Abstract

The paper will give the reader the opportunity to learn about the evolution of the design and provisioning of devices used by lift passengers to signal for help, ‘alarm systems’, in the UK from four perspectives:

1. Requirements in British Standards

2. Design approaches from both lift and component manufacturers

3. Experiences of industry personnel installing and maintaining alarm systems

4. Impact of the development of telecommunications systems in the UK

The result is not only a summary of the development of requirements in British Standards and the design of alarm systems but also demonstrates how the various changes over the years continue to inform certain industry behaviours and approaches today.

The inclusion of research into the telecommunications industry shows that whilst many of us may, at times, see our industry as “an island”, decisions made in other adjacent industries have impacted and will continue to impact the UK lift industry.