SS 8 covers lifts, escalators, travelators and other systems that move people or goods within buildings: passenger lifts (8/1), platform, low-speed and service lifts (8/2), and escalators and moving walks (8/3). MBIE's handbook sets out annual IQP inspections against standards such as NZS 4332 and EN 115-1.
At a glance
| Specified system | SS 8 |
| Official name | Lifts, escalators, travelators, or other systems for moving people or goods within buildings |
| Sub-categories | SS 8/1 Passenger-carrying lifts SS 8/2 Platform, low-speed and service lifts SS 8/3 Escalators and moving walks |
| Typical intervals | Annual (varies by task; see below) |
| Standards often cited | NZS 4332, EN 81-20, EN 81, NZS 4334, EN 115-1 |
| Annual certificate | Form 12A from an IQP, attached to the building warrant of fitness |
What SS 8 covers
- Passenger-carrying lifts must be listed in all cases; examples a high-speed office elevator and a platform lift for disabled access.[1]
- 8/2 covers platform and low-speed lifts (typically low-rise, 0.3 m/s or less) other than in a single household unit, and service lifts such as dumb waiters, book hoists, vehicle stacking systems and stage lifts.[1]
- 8/3 examples: a mall escalator and a horizontal moving walkway; must be listed in all cases.[1]
- Lifts need building consent and a code compliance certificate; the compliance schedule then sets ongoing maintenance and inspection carried out by IQPs.[2]
- A household unit with a cable car needs a compliance schedule for the cable car only.[1]
How often it is inspected
| System | Daily | Weekly | Monthly | 3-monthly | 6-monthly | Annual | 2–5 yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 8 Lifts and escalators | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Task | Typical frequency | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 8/1 annual checklist (Handbook pp 30-32) / NZS 4332 or EN 81 tests | Annual | IQP[3] |
| Test interface with building emergency warning system, if connected | Annual | —[1] |
| 8/2 inspection to NZS 4334 Appendix A / checklist pp 34-35 | Annual | IQP[3] |
| 8/3 inspection to EN 115-1 / checklist p 37 | Annual | IQP[3] |
| Keep IQP reports | 2 years | Owner[2] |
What an inspection typically covers
- 8/1 machine room: supports, door security, lighting, ventilation, circuit diagrams, hand-winding equipment.[1]
- 8/1 machinery: sheaves, brake operation and linings, governor.[1]
- 8/1 lift well and pit: hoisting ropes and terminations, guide rails, buffers, pit safety switch.[1]
- 8/1 car: safety gear, door protective devices, rating plate, alarms and emergency telephone, emergency trapdoor.[1]
- 8/1 landing doors: locks, emergency opening, door operation.[1]
- 8/1 hydraulic lifts: hoses, ram, cylinder, flow restriction valve, manual lowering, anti-creep device.[1]
- 8/1 operation: safety switches, emergency lighting, fire-condition operation, load weighing device.[1]
- 8/1 accessibility: floor levelling, door dwell time, landing indicators, handrails.[1]
- 8/1 general: incorrect repairs or modifications; maintenance records kept.[1]
- 8/2: machinery space, brake, drive belts, safety gear, landing door interlocks, slack-rope and emergency switches.[1]
- 8/3: stop switches, overspeed protection, brakes, steps/pallets, comb plates, balustrades and skirting, handrails.[1]
Standards commonly cited
| Standard | Title |
|---|---|
| NZS 4332:1997 | Non-domestic passenger and goods lifts (as modified by D2/AS1); Part 4 Tests for inspection[3] |
| EN 81-20:2014 | Safety rules for lifts for transport of persons and goods (as modified by D2/AS1); Annex C.1[3] |
| EN 81 Part 1 or 2, Annex D clause D.2 | Annual tests plus Handbook checklist pp 30-32 for EN 81 lifts[1] |
| Power Lift Rules | Rules in force at installation, for lifts installed before the Building Act 1991[1] |
| NZS 4334:2012 Appendix A | Platform lifts and low-speed lifts; Appendix A Inspection and routine maintenance[3] |
| Rules for Power Lifts Not Exceeding 750 Watts (1 H.P.) | For 8/2 installations predating D2/AS2[1] |
| EN 115-1:2008 clause 7.4 | Safety of escalators and moving walks (as modified by D2/AS3)[1] |
Titles as listed in council and MBIE documents. Inspections follow the standard and edition named in the building's compliance schedule, usually the edition the system was installed to. Changing to a different edition needs an amendment to the compliance schedule.
Building Code context
- Consent requires showing the lift meets NZBC Clause D2 Mechanical installations for access, via D2 Acceptable Solution or an alternative solution.[2]
- Handbook cites D2/AS1 (lifts, NZS 4332 / EN 81), D2/AS2 (platform and low-speed lifts, NZS 4334), D2/AS3 (escalators and moving walks, EN 115).[1]
Questions
How often is SS 8 inspected?
MBIE and council guidance shows tasks at these intervals: annual, with an IQP certifying the system each year. The building's compliance schedule sets the actual frequency.
Which standards apply to SS 8?
Commonly cited: NZS 4332, EN 81-20, EN 81, NZS 4334, EN 115-1. The compliance schedule names the standard and edition for each building.
Who can certify SS 8?
An independently qualified person (IQP) registered with the council for this system. They issue a Form 12A each year, which the owner attaches to the building warrant of fitness.
Sources
- Compliance Schedule Handbook, Amendment 3 — MBIE, 14 February 2014 (first published 25 May 2007)
- Lifts and Building Act requirements — MBIE, 2006-08-01 (confirmed current Feb 2016)
- Specified Systems Guidance for Customers, WBCA 003 v1.0.1 — Westland District Council BCA, 16 September 2025
General information only, not legal or engineering advice. Last reviewed 30 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
certify.nz includes a starting checklist for SS 8. Edit it to match the building's compliance schedule, inspect offline and issue a signed report.
Start free for 30 days