IS 14665 Part 1 : 1999Code of Practice for Installation, Operation and Maintenance of Electric Passenger and Goods Lifts — Part 1: Passenger and Goods Lifts
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IS 14665:1999 Part 1 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for installation, operation and maintenance of electric passenger and goods lifts — part 1: passenger and goods lifts. This code of practice specifies the requirements for the installation, operation, testing, and maintenance of electric traction passenger and goods lifts. It ensures safety and reliability by detailing procedures for pre-installation checks, on-site work, final inspection, handover, and periodic maintenance schedules. It is a fundamental document for lift installers, inspectors, and building maintenance personnel in India.
Provides general requirements for the installation, operation and maintenance of electric passenger and goods lifts (commonly referenced for installations from its period).
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Ensuring the correct functioning of the door locking mechanism (interlock) is the single most critical safety check during installation and maintenance.
! Verification of the fire rating for landing doors must align with the building's overall fire strategy and the fire rating of the shaft wall, as specified in the National Building Code.
! The door reopening device (light curtain or safety edge) must be tested across its full height to ensure it detects small obstructions, not just at a single point.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
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International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
EN 81-20:2020CEN (European Union)
HighCurrent
Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts — Lifts for the transport of persons and goods — Part 20: Passenger and goods passenger lifts
Covers safety rules for new passenger and goods passenger lifts, serving as the primary modern European benchmark.
Comprehensive North American standard covering design, construction, operation, and maintenance of elevators, with different terminology and some philosophical differences.
ISO 8100-1:2019ISO (International)
HighCurrent
Lifts for the transport of persons and goods — Part 1: Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts — Lifts for the transport of persons and goods passenger
International standard technically harmonized with EN 81-20, intended for global adoption.
EN 81-1:1998+A3:2009CEN (European Union)
HighWithdrawn
Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts — Part 1: Electric lifts
The direct predecessor to EN 81-20 and a likely major influence on the 1999 version of IS 14665.
Key Differences
≠Modern international standards like EN 81-20 mandate a system to detect and stop Unintended Car Movement (UCM) from a landing with the doors open. IS 14665:1999 does not have an explicit requirement for a dedicated UCM protection device.
≠EN 81-20 requires a two-way voice communication system connecting the lift car to a permanently manned rescue service. IS 14665:1999 primarily requires a simple emergency alarm bell audible outside the hoistway.
≠Refuge spaces in the pit and headroom are more stringently defined in EN 81-20, specifying volumes for standing and crouching postures (e.g., 0.4m x 0.5m x 2.0m for standing). IS 14665:1999 specifies minimum clearances, which are less prescriptive than the volumetric 'safe space' concept.
≠EN 81-20 mandates a full-height light curtain for door protection on new lifts, whereas IS 14665:1999 allows for mechanical safety edges, which are an older and less comprehensive form of passenger protection.
≠Accessibility requirements are significantly more detailed in dedicated standards like EN 81-70 (referenced by EN 81-20) concerning button dimensions, tactile markings, voice announcers, and color contrast. IS 14665:1999 has very basic provisions, with detailed accessibility requirements typically covered in India's National Building Code.
Key Similarities
≈Both the IS code and international standards mandate the fundamental safety combination of an overspeed governor to detect excessive speed and a safety gear system to mechanically grip the guide rails and stop the car.
≈Both standards require the use of buffers at the bottom of the hoistway to protect against over-travel, and both specify the same threshold: energy accumulation (spring) type buffers are permissible up to 1.0 m/s, while energy dissipation (oil) type buffers are mandatory for speeds exceeding 1.0 m/s.
≈The core principle of using electrical interlocks on all hoistway doors to prevent the lift from running while any door is open is a fundamental and common requirement in both IS 14665 and its international counterparts.
≈Both standards specify a minimum safety factor for the steel wire suspension ropes to ensure redundancy and prevent failure. The commonly applied minimum factor of 12 for traction lifts with three or more ropes is a shared benchmark.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Normal Car Illumination
Specifies 'adequate illumination' without a numeric value.
Minimum 100 lux at floor level.
EN 81-20:2020
Emergency Car Illumination
Minimum 0.2 lux for 1 hour.
Minimum 5 lux for 1 hour on the emergency power supply.
EN 81-20:2020
Buffer Type Speed Threshold
Energy dissipation type required for speeds > 1.0 m/s.
Energy dissipation type required for speeds > 1.0 m/s.
EN 81-20:2020
Kinetic Energy of Closing Doors
Shall not exceed 10 J.
Shall not exceed 10 J.
EN 81-20:2020
Car Ventilation Area
Effective area of not less than 1% of the car floor area.
Effective area of not less than 1% of the available car floor area.
EN 81-20:2020
Pit Refuge Space (Standing Position)
Specifies minimum clearances (e.g., 500 mm under car on buffer), not a volumetric space.
Requires a defined volume of at least 0.4 m x 0.5 m (base) x 2.0 m (height).
EN 81-20:2020
Suspension Ropes Safety Factor (3+ ropes)
Minimum factor of 12.
Minimum factor of 12 (derived from calculation methods).
EN 81-20:2020
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Minimum clear opening height2.0 m
Maximum force to prevent door closing150 N
Maximum kinetic energy of power operated doors10 J
Minimum fire resistance for landing doors1 hour (or half of shaft's fire resistance)
Minimum dimension of vision panel clear area60 mm
Maximum gap between closed door panels or door and frame6 mm
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Minimum Clearances in Lift-Well for Lifts with Counterweight at the Rear
Table 2 - List of Tests to be Conducted on Site Before Handing Over the Lift
Key Clauses
Clause 5 - Dimensions of Door Openings
Clause 6 - Locking Devices
Clause 8 - Protection in Relation to Door Operation
What is the maximum force allowed for a closing lift door?+
The force needed to prevent the door from closing should not exceed 150 N (Clause 8.1.3).
What is the minimum fire rating for landing doors?+
The fire resistance of landing doors must be at least half of the fire resistance of the lift well enclosure, with a minimum of one hour (Clause 11.1).
What is the minimum clear opening height for a lift door?+
The minimum clear height for both car and landing doors shall be 2.0 metres (Clause 5.1).
What is the maximum allowable gap between closed door panels?+
The clearance between panels, or between panels and the frame, should not exceed 6 mm (Clause 9).