A lift autodialler is a safety device fitted in a lift that automatically calls a 24/7 rescue service when the emergency alarm button is pressed, opening a two-way voice link so trapped passengers can speak directly to responders. UK regulations have required this two-way emergency communication in all new lifts since 1998.
Installed in the lift car, the autodialler provides a direct, stable line to a monitoring centre — vital in lift shafts where mobile signal is weak or absent. It significantly enhances passenger safety by ensuring help can always be reached without delay.
Find out how to upgrade to a 4G lift autodialler here.
Legal Obligations for Lift Owners
UK lift owners have a clear legal duty to ensure passenger safety, and that includes a reliable emergency communication system. Since 1998, all new lift installations have had to include two-way emergency communication — and older lifts in public or workplace settings are expected to meet the same standard to remain compliant.
Current requirements are set out in BS EN 81-28:2022 (the standard governing lift remote alarms) alongside EN 81-80, which covers upgrading existing lifts. These aren’t box-ticking exercises: a working autodialler means that if someone is trapped, they can reach a rescue service quickly, reducing distress and speeding up rescue. Keeping systems up to date reflects a genuine commitment to safety and accessibility — and protects owners from liability.
Lift Autodialler System Requirements
A compliant modern lift autodialler system must provide:
- Two-way voice communication between the lift car and a 24/7 rescue service, so trapped passengers can speak directly to responders.
- Internal intercom communication between the lift car and machine room, important for maintenance personnel.
- Emergency alerting from the car top or pit, so engineers working in these areas can call for help.
- Backup power supply to keep the system working during power cuts.
- Automatic alerts that transmit the lift’s location and key information to responders when a call is activated.
- Regular automatic test calls — under BS EN 81-28 the system must place an automatic test call at regular intervals (typically every 72 hours) to confirm the emergency line and lift alarm monitoring are working.
Relevant Safety Standards
- BS EN 81-28:2022: the current standard for remote alarm systems in passenger and goods lifts.
- EN 81-80: guidance on upgrading existing lifts to meet modern safety standards.
- BS EN 81-20 / 81-50: current standards for the construction and installation of lifts (superseding the older EN 81-1 and 81-2).
Why Compliance Matters
Meeting these standards is essential for both legal compliance and passenger safety. An effective autodialler ensures help can be reached quickly even in difficult conditions, and regular testing and maintenance keep the system performing when it matters most. A lift alarm that cannot connect to its monitoring centre is non-compliant with EN 81-28 — which is exactly why the 2027 phone-line change (below) matters so much.
System Features of a Lift Autodialler
A fully compliant lift autodialler system combines several components:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Indicators, alarm buttons & intercom buttons | Mounted in accessible positions for communication with the rescue service. |
| Alarm speaker | Sounds when the alarm button is pressed, alerting others nearby. |
| Autodialler unit | Automatically calls the rescue service and enables two-way communication. |
| Car station | Mounted in the lift car with pictograms and buttons for easy access. |
| Voice stations | At the car top and in the pit, with keypad, back-lit LCD display and microphone. |
| Integral battery | Sustains the system during power failures for uninterrupted communication. |
| Programming tools | Provided by the service provider for configuration and maintenance. |
Connectivity Options for Lift Autodialler Systems
The connectivity method determines how reliably a lift autodialler can reach help. The three main options are:
Traditional phone lines (analogue/PSTN): reliable and long-established, but being withdrawn across the UK (see the switch-off section below). No longer a future-proof choice.
GSM units: use a mobile network SIM instead of a fixed line, providing a stable connection without dependence on landline infrastructure. A multi-network (roaming) SIM is strongly preferred, as it connects to whichever UK network has the best signal — removing a single point of failure in a safety-critical system.
VoIP systems: transmit calls over the internet or digital cable, and require an analogue converter plus a resilient, battery-backed internet connection to remain reliable during power cuts.
The 2027 PSTN Switch-Off (Digital Switchover) — What It Means for Lift Autodiallers
The UK’s analogue phone network — the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) — is being switched off on 31 January 2027, replaced by digital, IP-based infrastructure. A stop-sell on new analogue lines has been in force since September 2023, and the switch-off is already happening in phases, so some areas are losing PSTN service ahead of the national deadline.
Many lift autodiallers still rely on a PSTN line to make emergency calls. When the line is withdrawn, these systems can stop being able to call for help — often with no obvious warning. This “silent failure” of a safety-critical system is the central risk of the digital switchover for lift owners. Because BS EN 81-28 requires the emergency line to work at all times (and to pass its regular test call), a PSTN-dependent lift becomes non-compliant the moment its line is switched off — and there is no grace period after the deadline. Responsibility for maintaining a compliant lift communications system sits with the building owner.
How to Make Your Lift Autodialler Switch-Off Ready
Lifts with a modern autodialler and SIM slot: fit a compliant multi-network SIM and decommission the analogue line. Straightforward where the PSTN line was already only a backup.
Older lifts with an analogue-only autodialler: install a GSM gateway, which plugs into the autodialler’s existing cabling and provides cellular connectivity to the digital network. A compliant gateway includes integrated battery backup meeting BS EN 81-28, so emergency calls still work in a power cut. In most cases you do not need to replace the lift or the whole autodialler.
Plan for network longevity: 3G networks have largely been retired and 2G is now being switched off across UK providers. Choose 4G/5G-capable equipment with a roaming SIM to avoid a second forced upgrade in a few years.
Steps for Lift Owners to Adapt
- Audit your lifts — identify any lift using an analogue line, even as a backup. Prioritise by criticality: lifts serving vulnerable users, sole-access lifts, and high-traffic lifts first.
- Get expert advice early — have a lift service provider confirm whether each autodialler is digital-ready or needs upgrading.
- Upgrade to a compliant digital solution — a multi-network SIM or GSM gateway with EN 81-28 battery backup.
- Act now, not in late 2026 — engineering demand and hardware lead times are rising sharply as the deadline nears, and your lines could migrate before January 2027.
Deltron Lifts can audit your lift emergency communications, identify PSTN-dependent lifts, and upgrade them to a compliant, future-proof digital solution ahead of the switch-off. Contact us today to find out how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a lift autodialler do?
A lift autodialler is a safety device fitted in a lift that automatically calls a 24/7 rescue service when the emergency alarm is pressed, opening a two-way voice link so trapped passengers can speak to responders. It provides a reliable line of communication even where mobile signal is weak inside the lift car.
When is the PSTN switch-off?
The UK PSTN network is being switched off on 31 January 2027. The rollout is phased and some areas have already been switched, so PSTN-dependent lift autodiallers can be affected before that date.
Will my lift stop working after the digital switchover?
The lift will still move, but if its autodialler depends on an analogue line, the emergency call function will fail. Under BS EN 81-28, a lift that cannot make emergency calls can be declared non-compliant and taken out of service.
Do I need to replace my whole lift?
No. In most cases the fix is either a compliant multi-network SIM (for newer autodiallers) or a GSM gateway with battery backup (for older analogue units). The lift and existing controls usually stay in place.
Who is responsible for making a lift autodialler compliant?
The building owner is responsible for ensuring the lift has a working, compliant emergency communication system. There is no grace period after the switch-off date.
What are the legal standards for lift autodiallers?
Lift emergency communication is governed by BS EN 81-28:2022, supported by EN 81-80 for upgrades. The system must provide a two-way voice link to a 24/7 rescue service, battery backup, and automatic test calls (typically every 72 hours).
