Fire Evacuation Lifts For Kent

Installing Critical Infrastructure for Building Safety

We tend not to think about worst-case scenarios when stepping into a lift, but for building managers, they are an essential component for planning. Fire evacuation lifts for Kent are the bridge between convenience and compliance. They operate as standard passenger lifts for everyday use, but they’re engineered with secondary power supplies and hardened protection. Which means that, in the event of a fire, the lift can serve as a primary escape route rather than a potential trap.

Working with the regulations around fire evacuation lifts requires experienced hands. Tower Lifts has specialised in this sector since 2006, long before the 2025 tightening of fire safety codes. We help building managers and architects design systems that work efficiently in daily use while strictly adhering to British Standards when the fire alarm sounds.

Meeting Modern Safety Standards

Current building regulations require compliant evacuation strategies for all occupants. For residential buildings and workplaces over 18m tall (or 10m below ground) reliance on stairs is a discrimination against anyone who has reduced mobility.

  • Inclusive Evacuation – Under the Equality Act 2010, building owners must anticipate the needs of all users. An evacuation lift ensures that wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments have a dignified, independent means of escape.
  • Firefighter Access – These lifts also support emergency services. Equipped with override controls, water protection, and trap doors, they allow firefighters to transport equipment and personnel rapidly to upper floors.
Meeting Modern Safety Standards

Essential Features of a Compliant Evacuation Lift

To meet BS 9999 and London Plan (Policy D5) requirements, an evacuation lift needs to be more resilient than a standard passenger unit. Our installations include, therefore:

  • Secondary Power Supply – Automatic switching to a generator or independent supply if mains power fails.
  • Structural Protection – Fire-rated shaft and landing doors to withstand heat and smoke.
  • Water Protection – IP-rated electrical components to prevent failure from sprinkler systems or fire hoses.
  • Communication Interface – A dedicated intercom system linking the lift car to the main evacuation management point.
  • Priority Control – A key-switch override allowing the evacuation manager to take full control of the lift.

Frequently Asked Questions – Fire Lift Essentials

You probably have a number of practical questions, right now. Here are the answers to some questions we regularly get asked by clients:

1. Is an evacuation lift mandatory?

For new builds over 18m or specific care facilities, yes. For older buildings, it is often the only way to meet the Equality Act 2010 regulations.

2. What happens if the power goes out?

These lifts must have a secondary power source (like a generator or separate protected cable) that kicks in automatically within 60 seconds.

3. Who maintains evacuation lifts?

You need a specialist lift company. Standard maintenance contracts often miss the specific testing required for emergency override switches and backup power.

4. Can a standard lift be retrofitted for fire evacuation?

It depends on your building’s existing infrastructure. While we have converted standard lifts into evacuation lifts, it’s only possible if there’s an existing fire-protected shaft and access to a backup power source. Our engineers can carry out a survey to tell you if your current lift is a suitable candidate for this kind of conversion.

Safe, Compliant, and Locally Trusted

We specialise in designing custom fire evacuation lifts for Kent that fit existing shafts, which minimises the disruption you experience during installation, while ensuring the safety of passengers. But our commitment goes beyond just installation.

Our local expertise is underpinned by our adherence to national industry standards. Our status as a LEIA member and Constructionline Gold supplier speaks to our technical capability. We manage every project under a quality framework certified to ISO 9001:2015. And, important for our work in occupied buildings, we adhere to ISO 45001 health and safety standards, ensuring that our presence on-site never compromises the safety of your residents or workforce.

Ready to upgrade your building’s safety? Contact our Kent team today to discuss your fire evacuation strategy or to book a comprehensive site survey – 01525 601099

We supply and install a varied range lifts throughout the UK including:

Domestic Lifts • Food Lifts • Bespoke Platform Lifts • Service Lifts • Platform Lifts • Goods Lifts • Scenic Lifts • Heavy Duty / Car Lifts • Passenger Lifts • Dumbwaiter Lifts • MRL Lifts • Fire lifts • Residential Lifts • low-Headroom Lifts