Emergency power systems for lifts are backup power solutions that cut in when the mains fails so the lift can get people to a safe floor and let them out. In the UK they are now a basic expectation in taller and higher risk buildings, not a nice extra.
What Are Emergency Power Systems for Lifts?
Think of emergency power systems for lifts as a safety net for power. When the mains supply disappears, they keep the lift’s control system, motor and safety systems running long enough to finish the job safely. That might mean a short ride to the nearest floor, or full operation during a longer power outage, depending on the building and the system you have.
In practice, most setups use one or more of these:
- Uninterruptible power supplies that switch to battery almost instantly.
- Backup generators that look after longer power cuts.
- Automatic Rescue Devices that do a single, controlled trip to the nearest floor.
With an Automatic Rescue Device, if the power goes mid journey, the ARD senses the power failure, switches to its own battery and moves the car to the closest landing, opens the doors and lets passengers out. The whole point is to avoid passenger entrapment during a power outage, which is exactly what building managers and residents worry about most.
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UK Rules: When Is Emergency Power Required?
There are a few names that keep coming up: BS 9999, BS EN 81‑76, EN 50171 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. You do not need to memorise them, but it helps to know what they expect from your lift.
In simple terms:
- Evacuation lifts are expected to have a secondary power supply that is separate from the normal mains.
- EN 50171 sets the rules for central battery systems that run evacuation lifts and emergency lighting.
- BS EN 81‑76 explains how evacuation lifts should work for disabled persons, including power supply expectations.
Since January 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 also require monthly checks on all evacuation lifts and lifts that firefighters use in high rise residential buildings. Any faults that cannot be fixed within 24 hours must be reported to the local fire and rescue service, and the checks must be recorded and shared with residents. Most guidance uses a simple runtime rule of thumb: around 60 minutes of backup in standard commercial buildings and up to 3 hours in hospitals and care homes.
Types of Emergency Power Systems for Lifts
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems
UPS systems are the quick responders. When the mains power fails, they switch to battery within milliseconds, so the lift keeps running smoothly without a hard stop and reduces overall lift downtime. For most emergency lifts this means passengers barely notice anything has happened.
A lift UPS typically:
- Sits in the 10 kVA to 160 kVA range, depending on the size and number of lifts.
- Provides instant, uninterrupted power during short outages.
- Runs quietly, which suits hotels, offices and hospitals.
- Can be supplied as an EN 50171 compliant central power supply that also feeds emergency lighting and other safety systems.
EN 50171 expects central battery systems to support 120& of their rated load, include extra capacity to allow full duration tests at the end of the batteries’ 10‑year life, and be designed specifically for life safety use. For lifts, the UPS also needs to cope with regenerative energy from the motor, not just straightforward power draw.
Generator Systems
Generators are the long distance runners. They use diesel, gas or similar fuel to generate electricity and are set up to start automatically if the mains fails. In many larger buildings the generator not only looks after emergency lifts, but also emergency lighting, smoke control and sometimes data centres.
Key points about generators:
- They normally start and take load within about 10 to 20 seconds after the power failure.
- They can run for hours as long as there is fuel available.
- They need regular servicing and fuel checks.
That 10–20 second gap is why generators often work alongside a UPS or ARD. The UPS or ARD keeps the lift safe immediately after the power failure, then the generator takes over for longer operation.
Automatic Rescue Devices (ARD)
Automatic Rescue Devices are simple, focused safety systems. They do not try to keep the lift running all night. Instead, they make sure that if a power failure happens, the people already in the car are not stuck.
When the mains drops:
- The ARD detects the loss of power.
- It switches to its own battery backup.
- The car moves in a controlled way to the nearest floor.
- The doors open and passengers step out.
Guidance around BS EN 81‑76 explains that some Class A evacuation lifts can rely on ARD for that one trip to an exit level, while Class B systems need full secondary power for multiple trips. That difference matters when you are planning what to install, especially in mixed use or older buildings.
UPS vs Generator: Which Makes More Sense?
Both UPS systems and generators provide backup power, but they are good at different things. The decision usually comes down to three questions: how fast do you need the lift to respond, how long do you need it to run and what kind of building are you dealing with?
Here is a quick side by side view.
| Aspect | UPS systems | Generator systems |
| Response time | Instant, in milliseconds, so no noticeable interruption | Around 10–20 seconds to start and take load |
| Runtime | Often 60–90 minutes depending on battery size | Hours or days depending on fuel storage |
| Maintenance | Lower, mainly batteries and electronics | Higher, including engine servicing and fuel tests |
| Noise level | Very quiet in operation | Audible engine and exhaust noise |
| Typical use | Evacuation lifts in many commercial and residential sites | Hospitals, care homes, large complexes |
If you need instant, smooth behaviour and you only have to satisfy a 60 minute requirement, a UPS based solution usually fits well. If you need lifts and other critical systems to run for three hours or more, especially in hospitals or care homes, a generator often becomes essential, sometimes supported by a UPS on the lift supply for that instant switchover.
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Installation, Regenerative Loads and EN 50171
Central battery systems for lifts and emergency lighting sit under EN 50171, which sets out things like overload capacity, battery life and test conditions. It treats these systems as life safety equipment rather than ordinary UPS units, which is why it insists on 10‑year battery life, the ability to supply 120% of the designed load continuously, and enough spare capacity for full duration tests at the end of battery life.
There is also the issue of regenerative power. Modern traction lifts generate electricity when the car travels down with a heavy load and can push that energy back towards the supply. A standard IT style UPS does not always enjoy that and might trip or fail. Lift specific EN 50171 central systems handle this regenerative behaviour properly, usually through dedicated electronics that absorb and reuse the energy where possible. Getting that detail right protects the equipment and avoids odd behaviour during emergency operation.
Maintenance and Testing: What Building Managers Need To Do
Once the system is in, the focus shifts to looking after it. This is where a lot of buildings quietly fall out of compliance.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 are clear for high rise residential buildings. From 23 January 2023, responsible persons must:
- Carry out monthly checks on evacuation lifts and lifts used by firefighters.
- Record those checks and make the records available to residents.
- Tell the local fire and rescue service if one of those lifts is out of service for more than 24 hours.
Most lift specialists will also advise you to:
- Test the lift on backup power so you know the changeover works.
- Check UPS status and replace batteries at sensible intervals.
- Run generators under load regularly and check fuel quality.
These checks are not meant to be complicated. The guidance from LEIA and the National Fire Chiefs Council shows they can often be done by on site staff as part of routine building management, with lift contractors handling deeper servicing and frequent inspections.
How LOLER Inspections Fit Into Emergency Power
On top of fire regulations and standards like BS EN 81‑76, you also have LOLER: the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. If you own or manage a lift in a workplace or staffed residential building, LOLER applies to you.
LOLER is about “thorough examination” rather than day to day servicing. HSE describes this as a detailed safety check by a competent person, followed by a written report. For passenger lifts this must happen at least every six months, and for goods‑only lifts at least every twelve months. It is essentially the MOT of the lift: it looks at the car, doors, safety gear, suspension, control system and other safety‑critical parts.
LOLER sits alongside your emergency power duties rather than replacing them. In simple terms:
- LOLER checks that the lift itself is mechanically and electrically safe to use.
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 deal with monthly checks on evacuation lifts, lifts for firefighters and their backup power.
If you line them up, a sensible approach is to plan six‑monthly LOLER thorough examinations and use your monthly fire safety checks to exercise the UPS or generator and confirm the lift will still behave properly on backup power. That keeps both the lifting equipment and the emergency power side in good shape without duplicating work.
LOLER Statutory Inspections
Closing Thoughts
If all the standards, fire regulations and backup power options are starting to feel a bit much, Future Lift Services can help you make sense of it and put the right solution in place for your lifts, from emergency UPS and generators through to ARD upgrades and ongoing maintenance, so your building stays safe, compliant and easy to manage.
We provide a top-notch installation and maintenance service for lifts in workplaces, public structures, and other types of commercial buildings. We can assist with leading LOLER testing and certification if your organisation uses platform lifts, passenger lifts, or other types of access equipment that elevates people.
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FAQs
Do emergency systems for lifts only work during a full blackout?
No. Emergency systems are there for any loss of the normal mains power supply, from short dips to longer outages, so the lift can still move to a safe floor and release passengers.
How do emergency generators and UPS units link to building management systems?
In many larger sites, emergency generators, UPS units and modern elevators are monitored through the building management systems so faults, alarms and test runs are all visible in one place for the facilities team.
Do modern elevators always need both UPS and emergency generators?
Not always. Some modern elevators only need a UPS based system, while higher risk buildings, such as hospitals, often pair UPS units with emergency generators to keep lifts and other critical systems running during longer outages.