EN 81-43 Construction Hoist: Rack-and-Pinion Mast Drive, Overspeed Safety Gear, Landing Gates and Temporary Installation Rules

EN 81-43:2009 (Safety rules for the construction of and installation of lifts — Special lifts — Part 43: Construction hoists for persons and materials) applies to rack-and-pinion (mast climber) construction hoists used on building sites for transporting workers and materials during construction and maintenance. Scope: (1) Drive system — rack-and-pinion drive on a temporary mast (tower); motor and pinion assembly mounted on the car; (2) Mast — sectional steel lattice mast, progressively extended as the building rises; anchored to the building structure at regular intervals; (3) Safety devices: overspeed governor with centrifugal pawl safety gear (grabs the rack if descent speed exceeds limit), slack rope device, limit switches at top and bottom of travel, gate interlocks at all landing levels; (4) Capacity — typically 1000–3200 kg, up to 100 m/min; (5) Enclosure — the car must be enclosed (walls, door, roof) to prevent tools or materials falling from height; (6) Landing gates — self-closing gates at all levels served; (7) Electrical safety — RCD protection, emergency stop, intercom. Differences from permanent elevators (EN 81-20): temporary installation, rack-and-pinion (not rope traction), mast anchor points at ≤9 m intervals, daily inspection required, equipment must be dismantled after construction. EN 81-43 is the European standard; the UK uses LOLER and BS 7212 alongside it.

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