At futurseguros we work with property administrators and residents throughout the Balearic Islands offering the best possible community insurance at the best price, that’s why we make sure we are up to date on everything related to residents’ associations.
I leave you a brief summary of the changes that will bring the new royal decree 355/2024 of April 2 on lifts, we have tried to make a calculation on the approximate cost that will suppose in a community so that our clients can get an idea but they oscillate too much and it is very complicated to obtain a scale of suitable prices, although we have come to the conclusion that in small communities, and in Mallorca there are many, this new charge can be a problem, in case it serves you, I leave you some advice fruit of the experience that can improve the accounts of your community.
How to save money in your community of owners?
-Ask for a quote for your community insurance, especially if you have not reviewed it for a long time, you can request it without obligation at info@futurseguros.com.
-Check the community electricity and water contract, prices per kilowatt have come down a lot and there is a lot of competition in the electricity sector.
-Ask for a quote from other estate administrators if you think you are overpaying, if you need us to put you in contact with one write to us and we will give you references of several that we trust.
-Review the accounts, if you have not reviewed expenses for many years.
Well, let’s get down to business…
If you live in a community of neighbours in Mallorca or the Balearic Islands, you should know that since last April there are new national regulations governing lifts, and that in your case this may involve a community charge, let’s look at the changes. If you want to see the original royal decree you can download it from the Boe here.
Why this new royal decree to regulate communal lifts?
The Royal Decree has been created to improve safety by ensuring that all lifts comply with the new safety conditions required from the moment they are installed and throughout the time they are in service.
Technological updating is pursued, adapting the regulations to the new technologies available in the lift sector.
To ensure proper maintenance, it establishes the obligation to contract a maintenance service to ensure the proper functioning of the lifts and to guarantee that the maintenance companies comply with the established requirements and carry out the regulatory inspections.
Finally, it clarifies the responsibility of the operators, specifying their responsibilities regarding the contracting of maintenance services and the transfer of records between maintenance companies (if you change the maintenance company).
Who will be affected by Royal Decree 355/2024?
According to the Spanish Elevator Federation (FEEDA) (https://feeda.es/) in Spain, it will affect 35-40% of the 1,180,000 lifts in the country.
In the Balearic Islands, the figures provided by the Government are more worrying, it is estimated that of the 27,500 lifts we have on the islands, some 22,500 lifts will be affected by the new regulations, approximately 82% of the lifts in the Balearic Islands will have to be updated to comply with the new regulations.
Don’t worry, the company that carries out the inspection of your lift will inform you if you are affected by this new decree (it is compulsory to contract a lift maintenance service).
What modifications do I have to make to my old lift to comply with the new lift law? Annex VII
Modifications to lift levelling:
Within six months, in the event of an accident due to lack of levelling or after changing the power unit, modifications must be made to comply with UNE EN 81-20, 5.12.1.1.4. This implies achieving a stopping accuracy of at least ± 10 mm and a levelling accuracy of ± 20 mm. The use of a frequency converter is recommended to improve accuracy.
In addition, any single-speed electrically driven lift that does not meet these standards during its mandatory periodic inspection must be upgraded within one year. The modifications must ensure that the stopping and levelling accuracy values remain within the established limits. These accuracies must be achieved with decelerations during braking not exceeding gravity, according to UNE EN 81-20, 5.9.2.2.2.2.
Modifications to the closing of doors
In order to protect users against the closing of doors during car entry or exit, all lifts equipped with automatically operated doors must be fitted with a protective device. This device must cover the opening from at least 25 mm up to 1 600 mm above the car treadplate, basically the door closing sensor must cover the entire door.
The implementation of this device is mandatory provided that it is technically feasible, does not require the replacement of existing doors and is economically favourable compared to the replacement of existing doors.
In the event of an accident, the device must be installed within six months. If there is no such protection, it must be installed within one year of the first periodic inspection where its absence is detected.
To protect users from uncontrolled upward movements of the car and at rest with doors open, lifts must incorporate these safety devices when the traction unit (electric or hydraulic) and the manoeuvre are changed simultaneously.
Install a two-way communication system.
If the lift does not have this, it must incorporate it to ensure that users can call for help, it must be accessible to people with physical disabilities in accordance with the disability categories considered in the corresponding annex of the UNE EN 81-70+A1 standard, and it must be installed within one year of the first periodic inspection in which its absence is detected.
Replace existing guides
Existing lifts, except those catalogued as historical artistic heritage, must not have car or counterweight guides incorporating parachute devices of cylindrical, rail or wooden types, here a distinction is made between lifts installed before 6 September 1952, between that date and 1 April 1967 and those installed after that date, each group will have certain deadlines to solve it, do not ask me why, I do not know, I am in the insurance business.