Essential Guide for Singapore Lift Owners: Reporting Lift Incidents to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA)

Do you own a lift in Singapore? If so, you're not only responsible for many individuals who rely on this mode of movement, you're also legally bound to report certain types of incidents during a lift breakdown or lift emergency.

If you're unsure what these are, you've come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the different types of lift incidents that need to be reported and how to go about making a report.

What types of lift incidents must be reported to the BCA?

Not all lift breakdowns or lift emergencies need to be reported, and it's vital as a lift owner to understand the types of incidents that need reporting. They are:

• Injury or death linked to a lift, its parts, or its machinery

• Main drive system breakdown (not caused by main power system failure), which causes the lift car to move in an uncontrolled manner

• Breakage of suspension rope

• Brake failure, which causes the lift car to rise or fall abruptly in an uncontrolled manner

• Failure of overload device where the lift works normally even when it's carrying more weight than its 'maximum load capacity'

• Breakdowns of other critical safety components or equipment, typically identified through inspection and/or testing

• Failure of interlocking device for lift landing door. For instance, if the lift car can still move when the doors are not fully closed and locked, or if locked lift landing doors can be opened even when the lift car isn't on the same floor.

Do I need to report minor lift incidents to the BCA?

If your lift breakdown or lift emergency does not involve injury or death, and does not involve the malfunction of a safety critical part, you do not need to report it.

However, it is common for such malfunctions to only be detected through regular maintenance and during inspection and testing. As all lift owners in Singapore are required to engage a BCA registered lift maintenance contractor, it would be best for you to get a professional opinion on whether a certain component is considered as safety critical.

How can I report a lift incident to the BCA in Singapore?

First, let your lift service contractor know so they can start rescue operations in the case of a lift emergency or lift breakdown.

If your contractor is unable to carry out the rescue, get in touch with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). In the meantime, be sure to stop the lift's operation and secure the area around the lift where the incident happened.

Next, report the situation to the Commissioner of Buildings via BCA's designated hotlines at 9088 7289 or 9782 7296. You should not make the report via SMS or WhatsApp messages.

Following the initial phone alert to BCA, ensure that a proper incident report is submitted within a 24-hour timespan.

Both the lift owner and lift maintenance company (that did the most recent servicing) are obliged to make a report.

What information do I need to provide when reporting a lift incident to the BCA?

The main information you'll need to provide are:

• Lift address & ID

• Date and time of the incident

• Incident details:

  You should fully describe what happened, with a chronological write-up of events leading up to, during, and after the incident. The cause(s) of the incident should also be described in detail.

• Injured Person(s):

  Information about injured person(s) will need to be provided. For instance, gender and description of injury.

• Personal Information:

  Details of the person reporting the incident, including the full name, contact number, and email address.

• Status of lift:

  You'll need to provide details if any part of the lift was modified after the incident

What happens if I fail to report a lift incident to the BCA?

As a lift owner, neglecting to report required incidents can lead to a fine of as much as $5,000.

How does the BCA handle reported lift incidents?

Once you've reported the lift incident, you might be wondering, "What happens next?"

The Commissioner of Buildings might request your lift service contractor to do two things within a specified period:

• First, hire an authorised examiner who has no business ties to the lift owner or the lift contractor, to investigate the incident and compile a report on what happened.

• Second, submit this report to the Commissioner.

The Commissioner may also ask the lift owner to provide another report from a different authorised examiner. This must also be done within the period the Commissioner decides.

Failure to comply can lead to a fine of as much as $5,000

.

Ensuring lift safety: Duty of lift owners

As a lift owner, it's important to understand your duty to report lift incidents. This requirement isn't just about following the Building Maintenance and Strata Management (Lift, Escalator and Building Maintenance) Regulations 2016, it's also about keeping people safe.

By proactively addressing potential risks promptly, you can help ensure a safe time for everyone who uses your lift.