When is a Lift not a Lift?

Over the last 10 years many types of lifting devices found in buildings have started to look and act the same. This blurring of products has implications for suitability, safety and equipment reliability - particularly where the underlying driver for this is cost. This paper examines the types of devices available, the standards which should apply to their design, manufacture and installation and proposes guidelines to the recommended selection criteria for each type of device.