Lift Registration Requirements
All passenger lifts, goods lifts, and escalators in Bangladesh must be registered with the Chief Inspector of Factories and Establishments (under DIFE) and inspected annually. This requirement exists under the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 and supplementary regulations.
Registration Process
| Step | Activity | Documents | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Submit registration application | Application form, lift specifications, installation certificate from manufacturer/installer, building plan | Day 1 |
| 2 | Pay registration fee | Fee receipt | Day 1 |
| 3 | Inspector assigned | — | 2-4 weeks |
| 4 | Inspection | Safety test: emergency stop, door interlock, overload, pit condition, car top, governor, buffer | Half day |
| 5 | Registration certificate issued | If passed — certificate issued with unique registration number | 1-2 weeks |
Annual Safety Inspection
| Inspection Item | What Is Checked | Standard Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Door interlocks | Landing and car doors cannot open when car is moving | EN 81-20/50 |
| Emergency stop | Car top and pit emergency stop buttons functional | EN 81-20 |
| Overload device | Lift prevents movement when overloaded | EN 81-20 |
| Governor and safety gear | Overspeed protection functional | EN 81-20 |
| Buffers | Pit buffers in good condition | EN 81-20 |
| Ropes/chains | Wear within limits, proper tension | EN 81-20 |
| Car ventilation | Emergency ventilation operable | EN 81-20 |
| Emergency communication | Emergency phone/intercom functional | EN 81-28 |
| Pit condition | Clean, dry, no water ingress | General safety |
| Machine room | Clean, ventilated, access controlled | EN 81-20 |
Maintenance Requirements
- AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract): Recommended with OEM or authorised service provider
- Monthly inspection: Car top, pit, door operation, levelling, emergency devices
- Log book: Maintain lift log book recording all inspections, faults, and repairs
- Entrapment procedure: Written procedure for passenger rescue displayed in machine room
- Insurance: Third-party liability insurance covering lift accidents recommended
Common Gaps in Bangladesh
- Unregistered lifts: Very common — many lifts in Dhaka operate without registration or annual inspection
- No AMC: Lift maintained by unqualified technicians rather than OEM or authorised service provider
- Expired inspection: Registration obtained once but annual inspection not renewed
- No entrapment procedure: No written rescue procedure — passengers may be trapped for extended periods
- Flooded pits: Basement flooding affects pit condition and electrical safety
- Overloading: No functional overload device — lift operates when overloaded
Practical Guidance
- Register all lifts — even if enforcement is inconsistent, registration creates a safety baseline and reduces liability.
- Comprehensive AMC: Invest in comprehensive AMC (parts + labour) with a reputable provider — it costs more but eliminates repair cost uncertainty.
- KPI tracking: Track lift availability (target ≥98%), number of breakdowns/month, entrapment incidents, response time.
- For MNC tenants: Require evidence of lift registration and AMC from landlord. Add lift safety inspection to pre-lease checklist.
References
Insights & Guidance
- All lifts must be registered with the Chief Inspector and inspected annually — but many in Dhaka are unregistered.
- Annual inspection checks: door interlocks, emergency stop, overload, governor, buffers, ropes, emergency communication.
- Comprehensive AMC with OEM/authorised provider is essential — unqualified maintenance creates safety risk.
- Track lift availability (≥98% target) and maintain a lift log book.
- For tenants: require lift registration and AMC evidence from landlord before lease.
Lift entrapment and mechanical failure are common building incidents. Proper registration, annual inspection, and professional maintenance are the minimum safety requirements — and yet are widely absent in Bangladesh's commercial building stock.
- Unregistered lifts — no safety inspection baseline, full liability on owner.
- Entrapment without rescue procedure — passengers trapped, no plan to extract them safely.
- Lift registration certificate
- Annual inspection certificate (current year)
- AMC contract with service provider
- Lift log book with inspection and fault records
- Is the lift registration/inspection certificate displayed in the car?
- Does the emergency phone/intercom work?
- Is the machine room clean and access-controlled?
- Are the lifts registered? Is the annual inspection current?
- Who maintains the lifts? Is there a comprehensive AMC?
- What is the entrapment rescue procedure?
- Lift safety — EN 81 qualified lift inspector for independent safety audit.
- Lift modernisation — OEM or authorised dealer for ageing lift assessment.