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IS 3801:1986 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for installation of lifts and escalators. This code of practice outlines the guidelines and best practices for the installation of lifts and escalators in buildings. It specifies essential spatial, structural, and electrical requirements, ensuring safety, appropriate clearances, machine room planning, and coordination among architects, structural engineers, and lift manufacturers.
Provides guidelines for the safe design, installation, and maintenance of lifts and escalators in buildings.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Ensure the lift pit is completely waterproofed prior to installation, as moisture can damage buffers and electrical safety switches.
! The lift shaft must remain exclusive to lift equipment; routing unrelated utilities (such as plumbing or general building HVAC) through the lift well is strictly prohibited.
! Ensure exact plumb alignment of guide rails during installation to prevent cabin vibrations and ensure smooth high-speed operation.
EN 81-20:2020CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
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
Defines modern safety rules for lift design and installation, representing the evolution of principles in IS 3801.
EN 115-1:2017+A1:2020CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Safety of escalators and moving walks - Part 1: Construction and installation
Serves as the modern European equivalent for the escalator portion of the IS code's scope.
ASME A17.1-2019 / CSA B44-19ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) / CSA (Canadian Standards Association), USA/Canada
HighCurrent
Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
Comprehensive North American standard covering design, installation, and maintenance for both lifts and escalators.
BS 2655-1:1970BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
MediumWithdrawn
Specification for Lifts, escalators, passenger conveyors and paternosters. General requirements for electric, hydraulic and hand-powered lifts
Represents the generation of standards upon which the principles of IS 3801:1986 were likely based.
Key Differences
≠IS 3801:1986 is significantly less detailed and is primarily an 'installation practice' code, whereas modern standards like EN 81-20 are comprehensive safety codes covering design, manufacturing, installation, and testing.
≠Modern international standards mandate advanced safety features not present in IS 3801, such as Unintended Car Movement Protection (UCMP), Ascending Car Overspeed Protection (ACOP), and full-height non-contact light curtains for doors.
≠Requirements for accessibility for persons with disabilities are minimal or non-existent in IS 3801, but are extensively detailed in modern codes (e.g., EN 81-70, ADA requirements in ASME A17.1).
≠IS 3801 has been largely superseded in Indian practice by newer standards (e.g., IS 14665 series for lifts) which are harmonized with the EN 81 series, making IS 3801 technologically obsolete.
≠Fire protection and firefighter's lift requirements in EN 81-72 and ASME A17.1 are far more specific and stringent than the general guidance provided in the 1986 Indian standard.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are built on the fundamental safety principle of a fully enclosed, fire-rated lift hoistway to ensure containment and structural integrity.
≈The core concept of using an overspeed governor to mechanically trip a safety gear and stop the car in an overspeed condition is a foundational and shared safety requirement.
≈All codes mandate the use of buffers (either energy-accumulating or dissipating types) at the bottom of the pit to provide emergency stopping for the car and counterweight.
≈The requirement for all landing doors to be equipped with electromechanical locks to prevent them from being opened unless the car is present and stopped is a universal safety feature.
≈All standards require a formal procedure of inspection and testing (including load tests) to be completed successfully before a new installation is handed over for public use.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Lift Car Illumination
Minimum 50 lux at floor level (as per contemporary IS 4666 for lifts)
Minimum 100 lux, 1m above the floor
EN 81-20:2020
Lift Door Protection
Mechanical safety edge is the typical specified device.
Non-contact detection system (light curtain) covering nearly the full door height is mandatory.
EN 81-20:2020
Protection against Unintended Car Movement (UCMP)
Not required or specified.
Mandatory requirement for all new lifts.
EN 81-20:2020
Escalator Angle of Inclination
Max 30°; or 35° if speed ≤ 0.5 m/s and rise ≤ 6 m (as per IS 4591 for escalators)
Max 30°; or 35° if speed ≤ 0.5 m/s and rise ≤ 6 m
EN 115-1:2017
Suspension Rope Safety Factor (Traction Lifts)
Typically 10 for ≥3 ropes; 12 for 2 ropes (as per contemporary IS 4666)
Minimum of 12 for traction drives (for ≥2 ropes)
EN 81-20:2020
Safety Space in Pit (Refuge Space)
Prescribes fixed minimum pit depths based on speed.
Requires defined refuge spaces (e.g., 0.5m x 0.6m x 2.0m) for a person, regardless of pit depth.
EN 81-20:2020
Maximum Escalator Speed (at 30° incline)
0.65 m/s (as per IS 4591)
0.75 m/s
EN 115-1:2017
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
minimum machine room clear height2000 mm
minimum pit depth passenger lift1500 mm
standard escalator angle of inclination30 degrees (up to 35 degrees under specific conditions)
maximum ambient temp machine room40 °C
minimum ambient temp machine room5 °C
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Minimum Dimensions of Lift Wells
Table 2 - Minimum Pit Depths and Overhead Clearances
Table 3 - Machine Room Dimensions
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Exchange of Information and Preparation of Building
Clause 5 - Lift Well, Machine Room and Pit Requirements
Clause 6 - Clearances and Tolerances
Clause 8 - Electrical Wiring and Apparatus
Clause 10 - Installation Requirements for Escalators