P1-9 Response Accepted Self-assessed

Require monthly lift control mechanism tests

Recommendation

The owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to carry out regular tests of the mechanism which allows firefighters to take control of the lifts and to inform their local fire and rescue service at monthly intervals that they have done so.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Gov.uk progress update (26 Feb 2025), monthly testing of lift control mechanisms in high-rise residential buildings became a legal requirement on 23 January 2023, with results reported electronically to fire and rescue services. This requirement was established through the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
33.13b
Response
Accepted
Accepted UK Government
21 Jan 2020

The government accepted in principle all Phase 1 recommendations directed at central government. The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick presented the formal response to Parliament on 21 January 2020, committing to new duties on building owners and managers through the Fire Safety Bill and Building Safety Bill, including requirements for premises information boxes, floor plans, lift inspections, fire door checks, evacuation signage, and fire safety instructions to residents.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
26 Feb 2025

Completed via the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (in force 23 January 2023). Monthly testing of lift control mechanisms is now a legal requirement with results reported electronically to fire and rescue services.

Source
Report Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 1 Report 30 Oct 2019
Responsible Bodies
UK Government Primary
Recommendation age 6.4 yrs
Last formal update 391 days ago