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IS 4666:1990 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for electric lifts. This standard covered the design, manufacture, dimensions, and safety requirements for electric passenger and goods lifts. It details structural provisions for lift wells and machine rooms, but has since been superseded by the comprehensive IS 14665 series.
Specifies the constructional and safety requirements for electric passenger and goods lifts (commonly referenced for older installations).
Overview
Status
Superseded — superseded by IS 14665 Series, then IS 17462 Series
EN 81-20:2020CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
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 lifts, representing the modern standard which evolved from the same principles as IS 4666.
EN 81-1:1985CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighWithdrawn
Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts and service lifts - Part 1: Electric lifts
Represents the direct European contemporary to IS 4666:1990, covering the same generation of electric lift technology and safety philosophy.
ASME A17.1-2019 / CSA B44-19ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) / CSA (Canadian Standards Association), North America
MediumCurrent
Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
A comprehensive North American standard for lifts with a different prescriptive structure but similar safety objectives.
BS 5655-1:1986BSI (British Standards Institution), United Kingdom
HighWithdrawn
Lifts and service lifts. Safety rules for the construction and installation of electric lifts
The British implementation of EN 81-1:1985, making it a very close historical equivalent to the Indian standard of the same era.
Key Differences
≠Modern standards like EN 81-20 mandate non-contact light curtains for door protection. IS 4666:1990 only requires a mechanical safety edge, which is a less effective and more damage-prone system.
≠Current international codes require Unintended Car Movement Protection (UCMP) to prevent the car from moving away from the landing with the doors open. This advanced safety feature is not present in IS 4666:1990.
≠EN 81-20 specifies significantly larger and more clearly defined refuge spaces in the pit and headroom for maintenance personnel, along with mandatory pit stop switches. The requirements in IS 4666:1990 are less stringent and smaller.
≠Lighting requirements in EN 81-20 are much higher (e.g., 100 lux in the car, 50 lux in the shaft) compared to the less specific and lower 'adequate lighting' requirements of the 1990 Indian standard.
≠Modern standards have comprehensive rules for ascending car overspeed protection and protection against rupture of the suspension means, which are more advanced than the basic governor and safety gear requirements of IS 4666:1990.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 4666:1990 and international standards mandate the use of an overspeed governor and a safety gear system to stop the car in case of overspeed in the down direction or suspension failure.
≈The fundamental principle of using multiple, independent steel wire ropes for suspension with a high factor of safety (typically 12 or more for passenger lifts) is a core similarity.
≈All standards require the lift to operate within a fully enclosed, fire-resistant hoistway (shaft) to ensure containment and protection.
≈The requirement for buffers (either energy-accumulating or energy-dissipating types depending on rated speed) at the bottom of the pit to cushion the car or counterweight is a common safety feature.
≈Core electrical safety principles, such as having a main lockable disconnect switch, overcurrent protection, and proper grounding/earthing of all metallic components, are common across all standards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Car Door Protection
Mechanical safety edge on the leading edge of the car door.
Non-contact detection system (e.g., light curtain) protecting the opening over a height of at least 1600 mm.
EN 81-20:2020
Car Interior Illumination
Specifies 'adequate illumination', often interpreted as 50 lux.
Minimum 100 lux at 1m above the floor and on control panels.
EN 81-20:2020
Hoistway Illumination
Requires permanent electric lighting, but without a specific lux value.
Minimum 50 lux measured 1m above the car roof and pit floor.
EN 81-20:2020
Pit Refuge Space (Crouching)
A block of 0.5m x 0.4m x 0.7m, generally smaller and less defined.
At least one space of 0.7m x 0.5m (base) x 1.0m (height).
EN 81-20:2020
Unintended Car Movement Protection (UCMP)
Not required.
Mandatory. A system to detect and stop unintended movement of the car away from the landing.
EN 81-20:2020
Minimum Safety Factor for Suspension Ropes
12 for passenger lifts (with 3 or more ropes).
12 (for traction drives with 3 or more ropes).
EN 81-20:2020
Landing Door Fire Rating
General requirement for fire resistance, typically 1 or 2 hours depending on local fire codes referenced.
Must have specific fire rating classifications (e.g., E, EW, EI) according to EN 13501-2, with minimum performance levels.
EN 81-20:2020
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values4
Quick Reference Values
suspension rope safety factor10 (minimum)
overspeed governor tripping speed115% of rated speed
car roof load capacity150 kg minimum
minimum clearance car and sill30 mm
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Standard Dimensions of Passenger Lifts
Table 2 - Minimum Clearances between Car and Lift Well Enclosure