The requirements related to lift and escalator maintenance can be found under the following regulations in the Building Maintenance and Strata Management (Lift, Escalator and Building Maintenance) Regulations 2016.
These include maintenance frequency, requirement to display Permit To Operate (PTO), and duties of stakeholders.
- Lift maintenance – Regulations 5 to 17
- Escalator maintenance – Regulations 18 to 29
Maintenance frequency
| Lift/escalator |
Periodic maintenance frequency |
By |
| Home lift, vertical platform lift or stairlift |
Manufacturers’ recommendations, or once every 3 months, whichever is more frequent |
Lift service contractor registered with BCA |
| All other lifts |
Manufacturers’ recommendations or once every month, whichever is more frequent |
Lift service contractor registered with BCA |
| All escalators |
Once every month |
Escalator service contractor registered with BCA |
Testing frequency
| Lift/escalator |
Periodic testing frequency |
By |
| All lifts |
Annual examination, inspection and testing |
Lift service contractor in the presence of an independent Specialist Professional Engineer (SPE) |
| All escalators |
Annual examination, inspection and testing |
Escalator service contractor in the presence of an independent SPE |
How to obtain a Permit to Operate (PTO)
Lift/escalator owners must apply to BCA for a PTO before operating the lift/escalator for use.
The application for the PTO needs to be accompanied by the following:
- Completed PTO application form
- Certificate from the AE that the lift/escalator is in a fit condition for operation
- Relevant application fee