Overview of the new BS EN 81-76:2025 for evacuation lifts used during emergencies 

Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of evacuation lifts with the newly introduced BS EN 81-76:2025 standard which is the new benchmark for evacuation lifts. The BS EN 81-76:2025 marks a significant step forward from previous standards, highlighting the importance of safe evacuation lifts. It supersedes DD CEN/TS 81-76:2011, which actually was never adopted in the UK, and improves upon the standards set by BS 9999.

It is important however to expect longer lead times for new evacuation lifts due to design, development, and conformity assessments. Therefore, it’s crucial to liaise with all relevant parties to ensure everything is in place before the standard becomes widely adopted

So what is BS EN 81-76:2025?

BS EN 81-76:2025 is a British and European standard that provides technical specifications for the evacuation of disabled persons using lifts in emergency situations, particularly in buildings where traditional evacuation methods may not be suitable. This standard outlines the design, installation, and operational requirements for evacuation lifts, ensuring they are safe, reliable, and accessible during emergencies such as fires. It emphasises coordination with building fire safety systems, clear signage, and communication protocols, and includes guidance for lift control systems, power supply resilience, and user interface design. The 2025 revision reflects updated safety practices, technological advancements, and harmonisation with broader European regulations. Note, at the time of writing this blog BS EN 81-76:2025 was not a designated standard in UK. As such, it cannot being referenced to meet compliance with Lift Regulations and referenced on Declaration of Conformity

Transition Period to BS EN 81-76

The European foreword of BS EN 81-76:2025 includes the following:

“This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2026, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by July 2027.”

We currently have the evacuation lift described in BS 9999:2017, Annex G – which should be revised or withdrawn within two years. Until then through this transition period it is acceptable to work to either BS 9999:2017, Annex G or BS EN 81-76 as products become available. Work is starting on a revision of BS 9999 which would be expected to replace the evacuation lift described in Annex G with references to BS EN 81-76.

Once EN 81-76 becomes a designated standard, following it will provide a presumption of conformity to the relevant Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs) of the Lifts Regulations. A lift provider following BS EN 81-76 will be expected to include this on their Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for the lift and, in the case that the lift does not fully conform to BS EN 81-76, apply to their Approved Body for approval and issuing of a Design Examination Certificate (DEC) to cover the deviations from specific clauses in BS EN 81-76. A lift contractor‘s Approved Body is very unlikely to approve a deviation from BS EN 81-76 without relevant approvals from the relevant fire service and building control authority. Where evacuation lift provisions are based solely on BS 9999 Annex G, this will not appear on the DoC, as this is not a designated standard under the UK Lifts Regulations.

For safe integration of an evacuation lift, there are many aspects of the building design that also have to be addressed. The key issues appear to be the design of the ventilation systems to keep lift lobbies free of smoke and fire and the complex interfacing signals that are required between the lift control system and the fire control panels or Building Management Systems (BMS) that enable the various modes and phases of evacuation operation. The issue of transition and the other factors prompted the following text to be written in to the National foreword of BS EN 81-76:2025:

“Significant lead times are to be expected for new evacuation lifts owing to the design, development and conformity assessment of solutions to meet this standard; provision of building elements to protect an evacuation lift; and provision of necessary signals to the lift controls.

Consequently, users of this standard are advised to liaise with relevant parties and to allow adequate time after publication of this document for suitable solutions to become available.”

Here are the key safety requirements outlined in BS EN 81-76:2025 for evacuation lifts used during emergencies:

1. Fire Protection & Structural Integrity

• Lifts must be located in fire-protected enclosures with fire-resistant doors and walls.
• Components critical to evacuation must maintain functionality during fire conditions.
• Every floor to be evacuated has to have safe area in front of landing doors

2. Power Supply Resilience

• A reliable emergency power supply must be available to ensure lift operation during power outages.
• Backup systems must support lift movement, lighting, communication, and control.
• Depending on if the lift is Class A or Class B, this will impact the secondary power supply type.

3. Communication Systems

• Two-way communication between the lift car and emergency services will be required depending upon evacuation operation type, (driver assisted, automatic or remote).
• Visual and audible signals must inform users of lift status and instructions.

4. Accessibility & Usability

• The lift must be accessible to persons with reduced mobility, including wheelchair users.
• Controls, signage, and interfaces must be intuitive and comply with accessibility standards.

5. Control & Priority Management

• Emergency personnel must be able to take control of the lift during evacuation.
• The lift must prioritise evacuation commands over normal operations.
• A Suspend Signal is required from building

6. Environmental Conditions

• The lift must operate reliably under emergency environmental conditions (e.g., smoke, heat). Unless heat or smoke are detected in a ‘Safe Area’/Lift operating area.
• Ventilation and temperature control must be considered for occupant safety.

7. Maintenance & Testing

• Regular inspection and testing protocols must be in place to ensure readiness.
• Emergency operation features must be tested periodically.

8. Evacuation Procedures Integration

• The lift system must be integrated into the building’s overall evacuation strategy.
• Clear procedures for use during emergencies must be documented and communicated.

For more information, check out: LEIA Guidance. Some other key information relevant to the new code:

Future-Proofing Your Projects

While waiting for fully compliant evacuation lift solutions, specifying lifts as per BS 9999:2017, Annex G might be a viable option. However, it’s important to consider the limitations of managed evacuation, especially in buildings without 24-hour staffing.

Building-Related Conditions and Capacity Assessment

Protecting evacuation lifts from fire and smoke for the duration of an evacuation is crucial. Factors such as lobby design, safe areas, and capacity assessments are essential to ensure safe evacuation.

Optional Evacuation Modes

BS EN 81-76:2025 introduces three evacuation modes: automatic, driver-assisted, and remote-assisted. Selecting the right mode is vital for the safety and efficiency of the evacuation process.

Signal Requirements and Power Supplies

The evacuation lift operation relies heavily on signals from fire control and BMS systems. Additionally, lifts should have independent secondary power supplies to ensure uninterrupted operation during emergencies.

If you require more information on the new standard, contact Otis at 0800 181 363.