PTO Renewal via BCA's LEAP portal: A Guide for Singapore Lift Owners
Owning and operating a lift in Singapore comes with its responsibilities, and one requirement is keeping your lift's Permit to Operate (PTO) up to date. The process can be overwhelming, but fret not—this guide aims to simplify it for you. Let's dive into the essentials to make your PTO renewal process as seamless as possible!
If you're looking for information on other PTO-related matters, click on the following links to learn more about:
What is the BCA Lifts and Escalators Application (LEAP) Portal?
The LEAP portal is an all-encompassing digital platform designed to assist owners with the management of their lifts and escalators.
Managed by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the LEAP portal has replaced the old Online Permit to Operate (OPTO) system and streamlines various administrative tasks.
The BCA LEAP portal supports a wide range of functionalities, including PTO renewal, the creation of a new PTO process, and applications to recommission PTO.
Key features of the BCA LEAP portal include:
An integration with SingPass (for individuals) or CorpPass (for corporate entities). This secure login mechanism provides users with a seamless and secure authentication process.
The ability to have an owner's representative handle basic renewal tasks on the owner's behalf. Specific equipment can be assigned to the representative, ensuring better accountability for annual renewal activities.
Easy access to digital reports and forms. This feature allows lift owners and their representatives to easily access and submit necessary documents online, making the renewal cycle smoother and more efficient for all parties involved.
PTO Renewal via the BCA LEAP portal
As a lift owner, you'll need to renew your lift's PTO as its expiry date approaches to ensure continued operation. However, two conditions must be met for renewal:
The lift PTO must be expiring within three months
The lift must currently be active
Once these requirements are satisfied, lift owners can kickstart the PTO renewal process. This involves selecting a contractor and a Specialist Professional Engineer (SPE), as well as making the necessary payment for renewal.
Subsequently, the SPE will carry out the necessary inspections. Upon successful completion and submission to BCA for approval, the PTO will be renewed.
Are there any deadlines for renewing a lift's PTO in Singapore?
In Singapore, the renewal of a lift's PTO must be done annually as the validity period of a PTO is 12 months from the date of issuance.
Failure to renew the PTO can result in an immediate suspension and shutdown of the lift. Operating a lift with an expired PTO is strictly prohibited and failure to display a valid PTO in the lift can result in a fine of up to $5,000.
For those managing multiple lifts, the BCA LEAP portal offers the convenience of aligning the expiry dates of all PTOs. This ensures a more streamlined management and easier tracking of renewal deadlines.
Lift owners can adjust the expiry date to streamline the annual renewal process. However, it's important to note that there will be no pro-rated refund for the unused period of the PTO.
Will the BCA notify me if my lift PTO is about to expire?
The BCA will send an email reminder three months prior to your lift PTO's expiration. This email is directed to both the owner and any assigned representative. Do note that BCA has stopped sending physical letter reminders. Thus, it is important to keep your email and contact number up-to-date.
What are the fees for PTO renewal?
The fee for obtaining a PTO licence through the BCA LEAP portal is set at $20 per lift. If you're submitting an application for more than 10 lifts, the total cost is capped at $200 for the first 10 lifts. An additional charge of $10 applies for each extra lift beyond the 10th.
What payment methods are available in the BCA LEAP portal for PTO renewals?
You can pay for your PTO renewal application via GIRO, debit card, credit card, PayNow, or bank transfer.
However, do note that:
The GIRO option will not be applicable if the lift's PTO is set to expire within the current month. Thus, it is important to submit Giro payment at least 1 month before expiry. Otherwise, payment will have to be via non-Giro methods.
Only the lift owner or the owner's appointed representative is authorised to make the PTO renewal payment. Owners’ representatives are not permitted to use GIRO for making payments.
Can I request for an invoice for the PTO renewal application via the BCA LEAP portal?
You can write to BCA via [email protected] for such requests.
Can I download a receipt after payment for the PTO renewal application is done?
Yes, you can download a receipt once your payment is accepted. Simply navigate to the equipment information page on the BCA LEAP portal and click on the "Payment History" tab. Here, you can view and retrieve all past receipts, including those from previous years made through the LEAP system.
Can I change my lift maintenance or testing contractor after making payment for PTO renewal?
As a lift owner, you can change your lift maintenance or testing company any time via the BCA LEAP portal.
Do I need to print / replace the lift PTO certificate annually?
While you need to renew your lift PTO annually, you no longer need to print or replace your hardcopy PTO annually as it will no longer include an expiry date.
This only applies if your displayed PTO certificate:
Is generated by the BCA LEAP portal
Has no changes to the owner name, address, or lift number
Remains untorn and undamaged
If your PTO doesn't meet the aforementioned criteria and you have multiple lifts, you may batch print all the PTO certificates directly from the BCA LEAP portal.
Who is authorised to print the lift PTO?
Lift PTOs can only be printed by the lift owner, or their appointed representative.
Lift maintenance contractors and Specialist Professional Engineers (SPE) has no access and are not permitted to print the PTO.
Managing lifts can be complex, but you don't have to navigate it alone. For professional guidance and reliable lift maintenance support, feel free to reach out to Hin Chong. Our experienced team is here to help you maintain the highest standards of lift safety and performance!
