Lifts, escalators and moving walks - Part 1: General requirements

AS 1735.1:2016: Lifts, escalators and moving walks - Part 1: General requirements

For engineers and designers involved in vertical transportation systems, understanding the foundational principles of safety and performance is paramount. AS 1735.1:2016, "Lifts, escalators and moving walks - Part 1: General requirements," stands as an essential standard, providing the bedrock for the entire AS 1735 series. This comprehensive document ensures that the design, installation, and operation of these critical building components adhere to stringent Australian safety benchmarks, safeguarding both personnel and public.

What is AS 1735.1:2016?

Developed by Standards Australia through Committee ME-004, this authoritative standard establishes the general requirements applicable to lifts, escalators, and moving walks. Its primary purpose is to define common terminology and lay down overarching principles that underpin the safety and functionality of all vertical transportation systems covered by the AS 1735 series, ensuring consistency and proven safety across diverse applications.

Scope & Purpose

AS 1735.1:2016 governs the fundamental aspects of lifts, escalators, and moving walks, including definitions and general safety principles. It sets the stage for subsequent parts of the AS 1735 series, which delve into specific types of equipment. Crucially, this standard explicitly excludes certain equipment, such as temporary construction hoists, conveyors for materials, amusement devices, and manually powered lifts, to maintain focus on its core subject matter.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Lift engineers, elevator technicians, mechanical engineers, building inspectors, safety officers, and design consultants.
• • Industries affected: Building Services, Vertical Transportation, Construction, Manufacturing, Property Management, and Facilities Management.
• • Compliance nature: While not legally mandatory in its own right, compliance is often adopted by statutory authorities, specified as a contractual requirement, or recommended for best practice.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically overseen by state and territory regulatory bodies, building certifiers, and through contractual obligations.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard mandates a rigorous approach to ensuring the safety and reliability of vertical transport systems. Key provisions include:

• • The establishment of clear and consistent definitions for all terms used within the AS 1735 series, promoting unambiguous communication.
• • The requirement for a defined process to ascertain that a lift is safe for operation, encompassing inspection and verification stages.
• • The adoption of alternative designs, materials, and methods, provided they meet or exceed the performance and safety criteria outlined in the standard.
• • A framework for understanding the application of the standard, emphasizing that it is intended for use by competent and responsible professionals.
• • The integration of performance-based design principles, aligning with modern international standards.

Related Standards & References

AS 1735.1:2016 serves as the foundational document for the entire AS 1735 series, which includes specific standards for various types of lifts and moving walks (e.g., AS 1735.5 for escalators and moving walks, AS 1735.12 for facilities for persons with disabilities). It also references