A lack of reliable data and inconsistent record keeping across lift and escalator assets could be hindering sustainability progress and safety compliance, new research suggests. The findings come as facilities managers face growing demands to evidence carbon reduction, building performance and regulatory compliance through accurate data and documentation.
The research, commissioned by PEW Electrical, found that nearly two thirds (63%) of facilities managers believe carbon data relating to lifts and escalators to be limited or unreliable. While 72% say the sustainability credentials of lifts and escalators are integral to their building management strategy, more than a quarter (26%) identified a lack of clear data on long-term savings as a key barrier to improving sustainability performance.
The findings are particularly significant given the growing focus on reduction of operational carbon across the built environment, and the reliance on robust performance data for sustainability certification and frameworks such as BREEAM and LEED.
Alongside a lack of sufficient and reliable data, the research also highlights a need for better energy monitoring and data analytics tools among FMs, with half (50%) agreeing this would help their organisation improve the sustainability of its lift and escalator assets.
Despite evident data challenges when it comes to sustainability, there are positive progress indicators, as almost two thirds (65%) believe their organisation already accurately measures and monitors lift sustainability performance. Meanwhile, a third (33%) of respondents said they have implemented predictive maintenance through IoT technologies, demonstrating more data-driven approaches to asset management.
Yet, data quality and visibility are also posing challengesaround compliance data and documentation. Almost half (47%) of FMs said the industry suffers from fragmented and inconsistent record keeping that affects lift compliance, while 15% identified managing accurate and sufficient documentation as a key obstacle to compliance with the Building Safety Act.
The research also points to uncertainty around compliance requirements, with 56% in agreement that many professionals across the sector remain unclear about their responsibilities regarding lift documentation and accountability.
Skills and competency gaps are also contributing to the data challenge. Compliance documentation and audit readiness was identified as the area of lift and escalator safety most vulnerable to skills shortages, according to 53%. The same proportion (53%) said this was the area their own property management teams required the greatest support.
Encouragingly, however, respondents also highlighted positive progress across the industry, with more than three-quarters (78%) in agreement that their current digital or manual systems are effective at maintaining the ‘golden thread’ of building information.
Commenting on the findings, Jason Clark, registered engineer and Chairman at PEW Electrical, said: “Changes to building regulations and growing expectations around carbon reduction are helping to drive positive change across the sector, but they also place greater emphasis on accurate data, accountability and evidence of performance.
“To navigate the changes, FMs require a more performance-led approach where systems are actively monitored, managed and optimised over time. But without reliable data, clear documentation and the right tools, it’s difficult to turn information into action.
“What’s needed now is continued investment in skills, better access to performance information and closer collaboration across the supply chain, so FMs have the confidence and evidence they need to make improvements. Suppliers have an important role to play by providing clear performance data, test evidence and golden thread information that helps building owners and facilities managers demonstrate compliance, improve efficiency and make informed decisions about their assets.”
PEW Electrical is supporting facilities managers and dutyholders to take a proactive approach to lift and escalator performance with better data and closer collaboration with specialist suppliers.
