New European standards for lifts
EN 81-20 and EN 81-50
The European Committee for Standardization in 2014 released two new safety standards for the
construction of lifts and for the testing of lift components. Both new standards apply for passenger
and goods passenger lifts. EN 81-20 defines the technical requirements for the construction of lifts.
EN 81-50 defines design rules, calculations and tests of lift components. The new standards will be
effective as of 1. September 2017. The existing standards EN 81-1 and EN 81-2 will remain in force
during this transition period. Schindler Lifts are compliant with the actual valid Standards EN 81-1
and EN 81-2.
Major changes
Increased safety requirements for passengers and service
personnel are the core of the new standard. It includes:
Passenger safety and comfort
− Brighter car lighting
− Improved clearance of light curtain to avoid smaller
objects being trapped
− Improved strength and durability of car walls, car roof,
car doors and landing doors
− Safety glass for mirrors
− Higher requirements for fire resistance of car interiors
– Building shrinkage considered in elevator design for
buildings higher than 40 meters to ensure ride quality
( > 40 m travel )
– Wider emergency exit in the car roof
Service personnel safety
− Larger permanent safety spaces in hoistway
headroom and pit
− Brighter shaft illumination
– Mandatory elevator control panel with
stop button in the hoistway pit
– Improved strength and increased height
of balustrade on car roof
– Improved strength of counterweight screen
in hoistway pit
EN 81-20 / 50 in brief
− Issued by the CEN – European Committee for
Standardization
− Replaces EN 81-1 and EN 81-2
− EN 81-20 defines the technical
requirements for elevator construction
− EN 81-50 provides the framework for design
and testing of elevator components
− The standard is binding as of 1. September
2017 for all new elevators
Schindler Passenger Elevators
‘I’m planning a new building, what do
I have to consider?’
For all projects that most likely will be handed over after
31. August 2017 Schindler advises to plan according to EN
81-20/50. New planning data, that reflects the new standard
requirement, is available upon request from Schindler. For
optimal planning reliability Schindler recommends to start
planning according to EN 81-20/50 as of today.
‘Do I need to upgrade the elevators in my building?’
No. The new standard only affects elevators installed after
1. September 2017. This includes replacement of elevators in
existing buildings. Elevators that are in operation do not need
any upgrades.
If you plan to replace an elevator in your building or are
looking to upgrade your current elevator to comply with the
latest standards, your Schindler consultant will advise you.
Schindler commitment
Safety of passenger and service personnel is essential to
Schindler. Therefore, Schindler has invested more than 82,000
hours in engineering and testing, to meet the requirements of
EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 for all products.
EN 81-20 Technical Highlights
System
Machine Room lighting
Min. 200 lux at floor at work spaces
Min. 50 lux for other spaces
Safety Cube on car roof
Increased safety space for
maintenance work
Balustrade
Improved strength and increased height
of balustrade on car roof
Car Lighting
Min 100 lux at 1m above floor
Car
New requirements on strength of car walls
Doors
Increased requirements on strength of
car and landing doors
Shaft Lighting
Min 50 lux in working areas
Inspection control in hoistway
Permanent Inspection Control Station in pit
NIB-SM.FS81-20.EN.11.15
Safety Cube in hoistway
Increased safety space for maintenance work