Maintenance frequency and responsible service providers for various types of lifts and escalators

Lift/Escalator

Maintenance frequency

Carried out by

(a) Any lift that serves a single residential unit, or the main machine interface of any mechanised car parking system 

As per manufacturer’s recommendation (MR), or every 3 months in the absence of the MR.

BCA-registered FI service contractor

(b) Any stairlift or vertical platform lift that does not serve a single residential unit

As per manufacturer’s recommendation, or every 3 months (whichever is more frequent).

BCA-registered FI service contractor

For any other lifts not mentioned under (a) and (b)

If the Commissioner of Building Control has given a written approval for the use of a remote monitoring and diagnostics solution on the lift, follow the approved schedule set by the Commissioner.

Otherwise, perform maintenance at either:

  • The frequency recommended by the lift manufacturer,

  • Or at least once every month, whichever is more frequent.

BCA-registered FI service contractor

All escalators

Every month

BCA-registered FI service contractor

Testing frequency

Testing frequency and responsible service providers for various types of lifts and escalators

Lift/Escalator

Testing frequency

Carried out by

All lifts

Annual inspection and testing

BCA registered FI service contractor with an independent SPE/FI Inspector present

All escalators

Annual inspection and testing

BCA registered FI service contractor with an independent SPE/FI Inspector present

MCPS

Annual inspection and testing

BCA registered FI service contractor with an independent SPE/FI Inspector present

Major alteration and replacement works 

Major alterations and replacements can be conducted on lifts and escalators. The permissible changes to each can be found in this link under the First Schedule.

Process for major alteration and replacement works

The Permit to Operate (PTO) issued will cease when a lift or escalator or mechanised car parking system undergoes major alteration or replacement works. When this occurs, the owner must hence carry out the following steps:

  • The owner must notify the Commissioner in writing and when required, obtain approval of the plans before starting any major alteration or replacement works.

  • A BCA-registered FI  works contractor must perform the works, supervised by a Supervisor QP.

  • After the works are completed, the Supervisor QP must certify that the lift, escalator, or mechanised car parking system is fit for operation.

  • The owner must then apply for a new Permit to Operate (PTO) for the lift, escalator, or mechanised car parking system.

Owners can also refer to the Regulations on Notification for certain major alteration or replacement works, etc. for more information regarding major alteration and replacement works.

Reportable matters 

In accordance with Regs (6) of the Building Control (Reportable Matters) Regulation 2025, a reporter must notify the Commissioner:

  1. Within 72 hours after the reporter first becomes aware of, or reasonably suspects that a reportable safety risk has arisen related to a building product (e.g. components relating to lifts, escalators, or MCPS, as listed in the First Schedule). Authorities must be notified via this FormSG.

  2. Within 6 hours after the reporter becomes aware of — or reasonably suspects — a reportable safety incident involving a lift, escalator, or mechanised car parking system, call BCA at 9088 7289 or 9782 7296. Do not send text messages or media files through SMS or WhatsApp to report an incident.

For the list of reportable safety incidents, please refer to Second Schedule.

For further information on reportable matters, please refer to the - Building Control (Reportable Matters) Regulations 2025 [PDF, 139 KB].

Forms and Certificates

Stakeholders must use specific forms and certificates when conducting registrable activities.

Back to top