Lift and Escalator Safety in India: IS 17900, State Lift Acts, and Compliance Guide
Lifts and escalators in India are governed by a combination of national standards and state laws. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) publishes the technical standards, the National Building Code (NBC) sets building requirements, and individual states regulate registration, licensing, and inspection. This guide explains how these pieces fit together after the introduction of IS 17900.Key Update: IS 17900 Is Now in Force
IS 17900 became mandatory on 22 December 2025 for all new lift installations, safety components, and major modernizations nationwide. It withdrew and replaced IS 14665, IS 15785, and IS 14671. The series is aligned with international benchmarks such as EN 81-20/50. It also brings Indian practice closer to ISO 8100.
What this means in practice:
- New lifts must be designed, built, and certified to IS 17900.
- Older standards, such as IS 14665, still appear on lifts installed before the change and in older documents. Do not use them as the basis for new installations.
- Thousands of technicians across India need to be trained on the new code, and adding safety features carries upfront costs.
- The aim is “One Nation, One Code”: one lift and escalator standard and one certification system across India, backed by consistent enforcement and licensing.
- Adoption is still uneven across states, and more parts of the series are being rolled out.
What IS 17900 Replaces?
| Earlier standard | Covered | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 14665 (Parts 1 to 5) | Electric traction lifts: dimensions, installation, safety rules, components, inspection | Replaced by IS 17900 |
| IS 14671 | Hydraulic lifts: installation and maintenance | Replaced by IS 17900 |
| IS 15785 | Lifts without conventional machine rooms | Replaced by IS 17900 |
Parts 1 and 2 of IS 17900 together supersede IS 14665 (Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4), IS 14671, and IS 15785. Part 5, the guide for inspection of lifts, replaces the earlier inspection manual and now also covers hydraulic lifts. (new) Part 1 combines traction, hydraulic, and machine-room-less lifts in one standard.
The IS 17900 Series at a Glance
IS 17900 is a multi-part series called “Lifts for the Transport of Persons and Goods.” Parts confirmed in my search:
- Part 1 (2022): Safety Rules. This is the core safety standard, and it includes a list of electric safety devices and guidance on verifying the safety requirements.
- Part 2: Design Rules, Calculations, Examinations, and Tests of Lift Components. (new) This part covers how lift components are designed and tested.
- Part 5: Guide for Inspection of Lifts. It covers inspection from a safety point of view and also covers personal safety during inspection, including safety goggles, shoes with toe guards, and helmets.
- Part 11: Safety Norms for Existing Lifts. It gives guidance on modernizing older lifts.
- (new) Further parts: Part 7 includes sections on home lifts and on lifts under seismic conditions, which were announced for publication. BIS’s work program also lists parts on electrical requirements, maintenance of lifts, and passenger lifts in existing buildings. Check the BIS website for the current list.
What Is New for Safety
IS 17900 brings European-style safety requirements into Indian practice. Key features include:
- Unintended car movement protection (UCMP): stops the car if it moves away from the landing with the doors open.
- Ascending car overspeed protection (ACOP): stops the car if it overspeeds in the up direction.
- (new) Emergency lighting backup: at least one hour.
- Stronger door interlocks, governor and safety gear, and buffer requirements.
- Mandatory type-test certification for critical safety components.
- (new) Components that need type-test certification include doors, safety gears, buffers, overspeed devices, UCMP and ACOP systems, rupture valves, and electronic safety components.
- Third-party inspection and certification under accredited bodies. For example, TÜV SÜD announced NABCB accreditation to inspect and certify lifts to IS 17900.
- Improvements for passengers and service engineers in terms of protective measures, personal safety during maintenance, and clearer verification of safety requirements.
Certification and Documentation
- Type examination certificates: a licensed lift certification body (LCB) issues a certificate based on the test report. The manufacturer becomes the certificate holder and can use it to prove compliance to authorities, inspectors, and clients.
- Model lifts: in some systems, the design of a whole lift range can be certified as a “model lift,” with documentation showing how the essential safety requirements are met. Check whether this route applies in India before mentioning it to your readers.
- Compliance declaration: a reputable supplier provides a declaration of conformity to IS 17900 and the relevant test certificates for the installation.
- NABCB accreditation: certification bodies in India are being accredited, for example through NABCB, to certify lift safety to IS 17900.
- Keep records: keep the installation certificate, component test certificates, inspection reports, and maintenance logbooks together for inspections.
Existing Lifts and Modernization
Many lifts in India predate IS 17900, so the series includes provisions for them.
- Almost half of the lifts in use in India are reported to be 20 to 30 years old or older.
- Part 11 (Safety Norms for Existing Lifts): it provides requirements to improve the safety of existing passenger and goods lifts. The standard encourages owners to meet their duties under existing regulations and to upgrade voluntarily where no regulation exists.
- Replacing a lift in an existing building: a separate standard covers replacing an existing passenger or goods lift in an existing lift well. It allows for some requirements of IS 17900 to be relaxed where the building structure prevents compliance.
- Heritage and structural limits: such relaxations apply only where full compliance is not physically possible, and they are subject to the standard’s own conditions.
- Major modernizations: these must now comply with IS 17900. Ask your contractor to confirm in writing whether a planned upgrade counts as a “major modernization."
- Practical steps for owners of older lifts: get a risk assessment, list the safety gaps (for example, door interlocks, UCMP, emergency lighting, and governor and safety gear), and plan upgrades in stages.
Other Indian Standards Still Referenced
| Standard | Subject |
|---|---|
| IS 4591 | Code of practice for installation and maintenance of escalators |
| IS 15259 | Installation and maintenance of home lifts |
| IS 15330 | Installation and maintenance of lifts for persons with disabilities |
| IS 17386 | Replacement of existing electric traction passenger and goods lifts in existing buildings |
| NBC 2016, Part 8, Section 5 | Installation of lifts and escalators in buildings |
| IS 17491 | Existing lifts (safety norms) |
The National Building Code (NBC) requires lifts in certain buildings, including fire lifts and stretcher lifts in high-rise buildings. It works alongside IS 17900 and the state lift acts.
State Lift Acts and Rules
There is no single central lift act in India. Regulation is state-specific, and only some states and union territories have their own acts or rules. One industry article counts 14 states with lift acts and rules out 29 states and union territories. States without one typically defer to BIS standards and the NBC.
| State | Act or rules |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Maharashtra Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Act, 2017 (replaced the Bombay Lift Act, 1939) |
| Delhi | Delhi Lift Rules, 1942 (framed under the Bombay Lift Act, 1939) |
| West Bengal | West Bengal Lifts and Escalators Act, 1955, and West Bengal Lifts, Escalators, and Travelators Act, 2019 |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil Nadu Lifts and Escalators Act, 1997 |
| Gujarat | Gujarat Lifts and Escalators Act, 2000 |
| Karnataka | Karnataka Lifts, Escalators, and Passenger Conveyors Act, 2012 |
| Kerala | Kerala Lifts and Escalators Act, 2013 |
| Haryana | Haryana Lifts and Escalators Act, with 2020 amendments |
| Uttar Pradesh | Uttar Pradesh Lifts and Escalators Act, 2024 |
| Assam | Assam Lift and Escalators Rules |
| Himachal Pradesh | Himachal Pradesh Lift and Escalator Rules |
| Jharkhand | Jharkhand Lift and Escalator Rules |
States that mandate Indian Standards: one industry article lists seven states where Indian Standards on lifts are mandatory: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Other sources say states are adding IS 17900 references to their acts on a rolling basis, so the list may have changed. Check with your state’s lift inspectorate.
If your state has no lift act, local authorities usually rely on the NBC and the BIS standards. Contact the municipal or building authority to understand what they require for approval and occupancy.
Common Requirements Across State Acts
- Registration: register the lift with the state authority.
- Licensing: only licensed contractors may install and maintain lifts.
- Inspection: a competent person must inspect before first use, after modifications, and periodically (often annually).
- Safety conditions: no movement with open doors, working emergency lighting, and fire safety provisions.
- Logbooks: keep detailed records of maintenance and testing.
- Penalties: fines and suspension for non-compliance.
- (new) Operating license or certificate: Many states require a license or certificate of fitness before a lift can operate, renewed on a regular cycle.
- (new) Accident reporting: serious accidents and dangerous occurrences must usually be reported to the lift inspectorate.
- (new) Competent persons: inspections and maintenance should be done by licensed or authorized persons.
- (new) Display of certificates: some states require the license or inspection certificate to be displayed in or near the lift.
The Approval Path for a New Lift
The exact steps depend on your state, but a typical sequence is:
- Plan: check NBC and local building bye-laws for lift requirements, including fire lifts and accessibility.
- Choose a supplier: ask for an IS 17900 compliance declaration and the type-test certificates for safety components.
- Get installation permission from the state lift authority, where your state requires it.
- Install and commission through a licensed contractor.
- Inspect: the government inspector or an accredited third party inspects the lift.
- Obtain the licence or certificate to operate.
- Maintain and renew: follow a maintenance contract and renew the licence or certificate on schedule.
Duties by Role
Building owners, developers, and facility managers
- Specify IS 17900 compliance in tenders and contracts for new lifts.
- Keep registration, licences, inspection certificates, and logbooks up to date.
- Hire only licensed contractors, and keep annual maintenance contracts current.
- Plan upgrades for older lifts, and take unsafe lifts out of service until repaired.
- Report accidents and entrapments as the law requires.
Manufacturers, installers, and contractors
- Use type-tested and certified safety components.
- Train staff on IS 17900 and the inspection guide.
- Follow the testing and verification steps in the standard, and keep records of every test and repair.
- Keep technician safety first, including lockout/tagout and fall protection.
Inspectors and certification bodies
- Hold the right accreditation and training for IS 17900.
- Industry sources report a shortage of accredited third-party bodies, trained inspectors, and certified labs for type testing, so plan for lead times.
Residents and passengers
- Look for a valid inspection certificate or licence where your state requires it to be displayed.
- Report faults, door problems, or unusual movement to building management right away.
- Never force doors, hold doors with objects, or try to leave a stalled lift on your own.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Fines, suspension, or sealing of the lift under state law.
- According to a certification-body announcement, non-compliance can lead to severe penalties, rejected occupancy certificates, and invalidated insurance coverage. These consequences depend on your state and insurer, so confirm them locally.
- Delays in project handover and in receiving occupancy certificates.
- Legal and reputational risk if an accident occurs.
Quick Compliance Checklist
- Does the new lift come with an IS 17900 compliance declaration?
- Do the safety components have valid type-test certificates?
- Is the lift registered, inspected, and licensed under your state’s act?
- Is the annual maintenance contract with a licensed contractor current?
- Are logbooks, inspection reports, and certificates available?
- Are emergency lighting, alarm, and intercom working and tested?
- Is there a plan for upgrading older lifts?
- Do technicians have training on IS 17900?
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