FprEN 81-28

• Abstract:

  This document specifies the technical requirements for the two-way communication system of passenger and goods passenger lifts, to communicate with a receiving equipment.; This document is not applicable to lifts installed before the date of its publication.

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2027
• ICS: 13.320 - Alarm and warning systems
• ICS: 91.140.90 - Lifts. Escalators
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 10 - Passenger, goods and service lifts
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 10/WG 1 - Lifts and service lifts
• Current Stage: 5020 - Submission to Vote - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 08-Oct-2026
• Completion Date: 08-Oct-2026
• Directive: 2014/33/EU - Directive 2014/33/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to lifts and safety components for lifts (recast)
• Mandate: M/599 - Standardisation Request in support of Directive 2014/33/EU
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 81-28:2025 - Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 28: Twoway communication system to contact a rescue service

• Revises: EN 81-28:2022 - Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 28: Remote alarm on passenger and goods passenger lifts
• Effective Date: 22-Nov-2023

FprEN 81-28 is a CEN draft European Standard for the two-way communication system used in passenger and goods passenger lifts. It specifies the technical requirements for communication with reception equipment, so designers, manufacturers, installers and service providers know how the lift’s emergency link, signalling and backup functions are expected to work.

What does FprEN 81-28 specify?

FprEN 81-28 covers the two-way communication system in passenger and goods passenger lifts and focuses on communication with equipment outside the lift. It applies to lifts within its scope and excludes lifts installed before the date of publication.

The document is organized into clauses for scope, normative references, terms and definitions, safety requirements, information for use, and verification. It also includes Annex ZA, which links the standard to EU legal requirements, and a bibliography with companion documents.

Annex	What it covers
Annex ZA	Relationship between this European Standard and the essential requirements of Directive 2014/33/EU

What are the key requirements of FprEN 81-28?

FprEN 81-28 sets out how the lift must initiate, maintain, signal and verify a two-way communication link. In practice, these requirements define what the passenger sees and hears in the car, what happens if power is lost, and how the system confirms that contact with a rescue service is available.

Initiation device and alert

Clause 4.2.1 requires at least one initiation device in the car, positioned between 850 mm and 1 200 mm above the car floor. The device must be yellow and identified by the specified symbol, so users can find and recognize the call point quickly.

Clause 4.2.2 says the alert is activated after the initiation device is operated and filtered, with no alert required if the device is operated for less than 3 s. This helps reduce accidental activations.

Filtering and communication start

Clause 4.2.3 limits filtering to initiation devices in the car and only under defined lift conditions, and it allows filtering to be disabled. It also prevents filtering during an active alert, so the call cannot be blocked once the emergency sequence is underway.

Clause 4.2.4 requires the system to send the lift identification to the reception equipment and to treat communication as successful only after acknowledgement. If the link is not established within five minutes, the system must try alternative reception equipment.

Voice link, reset and power backup

Clause 4.2.5 requires two-way voice communication after successful initiation. If the voice link stops before the alert ends, the call device or the reception equipment must be able to restart it.

Clause 4.2.6 allows the alert to end only by intentional local reset or by request from the reception equipment. Clause 4.2.7 requires operation to continue through power failure, power restoration and power cycling, and it sets a one-hour emergency supply target including 15 min of voice communication.

Self-check and cabin signals

Clause 4.2.8 requires an automatic test of the connection to reception equipment or alternative reception equipment at least every 3 days, using the same communication means as a normal call. A failed test must be shown by flashing the optical signals until a successful communication initiation occurs.

Clause 4.2.9 requires an acoustic signal in the car, an illuminated yellow symbol during alert, and an illuminated green symbol during two-way voice communication. These signals tell passengers whether the call is active and whether voice contact has been established.

What terms does FprEN 81-28 define?

Alert is the two-way communication state used while the system is contacting or connected to reception equipment.

Reception equipment is equipment outside the lift that can handle the two-way communication.

Initiation device is the car-mounted control used to start the communication sequence.

Two-way voice communication is the spoken exchange between the lift car and the reception equipment after the connection is established.

Emergency supply is the backup power arrangement that keeps the communication system operating during loss of normal power.

Automatic test is the periodic self-check that confirms the communication link with the reception equipment still works.

Who uses FprEN 81-28?

FprEN 81-28 is relevant to lift manufacturers, designers and installers who build the two-way communication system into passenger and goods passenger lifts. It is also used by maintenance providers, because the document describes tests, signals and reset behaviour that affect servicing.

Health and safety bodies, regulators and market surveillance organizations use it when checking whether a lift communication system meets the expected safety approach. Lift users, employers and rescue-service operators are also affected by the system’s alarm, voice and backup functions.

What changed in FprEN 81-28 from the previous edition?

FprEN 81-28 will supersede EN 81-28:2022. The foreword states these significant changes: editorial corrections, replacement of “alarm” status with “alert” status, replacement of “alarm system” and “alarm equipment” with “two-way communication system,” clarification and streamlining of requirements, changes in verification, and an updated Annex ZA.

Which standards are used with FprEN 81-28?

FprEN 81-28 is intended to be used with EN ISO 8100-1:-, which gives the basic requirements for passenger and goods passenger lifts. It also relies on EN ISO 12100:2010 for general principles of risk assessment and risk reduction.

The normative references include ISO 4190-5:2006 for lift control devices, signals and additional fittings, ISO 7000:2019 for registered graphical symbols, and IEC 60417:2025 for graphical symbols used on equipment. CEN/TR 81-10:2008 is named in the foreword as the document that describes the structure of the EN 81 series.

What does the FprEN 81-28 document contain?

FprEN 81-28 contains a clause-by-clause safety specification for the communication system, plus a verification table in Clause 6 that links each requirement to visual inspection, performance checks, measurements, drawings/calculations or user information. That makes it useful for design review, conformity assessment and testing.

Annex ZA maps the standard to essential requirements in Directive 2014/33/EU and also gives correspondence tables for Directive 2006/42/EC and Regulation (EU) 2023/1230. The document also lists the symbols used for initiation and status indication, and it includes instructions that manufacturers must provide for testing, parameter changes, fault recognition and reset.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2025
Varnostna pravila za konstruiranje in vgradnjo dvigal (liftov) - Dvigala za prevoz
oseb in blaga - 28. del: Dvosmerni komunikacijski sistem za stik z reševalno ekipo
Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Lifts for the transport of persons
and goods - Part 28: Twoway communication system to contact a rescue service
Sicherheitsregeln für die Konstruktion und den Einbau von Aufzügen - Aufzüge für den
Personen- und Gütertransport - Teil 28: Zwei-WegeKommunikationssystem zur
Verbindung mit einem Rettungsdienst
Règles de sécurité pour la construction et l'installation des élévateurs - Élévateur pour le
transport de personnes et d'objets - Partie 28 : Système de communication
bidirectionnelle permettant d¿obtenir une liaison permanente avec un service d¿intervent
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 81-28
ICS:
13.320 Alarmni in opozorilni sistemi Alarm and warning systems
91.140.90 Dvigala. Tekoče stopnice Lifts. Escalators
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 81-28
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2025
ICS 13.320; 91.140.90 Will supersede EN 81-28:2022
English Version
Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts -
Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 28: Two-
way communication system
Règles de sécurité pour la construction et l'installation Sicherheitsregeln für die Konstruktion und den Einbau
des élévateurs - Élévateur pour le transport de von Aufzügen - Aufzüge für den Personen- und
personnes et d'objets - Partie 28 : système de Gütertransport - Teil 28: Zwei-Wege-
communication bidirectionnelle Kommunikationssystem
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 10.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 81-28:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

prEN 81-28:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Safety requirements and/or protective/risk reduction measures . 5
4.1 Introduction . 5
4.2 Two-way communication system. 5
4.2.1 Initiation device . 5
4.2.2 Alert activation . 5
4.2.3 Filtering . 6
4.2.4 Initiation of communication . 6
4.2.5 Two-way voice communication . 6
4.2.6 End of alert . 6
4.2.7 Emergency supply . 6
4.2.8 Automatic test . 7
4.2.9 Optical and acoustic signals in the lift car . 7
5 Information for use . 8
6 Verification of the safety requirements and/or protective measures . 8
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Directive 2014/33/EU aimed to be covered . 10
Bibliography . 12

prEN 81-28:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 81-28:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 10 “Lifts,
escalators and moving walks”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 81-28:2022.
EN 81-28:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 81-28:2022:
— editorial corrections to assist in understanding;
— replaced term “alarm” status to “alert” status;
— replaced term “alarm system” and “alarm equipment” to “two-way communication system”;
— clarification and streamlining of requirements;
— changes in verification of the safety requirements and/or protective measures;
— the Annex ZA has been updated.
This document is intended to be used in conjunction with EN ISO 8100-1:— , which gives the basic
requirements for passenger and goods passenger lifts.
This document is part of the EN 81 series of standards. The structure of the EN 81 series is described in
CEN/TR 81-10:2008.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: prEN ISO 8100-1:2024.
prEN 81-28:2025 (E)
Introduction
This document is a type-C standard as stated in EN ISO 12100:2010.
This document is of relevance, in particular, for the following stakeholder groups representing the market
players with regard to machinery safety:
— machine manufacturers (small, medium and large enterprises);
— health and safety bodies (regulators, accident prevention organizations, market surveillance etc.).
Others can be affected by the level of machinery safety achieved with the means of the document by the
above-mentioned stakeholder groups:
— machine users/employers (small, medium and large enterprises);
— machine users/employees (e.g. trade unions, organizations for people with special needs);
— service providers, e.g. for maintenance (small, medium and large enterprises);
— consumers (in case of machinery intended for use by consumers).
The above-mentioned stakeholder groups have been given the possibility to participate in the drafting
process of this document.
The machinery concerned and the extent to which hazards, hazardous situations or hazardous events are
covered are indicated in the Scope of this document.
When requirements of this type C standard are different from those which are stated in type A or type B
standards, the requirements of this type C standard take precedence over the requirements of the other
standards for machines that have been designed and built according to the requirements of this type C
standard.
1 Scope
This document specifies the technical requirements for the two-way communication system of passenger
and goods passenger lifts, to communicate with a reception equipment.
This document is not applicable to lifts installed before the date of its publication.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN ISO 12100:2010, Safety of machinery — General principles for design — Risk assessment and risk
reduction (ISO 12100:2010)
ISO 4190-5:2006, Lift (Elevator) installation — Part 5: Control devices, signals and additional fittings
ISO 7000:2019, Graphical symbols for use on equipment — Registered symbols
IEC 60417:2025, Database — Graphical symbols for use on equipment
prEN 81-28:2025 (E)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 12100:2010 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology d
...