Car Top Stop Switch: EN 81-20 Red Latching Stop, Inspection Dead-Man 0.63 m/s, Priority Override, 0.5×0.6×1m Headroom, MRL Primary Control

The car top stop switch and inspection control (rooftop control box) is a mandatory EN 81-20 safety feature (cl. 14.2.1). Key requirements: (1) A stop switch (red, latching, 'STOP') on the car top that, when actuated, cuts the safety circuit and prevents all car movement — it must be operable before stepping onto the car top; (2) An inspection control box is required on the car top, allowing the engineer to move the car in either direction at inspection speed (≤0.63 m/s per EN 81-20) by holding a constant pressure (dead-man) control button — the car must stop immediately when the button is released; (3) The inspection control has an 'INSPECTION' switch that, when engaged, takes priority over all normal control and hall calls; (4) A power socket (typically 230V) on the car top for work lights and tools; (5) Emergency lighting for the car top; (6) EN 81-20 specifies minimum clearances above the car top (headroom): when the car is at the highest floor, there must be a safe working space of at least 0.5 m × 0.6 m × 1.0 m on the car roof for the engineer. The inspection control panel is distinct from the pit stop switch and from the machine room inspection control. All three must be interlocked so that only one inspection station can be active at a time. On MRL lifts, the inspection panel on the car top is typically the primary maintenance control location.

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