The periodic in-depth inspection of an elevator installation by a competent person to ensure it remains safe to use, required by LOLER in the UK at minimum intervals of 6 months (with persons) or 12 months (goods only).
Full Definition
Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) in the UK, every elevator that carries persons must undergo a thorough examination at least every 6 months by a competent person (typically from an independent inspection body such as Allianz, Bureau Veritas, or LRQA). For goods-only lifts the interval is 12 months. The thorough examination is more rigorous than routine maintenance: the competent person must check all safety-critical components — safety gear, overspeed governor, buffers, door interlocks, terminal limit switches, safety circuit, emergency lighting, emergency communication, and car levelling — and test them under load where practicable. The competent person must produce a written report (LOLER report) which is legally required to be retained by the duty holder for at least 2 years. Defects are classified as: (A) dangerous — lift must be taken out of service immediately; or (B) requiring remedial action within a defined timescale. The duty holder (building owner or employer) has a legal obligation to remedy defects within the specified time. The competent person may also notify the enforcing authority (HSE) if a dangerous defect is not rectified.
