What Happens During Lift Testing in Singapore
- Belift Pte Ltd
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Why Lift Testing Exists in the First Place
Have you ever jumped while standing in a lift? Most people have, often without thinking much of it. The lift does not drop or lurch, and nothing appears to happen at all.
That lack of reaction is not accidental. Lifts are designed and tested to withstand sudden changes in load, movement, and stress without compromising safety. Before a lift is approved for use, it must pass controlled tests that verify how it behaves not just during normal operation, but when conditions are pushed beyond the everyday.
This is why lift testing exists. It functions as a regulatory and safety gate, ensuring that critical systems such as brakes, safety gears, and emergency controls respond correctly before a lift is allowed to carry people. When testing is incomplete or poorly carried out, the consequences are real and immediate, affecting the people inside the lift when something goes wrong.
This article explains how lift testing works in practice and why it matters. It begins by defining what lift testing involves, before walking through how testing is carried out on site, who is involved in the process, and how long testing typically takes. It concludes by explaining what happens after a lift passes testing and what building owners should expect before a lift is returned to everyday operation.
What Is Lift Testing?
Lift testing is a structured inspection and performance assessment carried out to confirm that a lift operates safely before it is approved for use or returned to service. It verifies how the lift behaves when systems are stressed or fail beyond regular operational conditions.
In Singapore, lift testing is a controlled process that evaluates mechanical, electrical, and safety systems under defined conditions. This includes testing brakes, safety gears, door interlocks, levelling accuracy, emergency communication, and rescue functions. At BELIFT, lift testing is treated as an operational procedure with each test planned, controlled, and carried out in a defined sequence to minimise risk and ensure accuracy.
In practice, lift testing is the final safety gate between a lift and the people who use it every day. It ensures that safety systems respond correctly when conditions are not ideal, and that the lift can be relied on in both normal and abnormal situations.
How Is a Lift Test Performed?
Pre-test preparation and site control
Before testing begins, the site is prepared to ensure that work can be carried out safely within an active building. Access to the lift is restricted, warning signage is put in place, and responsibilities are clearly assigned across the testing team. A pre-work briefing is conducted to review the scope of testing and site-specific risks, ensuring that all personnel are aligned before the lift is taken out of service.
Electrical isolation and safety setup
Testing requires controlled isolation of power to the lift system. This is carried out by a licensed electrical worker, who ensures that the lift is safely isolated before inspection and testing proceed.
Isolation is verified prior to any work on mechanical or electrical components, reducing the risk of unintended movement or unexpected power restoration during testing.
Mechanical and electrical inspection
With the lift safely isolated, technicians inspect critical components including ropes, brakes, safety gears, buffers, door systems, and electrical interlocks.
These checks confirm that components are in suitable condition before performance testing begins, and align with the expected maintenance outcomes for safe lift operation in Singapore.
No-load functional testing
The lift is first tested without load to confirm baseline performance. This includes checking door operation, interlocks, stopping accuracy, and system responses in inspection mode. Any irregular behaviour identified at this stage is addressed before progressing further.
Load testing and safety system verification
Load testing is then carried out using calibrated weights to simulate real operating conditions. Braking performance, overspeed protection, and safety gear activation are verified under supervision to confirm that the lift can safely stop and hold when required.
As this involves physically loading the lift, it is a step that building owners and representatives can observe during testing, providing assurance that performance has been properly validated.
Emergency and rescue system testing
Emergency systems are tested by simulating fault conditions rather than relying on indicator checks alone. This includes testing automatic rescue devices under simulated power failure, verifying emergency communication systems, and confirming that the lift responds predictably during abnormal situations.
Final checks and return to service
Once all tests are completed, loads are removed and the lift is returned to normal operation. Test results are reviewed and documented, and the lift is only cleared for use once all safety and performance criteria have been met. Records are retained to support compliance, audits, and future inspections.
How Long Does a Lift Test Take?
In most cases, a lift test in Singapore takes between 2 hours and a full working day, depending on the type of lift and the scope of testing required. As a general guide:
Residential and home lifts:
Around 2 to 4 hours.
These lifts typically operate at lower speeds with simpler configurations, allowing testing to be completed within a shorter window.
Private apartments and small developments:
Around 3 to 5 hours per lift.
Testing includes full functional checks, calibrated load testing, and emergency systems, often carried out while coordinating access within an occupied building.
Commercial and mixed-use buildings:
Around 4 to 6 hours per lift.
Higher speeds, heavier rated loads, and live building conditions usually require longer testing windows.
Hospital, industrial, or specialised lifts:
5 to 8 hours or more, depending on capacity and usage.
These lifts often require heavier load testing and more detailed verification of safety and emergency systems.
Testing time may increase if defects are identified, access windows are restricted, or multiple lifts are tested in sequence. Adequate time should always be set aside to ensure that testing is carried out properly rather than rushed.
Who Is Involved in Lift Testing?
Lift testing is not carried out by a single technician. It involves a coordinated team with clearly defined responsibilities to ensure that testing is safe and properly supervised.
Authorised Examiner or Professional Engineer
An Authorised Examiner or Professional Engineer is responsible for overseeing critical aspects of lift testing, particularly where load testing, brake performance, and safety gear activation are involved. Their role is to ensure that test results meet regulatory and safety requirements before a lift is approved for use. This oversight is critical for validating that safety systems perform correctly under test conditions.
Testing Supervisor
The Testing Supervisor coordinates the overall testing process on site. At BELIFT, the Testing Supervisor leads pre-work briefings and ensures that all personnel involved understand their roles, the scope of work, and site-specific risks before testing begins.
Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW)
A Licensed Electrical Worker is responsible for isolating and reinstating power to the lift system during testing. Our procedures require isolation to be verified before any mechanical or electrical work proceeds, ensuring that testing can be carried out safely in an active building environment.
Lift Technicians and Testers
Trained lift technicians and testers carry out the physical inspection and testing work. Their role is to execute each test step under supervision, document findings, and flag any irregularities that require rectification before the lift can be cleared for service. These checks align with the maintenance outcomes defined by BCA for safe lift operation.
Building Owner or Site Representative
A building owner or designated site representative is typically involved to coordinate access, confirm readiness for testing, and observe critical test stages such as load testing. Their presence ensures alignment between the testing team and building operations, particularly in occupied environments. While they do not carry out testing, their involvement supports transparency and accountability throughout the process.
What Happens After a Lift Passes Testing?
Once a lift has successfully completed testing, the results are reviewed and documented before the lift is cleared for use. Test records are retained to support compliance, future inspections, and audits, ensuring there is a clear trail of what was tested, when it was tested, and under what conditions. Where issues are identified during testing, rectification is required before the lift can be re-tested and approved.
For building owners and occupants, this step marks a point at which a lift is confirmed to be safe for everyday use, including situations where systems are under stress or operating outside ideal conditions.
If you have questions about lift testing, upcoming inspections, or want to better understand how your lift is assessed before approval, speak with our team. Seeing the testing process first-hand and understanding what is being verified can make a meaningful difference to long-term safety and reliability.
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