Modernising an older lift can involve much more than replacing the lift car. Work may extend into the shaft, motor room, landings and parts of the building that haven’t been accessed or disturbed for years.
If the building was constructed or refurbished before 2000, asbestos could be present in some of these areas. So, what needs to be checked before lift modernisation begins?
Why Can Lift Modernisation Disturb Previously Hidden Asbestos?
Depending on the project, contractors may need to remove old equipment and panels, replace motors and controls, drill into walls or ceilings, alter landing entrances and access previously concealed areas within the lift shaft or motor room.
This means the asbestos information used to manage the building day to day may not provide enough detail for the planned work. HSE guidance states that work which disturbs the fabric of a building where asbestos could be hidden requires a more intrusive survey before work begins.
Where Might Asbestos Be Found Around an Older Lift?
Asbestos isn’t necessarily limited to one part of an older lift installation. It may be present within the lift shaft, surrounding building materials or older equipment in the motor room.
Lift Shafts
Asbestos insulating board (AIB) was commonly used for fire protection and is specifically identified by HSE as being found in lift shaft linings.
Depending on the building, asbestos-containing materials could also be present in surrounding panels, ceilings, textured coatings and other building materials within or adjoining the shaft.
Particular attention should be paid to areas that haven’t previously been accessed, especially where panels or other materials will need to be removed during the modernisation.
Lift Motor and Pulley Rooms
The motor room can present a slightly different issue because asbestos may be present within the building itself and in older plant or equipment.
Older machinery and electrical equipment can contain asbestos components, including gaskets, electrical switchgear and heat-resistant panels. Asbestos may also be present in surrounding insulation, boards, ceilings or other building materials.
This means the assessment shouldn’t stop at the walls and ceiling. Equipment that will be dismantled or removed may also need to be considered.
Lift Landings and Surrounding Areas
Lift modernisation can extend beyond the shaft and motor room. Work to landing entrances, door surrounds, walls, ceilings, floors or adjoining service areas may disturb other parts of the building.
The asbestos survey should cover all areas and materials that the planned modernisation is likely to disturb.
Is the Existing Asbestos Register Enough?
Not necessarily. Your asbestos register may contain useful information about known ACMs around the lift, but it was primarily created to help manage asbestos during normal occupation and maintenance.
Check whether the lift shaft, motor room and areas affected by the modernisation were actually inspected, and look for any access restrictions or areas that were excluded from the previous survey.
If the project will disturb areas that weren’t previously inspected, more intrusive investigation may be required before work begins.
Do You Need a Refurbishment and Demolition Survey Before Lift Modernisation?
If lift modernisation will involve disturbing the building fabric or opening up areas where hidden asbestos could be present, a refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey may be required before work begins.
Unlike a management survey, an R&D survey is intrusive. It is designed to locate asbestos-containing materials within areas that will be affected by refurbishment or demolition work, including materials hidden behind walls, panels and other building elements.
The survey should be properly scoped around the planned lift works, which could include the shaft, motor room, affected landings and any other areas that will be opened up or disturbed.
Learn more about why you need an asbestos survey before renovation or demolition in our full guide here.
What Information Does the Asbestos Surveyor Need From the Lift Contractor?
Before the survey is scoped, establish:
- What existing lift equipment will be removed
- Which parts of the shaft need to be accessed
- Whether walls, ceilings, panels or linings will be opened or removed
- Where drilling, fixings or new penetrations are planned
- Whether landing doors or surrounds will be altered
- What work will take place in the motor or pulley room
- Whether redundant equipment will be dismantled or removed
- Which other areas contractors will need to access
The survey can then be planned around the areas and materials that will actually be disturbed, rather than investigating parts of the building that aren’t affected by the project.
What Happens If Asbestos Is Found?
Finding asbestos doesn’t necessarily mean the lift modernisation can’t go ahead. What happens next will depend on the material identified, its condition and location, and whether the planned work is likely to disturb it.
In some cases, the work may be adjusted so the asbestos can remain safely in place. Where this isn’t possible, the ACM may need to be professionally removed before the affected part of the modernisation can proceed.
For commercial properties, Malrod can provide commercial asbestos removal where required as part of the project.
Who Needs the Asbestos Information Before Work Starts?
Finding and recording asbestos is only useful if the information reaches the people who need it.
The relevant survey findings should be shared with those planning, managing and carrying out the lift modernisation.
Depending on the project, this could include the facilities manager, principal contractor, lift contractor, asbestos surveyor, removal contractor and any other trades working in affected areas.
Don’t wait until engineers arrive on site to hand over the asbestos information. Sharing it during the planning and quotation stages gives contractors the opportunity to account for known ACMs before work begins.
What If Suspected Asbestos Is Discovered During Lift Works?
Even with appropriate surveys and planning, previously hidden or unexpected materials can sometimes be uncovered once work gets underway.
If a material is discovered that could contain asbestos, work in the affected area should stop and the material should be left undisturbed. Access should be restricted where necessary and the site’s procedures followed so the material can be assessed before work resumes.
If material has already been damaged or disturbed, read our guide to [what to do if asbestos is accidentally disturbed].
A Pre-Modernisation Asbestos Checklist
Before lift modernisation begins, check that you have:
☐ Reviewed the building’s existing asbestos information
☐ Confirmed whether the lift shaft and motor room were previously inspected
☐ Checked the existing survey for inaccessible or “no access” areas
☐ Obtained a clear scope of work from the lift contractor
☐ Identified which surfaces, equipment and concealed areas will be disturbed
☐ Arranged a suitably scoped refurbishment and demolition survey where required
☐ Dealt with any ACMs that need to be removed before work begins
☐ Shared the relevant asbestos information with the lift contractor and other affected trades
☐ Agreed what should happen if unexpected suspect materials are uncovered
Asbestos in Lift Shafts FAQs
Can Asbestos Be Found Inside Old Lift Equipment?
Yes. Asbestos wasn’t only used in building materials. Older lift machinery and electrical equipment may contain asbestos components such as gaskets, heat-resistant panels and parts within older electrical equipment.
If legacy equipment is going to be dismantled or removed during modernisation, it should be considered as part of the asbestos assessment rather than only checking the surrounding walls, ceilings and lift shaft.
Does an Asbestos Management Survey Include Lift Shafts?
It can. HSE guidance identifies lift shafts as one of the areas that may need to be inspected during an asbestos survey.
However, always check the existing survey rather than assuming the shaft was fully inspected. Access restrictions may mean that some areas weren’t reached or were excluded from the original survey.
What If the Lift Shaft Was Marked ‘No Access’ on the Previous Asbestos Survey?
Don’t assume that an area marked ‘no access’ is asbestos-free. HSE guidance states that where an area hasn’t been accessed and there is no other evidence available, it should be presumed to contain asbestos and managed accordingly.
If lift modernisation will now require access to that area, further investigation may be needed before work begins.
Can Lift Engineers Work Around Asbestos That Is Being Left in Place?
Potentially, provided the asbestos is in a safe condition and the planned work won’t disturb it.
The lift contractor needs to know where the asbestos is and what precautions or restrictions apply before work starts. If the modernisation would disturb the ACM, the plans will need to be reconsidered and the material may need to be dealt with first.
Who Should Arrange the Asbestos Survey Before Lift Modernisation?
For non-domestic premises, responsibility for managing asbestos generally sits with the person or organisation responsible for maintenance and repair of the building, often referred to as the dutyholder.
This could be the building owner, landlord or another party depending on the responsibilities set out in the lease or contract.
The survey should be arranged early enough for its findings to be taken into account when the lift modernisation is planned, rather than once contractors are ready to start work.
Planning Lift Modernisation in an Older Building?
If you’re planning lift replacement or modernisation in a commercial building constructed before 2000, Malrod can carry out a refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey covering the areas that will be disturbed.
If asbestos is identified and needs to be dealt with before the lift works begin, we also provide commercial asbestos removal across the UK.
To discuss your project, call Malrod on 01942 811591 or complete our contact form and a member of our team will be in touch.