In the face of many serious accidents related to elevators in apartment buildings, the Ministry of Construction has issued Circular 03/2021/TT-BXD stipulating national standards on apartment buildings. There are additional requirements for elevators in apartment buildings.

Minimum number of elevators in the apartment

Apartment buildings, mixed-use apartment buildings of 5 floors or more must have at least 1 elevator; Building from 10 floors or more, there must be at least 2 elevators.

In an apartment building or a mixed-use apartment building with an elevator, there must be at least 1 dedicated elevator with internal dimensions of the cabin enough for emergency bed.

It is necessary to arrange at least 1 elevator for 200 people residing in the building or at least 1 elevator for 70 apartments. Lift capacity must be not less than 450 kg (previously 400 kg). In case the house has an elevator, the minimum capacity of the elevator is not less than 630 kg.

Requirements on fire protection

For apartment buildings, mixed-use apartment buildings with a height of more than 50 m or with a depth of the basement floor (considering the height of the exit to the outside) greater than 9 m, each fire compartment of the building must have at least one elevator meeting the requirements of transporting forces, means of firefighting and rescue according to TCVN 6396-72:2010 and TCVN 6396-73:2010.

Safety requirements

The width of the passenger elevator lobby must be arranged in accordance with the applicable standards.

Lifts must have anti-jamming protection devices, automatic rescue system and internal telephone systems from the cabin to the outside. Elevators can only run when all doors are closed.

Inspection requirements

Elevators must ensure safety according to QCVN 02:2019/BLDTBXH and be tested for safety before being put into use in the following cases:

– After installation

– After carrying out major repairs

– After a serious accident and it was fixed

– Expiry of inspection or at the request of the state management agency in charge of occupational safety.

Requirement for machine room

The machine room of the apartment elevator must meet the following requirements:

– There is a safe way to and from the machine room, convenient for maintenance, repair and rescue work

– Machine room is not located directly on the apartment

– The elevator shaft must meet the requirements of sound insulation according to QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD and noise protection according to QCVN 26:2010/BTNMT.

– Do not arrange a water tank directly on the elevator shaft and do not allow the water supply, heating and gas supply pipes to go through the elevator shaft.

Elevator requirements must be ensured for the elderly and disabled

Access to use according to QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

– Minimum door width 900mm

– Minimum cabin size 1100mm x 1400mm

– The size of the waiting space in front of the elevator door is not less than 1400mm x 1400mm

– The control panel is not placed higher than 1200mm and not lower than 900mm from the cabin floor to the highest button.

– On the control buttons must have characters with contrasting colors or Braille system.