If people in your community of owners are talking about the new lift ITC, it’s not a passing trend: it’s the regulation governing the safety, maintenance and inspection of every lift, and its current version changed the rules of the game. We explain what it is, what it requires of you and how to tell whether your lift is up to date.
What is ITC AEM 1 and why does it affect you?
ITC AEM 1 ‘Lifts’ is the technical instruction that sets the requirements for lifts in Spain. Its current version was approved by Royal Decree 355/2024 of 2 April, and has been in force since 1 July 2024. The important change is that it no longer regulates only new lifts: it requires existing lifts to be brought up to date. If your lift is a few years old, it’s very likely to be missing some of the safety measures now required.
What changes for your lift
These are the safety improvements the regulation requires to be added to existing lifts:
- Accurate levelling with each floor. The lift car stops flush with the landing so there’s no step to trip over.
- Protection on the lift car doors. A photoelectric light curtain that protects passengers as the doors close, especially children and older people.
- Two-way communication. A system so that anyone trapped can call a rescue centre for help at any time.
- Protection against unintended movement of the lift car with the doors open.
Many of these measures can be dealt with through an ITC compliance upgrade or a modernisation in stages, without replacing the whole lift.
How often lifts are now inspected
The periodic inspection is carried out by an accredited inspection body, at the following intervals:
- Every 2 years: lifts for industrial use or in premises open to the public.
- Every 4 years: buildings with more than 20 homes or more than 4 floors served.
- Every 6 years: all others (most small communities of owners and single-family homes).
The periodic inspection is no substitute for maintenance: the lift maintenance company’s service visits are far more frequent. You can see what each level covers in our maintenance contract.
What if my lift doesn’t comply?
Defects found at the inspection must be put right within the period set according to how serious they are. If the inspection lapses without being carried out, the lift maintenance company must take the lift out of service, and a serious defect may lead to it being shut down. The owner of the installation —in other words, the community of owners— is responsible, so it pays to stay ahead.
The good news: bringing your lift into line with the ITC may be eligible for public grants, and if your building doesn’t yet have a lift, here we explain how to install one.
How to tell whether it affects you
The quickest way is to have the condition of your lift checked. You can start yourself with our ITC self-check: in a minute it gives you an idea of whether your lift should be looked at. And if you want the detail, you’ll find the new ITC explained step by step.
Shall we talk about your lift?
We’ll look at your case, tell you clearly what’s best for you and prepare a tailored proposal, with no obligation.