EN 81-3: Small Service Lift Standard — Rated Load 300 kg, Car Dimensions, Interlocked Doors and Drive Types

EN 81-3:2000+A2:2017 (Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts — Part 3: Electric and hydraulic service lifts) covers small goods lifts (service lifts, dumbwaiters) that are not designed to carry persons. Scope criteria: rated load ≤300 kg, car floor area ≤1 m², car height ≤1.2 m — limits that prevent an adult person from entering the car. Key requirements: (1) Car access — doors or flaps at service levels open only when car is present and stationary (interlocked); (2) Control — typically constant-pressure control (hold-to-run) or call-and-send; (3) Safety — simplified safety circuit, parachute or counterweight, buffer, overload protection; (4) Maintenance access — restricted access to hoistway required; (5) Drive — electric (drum or traction) or hydraulic. When a goods lift exceeds these criteria (car height >1.2 m or area >1 m²), EN 81-20/50 applies instead. Common applications: hospital meal distribution (food service lifts), document lifts in offices, library book lifts, restaurant dumbwaiters. Note: EN 81-31 covers accessible small platform lifts (goods-only, person-accessible); EN 81-41 covers stairlifts.

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