Lift and Escalator Audits Ireland
Why Independent Lift & Escalator Audits Matter
In Ireland, building owners and facilities managers are legally responsible for ensuring lifts and escalators are safe, efficient, and compliant with EU regulations. Relying solely on maintenance providers can sometimes lead to conflicting interests—recommendations may prioritise their service contracts rather than your long-term cost efficiency.
TechFM provides independent, unbiased lift and escalator consultancy services. We evaluate your assets objectively, helping you make data-driven decisions that improve safety, extend equipment life, and reduce costs.
Ensuring Compliance with Irish & EU Safety Standards
Lifts and escalators in Ireland must meet strict safety and accessibility regulations, including:
EN 81-20/50 – European standards for the design and safety of lifts.
LOLER – Statutory inspection requirements.
PUWER – Safe use of equipment.
EN 115 – Safety for escalators and moving walks.
Under SI No. 299 of 2007, thorough examinations must be carried out by a Competent Person at least once a year. Failing to comply can lead to legal consequences, insurance issues, and increased liability in the event of an incident.
Learn more about our technical facilities management support for regulatory compliance.
HOW IT WORKS?
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
In the first instance we review the lifts current maintenance contract, records of maintenance and their most recent Thorough Examination reports. This allows us to understand the sites history and to deal with any urgent safety or operational concerns
If required, we then attend the site in person and audit all items of equipment. A detailed report is generated for each lift or escalator using our FieldMotion platform. Our reports are then shared with our client and their maintenance provider and any defects or areas of concerns are attended to.
On completion of the site audit, we issue a cover report detailing any areas of concern with their current maintenance program or standard of works. This cover report also includes a 10-year plan for the site including modernisation costs that should be planned and budgeted for. This allows a sinking fund to be developed for the future works required on all lifts.
Optimising Performance & Energy Efficiency
Beyond compliance, audits help you maximise uptime and passenger satisfaction. We assess:
Journey times and door operations.
Passenger wait times during peak hours.
Mechanical wear and reliability trends.
Opportunities for energy savings, such as LED lighting, regenerative drives, and standby power modes.
Result: Most clients see 40–60% fewer breakdowns after implementing our audit recommendations.
Our lift modernization planning ensures these improvements align with long-term asset strategies.
Modernisation Planning – Refurbish or Replace?
Replacing a lift too early can waste tens of thousands of euros. In many cases, modernisation—upgrading controls, drives, and interiors—offers better ROI than full replacement.
When to modernise:
Equipment under 25 years old with sound structure.
Performance issues due to outdated controls.
Energy inefficiency or poor accessibility.
When to replace:
Structural damage to shaft or machinery.
Non-compliance that can’t be resolved through upgrades.
Our lifecycle assessment typically saves clients 30–50% compared to premature replacement.
Smarter Maintenance Contracts = Smarter Savings
Poorly negotiated maintenance contracts can drain budgets without improving service. Our audit includes:
Benchmarking contract rates against Irish industry averages.
Removing unnecessary services.
Adding penalty clauses for poor performance.
Clients regularly achieve 15–30% annual cost reductions after renegotiation.
Our Services
Lift & Escalator Consultancy
Technical Facilities Management
Project Management
F.A.Q.
Our comprehensive lift and escalator audit covers three critical areas:
Safety & Regulatory Checks: Assessment against Irish/EU regulations (LOLER, PUWER, EN 81-20/50, EN 115)
Operational Performance: Testing door alignment, leveling accuracy, emergency systems, and load capacity
Maintenance Review: Analysis of maintenance logs, contractor SLA adherence, and component wear-and-tear
The audit concludes with a prioritized action plan for compliance risks and efficiency improvement
Independent consultants (like TechFM) provide unbiased safety evaluations free from contractor sales incentives. We:
Identify cost-saving opportunities (e.g., unnecessary upgrades suggested by maintenance providers)
Focus solely on your compliance risks and equipment longevity.
Deliver audit-ready documentation for insurance and regulatory authorities
Audit duration depends on equipment type and complexity:
| Equipment | Standard Audit Time |
|---|---|
| Passenger Lift (1) | 2-3 hours |
| Escalator (1) | 3-4 hours |
| Full Building Portfolio | 1-2 days |
Top 3 non-compliance issues we identify:
Outdated LOLER certifications (>12 months since last thorough examination) .
Safety-critical defects: Faulty door sensors, worn brakes, or inadequate pit drainage .
Incomplete maintenance records – Missing contractor reports or repair logs
Absolutely. Our audits cut costs by 15-30% through:
Preventive maintenance planning: Avoiding emergency callouts.
Energy efficiency upgrades: LED lighting or drive-system retrofits with <3-year ROI .
Maintenance contract optimization: Aligning service tiers (Oil/Grease vs. Comprehensive) with actual needs