The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has recently released key updates that represent an important step forward in shaping industry best practice. Among these are the latest edition of Guide D: Transportation Systems in Buildings and the launch of the new Society of Vertical Transportation (SoVT). We heard firsthand about these developments at the 16th Lift & Escalator Symposium.
Here is an overview of what we learned and what it means for the lift industry.
Guide D changes
The 2025 edition of CIBSE’s Guide D – Transportation Systems in Buildings remains one of the go-to resources for anyone involved in the lift and vertical transportation industry. It offers comprehensive guidance on all aspects of lift design, operation, and management in line with the latest legislation and international best practice. The new release has been restructured into 16 clearly defined parts, each focusing on a specific topic such as evacuation lifts, electrical systems, data integration, and energy performance, providing key information to support professionals across the sector.
The new sections place a strong focus on the following areas:
- Interior circulation, human factors, and inclusive design
- Lift traffic planning and system performance optimisation
- Types of transportation systems and their applications
- System components, controls, and drive technologies
- Accessibility and inclusivity
- Energy efficiency, environmental performance, and optimisation opportunities
- Data, monitoring, and integration with building management systems
- Maintenance, modernisation, and lifecycle planning
By consolidating best practice, regulatory requirements, and technical methodologies Guide D provides valuable information to ensure that lift systems are designed and managed to meet the evolving demands of buildings. The lift industry can draw on the guide, not only as a technical reference but also as a framework for maintaining compliance, enhancing safety and driving continuous improvement.
The new Society of Vertical Transportation (SoVT)
To coincide with the release of Guide D, CIBSE also announced the launch of the new Society of Vertical Transportation (SoVT), a community group for those involved in, or with an interest in, vertical transportation. SoVT is a members-only initiative designed to bring together and support professionals at all stages of their careers. By joining, members gain access to the latest industry knowledge, SoVT-run events, career development support, and opportunities to connect with a diverse community of vertical transportation professionals.
As the lift industry evolves in response to new standards, technologies, and expectations, resources like CIBSE’s Guide D and the Society of Vertical Transportation (SoVT) play an essential role in helping professionals stay informed and compliant.
At Elevating Safety Solutions, we’re here to help you navigate these changes through compliance support and guidance, tailored policies, and essential training, empowering your company and engineers to deliver safely and confidently in a changing industry.
Don’t forget to stay up to date with all our news and industry views on LinkedIn.
© Elevating Safety Solutions Ltd.