As facilities management teams adapt to ongoing regulatory change, new research suggests that uncertainty around compliance and inconsistent record-keeping may be affecting lift and escalator fire safety within wider building fire strategies.
In February 2026, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) became a standalone public body, separating from the Health and Safety Executive to provide more focused oversight of building safety. The change forms part of broader efforts to strengthen fire and safety standards across the built environment.
Against this backdrop, research commissioned by PEW Electrical points to lift and escalator systems as an area where compliance complexity may be creating practical difficulties, particularly in residential and mixed-use buildings.
The study indicates that many facilities management (FM) professionals remain unsure about how to apply building safety legislation in day-to-day practice. Almost half (44%) of respondents said they are unclear about their obligations under the Building Safety Act, while 56% reported uncertainty around documentation and accountability requirements. A further 46% stated they were unaware of the BSR’s inspection expectations for lifts and escalators.
Information management was also identified as a concern. Nearly half (47%) of those surveyed said that fragmented and inconsistent record-keeping is common across the industry, raising questions about how effectively the “golden thread” of safety information is being maintained throughout lift supply chains.
When asked about barriers to achieving fire safety compliance, respondents most frequently cited operational and logistical challenges rather than lack of intent. These included keeping pace with evolving fire safety standards (29%), coordinating multiple contractors and stakeholders (24%), and budget pressures affecting inspection frequency and quality (18%).
Technical challenges were also noted, with 17% highlighting the difficulty of upgrading existing systems to meet current fire safety requirements.
The findings reflect the specialist role that lifts play within wider fire strategies. While lifts are integral to evacuation planning and firefighter access, responsibility for their design, maintenance, inspection and documentation often spans several organisations, which can increase the likelihood of gaps in oversight and accountability.
Despite these challenges, the research suggests that routine maintenance and preparedness activities are widely undertaken. Eight in ten (80%) respondents said they conduct fire safety inspections and maintenance for lifts and escalators at least twice a year. Three quarters (74%) reported that fire evacuation plans are regularly practised with occupants, and 85% said they are confident in the effectiveness of their fire safety procedures during emergencies.
Commenting on the findings, Jason Clark, registered engineer and Chairman at PEW Electrical, said: “It’s clear that facilities managers are taking fire safety seriously: inspections are happening regularly, and there’s a strong focus on operational performance. But compliance today is about much more than maintenance alone. It’s about documentation, accountability, and making sure technical decisions are properly coordinated across the supply chain.”
“Lifts sit at the centre of fire strategy, accessibility and emergency response. If those systems are managed in isolation, or if information is fragmented between contractors, it becomes very difficult for dutyholders to be confident that risks are being fully controlled.”
“Adding to the challenge, facilities teams are under pressure to retrofit and demonstrate compliance in buildings that were never designed for modern evacuation strategies.”
The research suggests that, as regulatory enforcement increases, lift fire safety may continue to present challenges unless improvements are made in regulatory understanding, technical competence and supply chain coordination.
“We know that the FM sector is committed to safety. But what’s needed now is greater alignment between operational activity and regulatory assurance – and this can’t be achieved if we continue to operate in silos.”
Clark concluded: “We need better collaboration between lift specialists, engineers, managing agents and suppliers if we are serious about supporting FMs, ensuring compliance, and genuinely strengthening safety outcomes.”