With the priority now inclusive design for all, evacuation lifts offer the chance for architects to go ‘beyond compliance,’ says Nick Mellor of LEIA.

The introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 and updates to BS 9991 and Approved Document B have reignited the conversation around safe and equitable evacuation. For architects, the growing emphasis on evacuation lifts is not merely a matter of regulatory alignment but an opportunity to lead in creating buildings that are truly inclusive, and futureproof.

Historically, evacuation strategies in high-rise and complex buildings have relied on staircases. This may serve able-bodied occupants well, but marginalises those with reduced mobility, older users, pregnant individuals, and others who may struggle to evacuate quickly in an emergency. The limitations of this traditional thinking have become increasingly apparent.

Designing for inclusivity means more than ensuring access; it encompasses the entire user experience, including how occupants can safely exit a building during an emergency. Evacuation lifts, thoughtfully integrated, offer a dignified and efficient solution for those who cannot use stairs, aligning closely with increasing social value.

Modern evacuation lifts are designed to remain operational during a fire, protected by the building design, provided with protected power supplies, robust communication systems, and water ingress protection. They have advanced control systems to respond to the building’s fire detection and alarm system.

When specified early in the design process, these lifts can be seamlessly incorporated into the building layout, reducing the need for additional structural alterations later, and ensuring aesthetics and functionality are not compromised.

The regulatory landscape for evacuation planning has recently shifted, with the government’s introduction of Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs), replacing the previously anticipated workplace-style PEEPs for residential settings. The London Plan now requires all new developments with lifts to include at least one evacuation lift per core.

There is a growing recognition that evacuation lifts can contribute positively to a building’s operational life. From a client perspective, this multifunctionality can be a powerful argument, balancing both inclusivity and efficiency without compromising on design.

For architects, the challenge and opportunity lie in moving evacuation lifts from a compliance checkbox to a design cornerstone. Doing so requires early-stage collaboration with lift consultants, fire engineers, and accessibility experts. By integrating the evacuation strategy into the overall design philosophy from day one, architects can avoid costly retrofits.

Nick Mellor is MD at The Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA)