Lift for people with disabilities: what the codes require
For clients commissioning schools, hospitals, administrative service centres and administrative buildings, as well as for designers and technical supervision engineers. We quote the clauses of DBN V.2.2-40:2018 verbatim, with their numbers, and explain how we meet them with MP lifts in new and existing buildings.
What we need for a quoteView from the car. Rendering
2Codes
When a public building needs a lift
DBN V.2.2-40:2018 “Inclusiveness of buildings and structures” (Ukrainian building code) is mandatory for new public buildings, as well as for the reconstruction, restoration and major repair of existing ones. If public premises are located above or below the entrance floor, a lift or lifting device must provide access to them.
| Section 1 | “These codes apply to the design and construction of new, and the reconstruction, restoration and major repair of existing, residential buildings and public buildings and structures, as well as to their reasonable accommodation taking into account the needs of people with reduced mobility (hereinafter PRM). … The requirements of these codes are mandatory for all legal entities and individuals in Ukraine, except for the construction of individual residential houses.” |
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| cl. 6.3.3.1 | “Residential buildings and public buildings and structures shall be equipped with passenger lifts and lifting devices (inclined or vertical platform lifts) where premises are located on floors above or below the main entrance floor of the building (ground floor), in accordance with the requirements of DSTU ISO 4190-1, DSTU ISO 4190-5, DSTU ISO 4190-6, DSTU EN 81-40, DSTU EN 81-41, DSTU EN 81-70, DSTU EN 81-71, DSTU EN 81-82 and NPAOP 0.00-1.02. The method of lifting persons with disabilities and the possibility of duplicating these methods of lifting shall be established by the design brief.” |
| cl. 6.1.8 | “… When premises are located on different levels of a building, in addition to stairs, ramps, lifts complying with DSTU EN 81-70, lifting platforms, vertical lifting devices complying with DSTU EN 81-40, DSTU EN 81-41 or other means of movement shall be provided.” |
Under cl. 6.3.3.1, the design brief determines how people are to be lifted, by a lift or by a vertical platform lift. Educational, healthcare and other types of buildings are also subject to their own building codes, which the designer checks for the specific project.
The clauses are quoted verbatim from the consolidated text of DBN V.2.2-40:2018 with Amendments 1-4 (Amendment No. 4 in force from 1 October 2026), published on the YeDESSB portal (Unified State Electronic System in Construction). Amendment notes after the clauses have been omitted. The consolidated text is for reference only, so a design, certificate or technical specification should refer to the DBN itself and its amendments.
2Car
Car and door dimensions
Clause 6.3.3.2 sets the minimum internal dimensions of the lift car and the door opening width.
| cl. 6.3.3.2 | “The lift car shall have internal dimensions of not less than, m: width - 1.1; depth - 1.4. For new construction, lifts with a door opening width of not less than 0.9 m shall be used. In other cases, the door opening size is set by the design brief, with a clear door opening width of not less than 0.9 m. It is recommended to use lifts with cars having internal dimensions of not less than: width - 2.1 m, depth - 1.1 m, and a door opening width of not less than 1.2 m.” |
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We require internal dimensions of 1.1 × 1.4 m both from a lift car and from an enclosed platform lift with a car and doors. An open vertical platform lift without a car may be smaller: its dimensions are determined by the platform lift standard DSTU EN 81-41 and the design brief.
MP tables give the external car dimensions, whereas the DBN sets the internal ones. So a car with an external width of 1100 mm will be narrower than 1.1 m inside and will not meet the width requirement. For a public building we choose a car with larger external dimensions and check the internal ones on the drawing for your project.
| Persons | Rated load, kg | Car, external | Door clear opening | Shaft W × D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 630 | 1100 × 1400 | 900 | 1600 × 1650 |
| 10 | 750 | 1200 × 1500 | 900 | 1700 × 1750 |
| 13 | 1000 | 1100 × 2100 | 900 | 1600 × 2350 |
| 15 | 1125 | 1200 × 2150 | 1000 | 1700 × 2400 |
| 17 | 1275 | 1200 × 2300 | 1000 | 1800 × 2700 |
| 21 | 1600 | 1400 × 2400 | 1100 | 2000 × 2750 |
Typical MP GO values from the manufacturer’s table, T2 doors. The clear opening is the width of the open doorway. Cars from 1200 × 1500 mm have a margin on both sides relative to 1100 × 1400 mm, but only the drawing shows whether 1.1 × 1.4 m will be achieved inside. Dimensions of other models are collected on the Lift dimensions page.
2Equipment
Buttons, signalling and communication
These requirements concern the lift equipment, so we include them in the specification before ordering.
| Clause | What the code requires | How we meet it with MP |
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| DBN, cl. 6.3.3.3 | “Visual and audible information signalling shall be provided next to each lift door.” | The gong and the voice announcer are standard on MP GO. Landing call panels can have a display and direction arrows, and we record in the specification exactly what goes next to the doors on each floor. We prepare the voice announcements in Ukrainian ourselves. |
| DBN, cl. 6.3.3.5 | “Information next to the buttons in the lift shall be duplicated in tactile form and in Braille. Text on the buttons shall be in an enlarged font with contrasting colours. Digit height: 0.05 m. The floor number shall also be displayed on the wall opposite the lift exit. The digit shall contrast with the wall on which it is placed, and the character size shall comply with Annex V.” | Braille marking of the buttons is part of the EN 81-70 accessibility option. We check the digit height and contrast against the chosen button model. The floor number opposite the exit is part of the lobby finishes and is included in the design together with the lift. |
| DBN, cl. 8.3.6 | “Tactile signs shall contain brief information in tactile form as flat printed text and in Braille. Tactile signs shall indicate: … the purpose of the buttons on the control panel in lifts - next to the buttons; the floor number - next to the lift call button; …” | We plan the markings next to the landing call buttons together with the landing call panels. |
| DBN, cl. 7.3.6 | “Enclosed spaces of a building (lifts, fire-safe zones, separate sanitary and toilet rooms with a separate entrance) where a person may be left alone shall be equipped with two-way communication with a dispatcher or attendant. Emergency lighting shall be provided in such rooms (cars).” | An MP car always has EN 81-28 emergency communication with a telephone and an alarm button, as well as emergency lighting. The communication line typically runs over LTE; an analogue line is also possible. |
| DBN, cl. 9.5 | “Lift cars shall be equipped with video or other real-time text communication with the dispatcher.” | The scope of this communication depends on the building’s remote monitoring (dispatch) system, so we agree it for each project. |
| Handrail | DBN V.2.2-40 has no separate clause on the handrail in a lift car. For lift requirements, the code refers to DSTU EN 81-70 (cl. 6.1.8 and 6.3.3.1). | In MP’s EN 81-70 accessibility option, the handrail is on the side wall. Handrails can also be fitted to other car walls. |
| Technical Regulation on Lifts, Annex 1, item 13 | “The controls of lifts intended for use by persons with disabilities (persons with reduced physical abilities) without assistance shall be appropriately designed and located.” | Before commissioning, the lift undergoes conformity assessment under the Technical Regulation on Lifts (Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 438). We prepare the commissioning documents. |
We quote the Technical Regulation on Lifts and Safety Components for Lifts from the text on the Verkhovna Rada website, as amended on 18 December 2025. The EN 81-70 option is not part of the standard MP equipment, so it should be named in the brief from the outset.
2Existing building
Lift in an existing building
If the accessibility requirements cannot be met in full in an existing building, the DBN provides for reasonable accommodation. In practice, we consider three options.
| cl. 4.1 | “… Where the requirements for accessibility, convenience and information for the needs of persons with disabilities cannot be fully met in existing residential buildings and public buildings and structures, reasonable accommodation shall be provided.” |
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| cl. 3.36 | “An individual architectural and planning solution that provides people with reduced mobility with a minimum standard of accessibility in the reconstruction, restoration, major repair and technical re-equipment of existing residential buildings and public buildings and structures. Reasonable accommodation may include assistive technical devices and mechanisms (ramps, lifting devices, mechanisms, portable ramps). …” |
- Lift in an existing shaftWe measure the shaft on every floor, as well as the pit and headroom. An old shaft is often designed for a smaller car than cl. 6.3.3.2 requires. For tight shafts there is MP Flex: the Flex 1000 series for 800 kg with a side-mounted machine has a 1200 × 1500 mm car (external) and fits a 1730 × 1720 mm shaft. If the machine room is retained, MP GO Room is suitable.
- Attached steel-frame shaftIf there is no shaft, we build an attached steel-frame shaft next to the facade, glazed or with solid cladding. The foundation, frame and glazing are done by our own crews. In such a shaft we install a machine-room-less MP GO, and for a low-rise extension with a few stops the hydraulic MP Hydro is suitable. Such works require a design and approvals.
- Vertical platform liftIn a low-rise building where a deep pit is not possible, we consider the MP Mobi platform lift: 0.15 m/s, up to 6 stops, travel up to 18 m, pit from 200 mm. It is installed inside or outside the building. MP manufactures Mobi under EU machinery legislation, so its documents differ from those for a lift.
Our crews built this shaft on the facade of a historic building, from the foundation to the glazing. The lift in it is from another manufacturer, not MP, so we show it only as an example of the building works. More of our shafts are on the Turnkey lift page.
Which MP lifts are suitable
We choose the model depending on whether there is a shaft and a machine room, and how many stops are needed.
- New or attached shaft, machine-room-less. Cars up to 1400 × 2400 mm external, door clear opening up to 1100 mm.MP GO
- Existing tight shaft and shallow pit, cars up to 1000 kg.MP Flex
- The machine room in the building is retained.MP GO Room
- Low-rise extension with a few stops, hydraulic drive.MP Hydro
- Vertical platform lift for a low-rise building, pit from 200 mm.MP Mobi
- Beds and stretchers are transported in the building.Hospital bed lift
Lift for rescue in a fire
Clause 10.15 links building accessibility with fire safety.
| cl. 10.15 | “Residential buildings and public buildings and structures shall be equipped with lifts for the transport of fire brigades in accordance with the requirements of DBN V.1.1-7, DSTU EN 81-72 and DSTU EN 81-73, which may be used to rescue persons with disabilities from fire-safe zones. The number of lifts required to rescue persons with disabilities from safety zones is established in accordance with Annex A. Lifts equipped with control systems complying with DSTU ISO 4190-6 and NPAOP 0.00-1.02 shall be used.” |
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The designer calculates the number of such lifts under Annex A, based on the car capacity and the number of people in the fire-safe zones. For MP lifts, the EN 81-72 option for firefighters and the EN 81-73 option for lift behaviour in the event of fire are ordered separately; they are not included in the standard equipment.
What we need for a quote
For an initial conversation, just tell us the city, the building type and the number of floors. We will gather the rest during the site survey, which is free.
- Building and stopsBuilding type, number of stops and the height between them. If visitors also need to reach the lower ground floor, tell us straight away.
- Shaft or space for oneShaft width and depth, pit, headroom, machine room. If there is no shaft, we will need photos of the facade or lobby where it could go. How to measure is shown on the Lift dimensions page.
- Design briefIf you already have a design or a brief, send it to us. We will check the car and door dimensions against cl. 6.3.3.2 and the list of EN 81-70, EN 81-72 and EN 81-73 options.
- Site surveyWe come out, measure the shaft or the space for an attached shaft, and check the entrances, openings and power supply.
- Drawings and costThe drawing for your project is prepared by the manufacturer, and only the drawing shows the internal car dimensions. We calculate the cost after the site survey, pricing the equipment, building works and installation separately.
- DocumentsBefore commissioning, the lift undergoes conformity assessment under the Technical Regulation on Lifts. We prepare the commissioning documents.
In the open register of Prozorro, Ukraine’s public procurement system, as of July 2026 we have 163 signed contracts with 42 clients. The equipment in them is from other manufacturers, not MP. We have been on the market for over 20 years.
Questions about lifts for people with disabilities
Is a lift mandatory in a two-storey public building?
Yes, if there are public premises on the upper floor. Clause 6.3.3.1 of DBN V.2.2-40:2018 requires lifts or lifting devices where premises are located above or below the main entrance floor. Whether it will be a lift or a vertical platform lift is determined by the design brief.
What is the smallest lift car for a wheelchair user?
Under cl. 6.3.3.2 of DBN V.2.2-40:2018, the car must be at least 1.1 m wide and 1.4 m deep inside, with a door clear opening of at least 0.9 m. MP tables give the external car dimensions, so we check compliance from a drawing of the internal dimensions.
Can a vertical platform lift be installed instead of a lift?
DBN V.2.2-40:2018 lists vertical platform lifts among the means of lifting (cl. 6.1.8 and 6.3.3.1), and the choice between a lift and a platform lift is set by the design brief. In the MP range, this is MP Mobi: 0.15 m/s, up to 6 stops, pit from 200 mm. If many visitors use the lift every day, this speed may not be enough, and in that case we recommend a lift.
What if not all the requirements can be met in an old building?
For such cases, cl. 4.1 of DBN V.2.2-40:2018 (Ukrainian building code) provides for reasonable accommodation. Under cl. 3.36, this may include assistive technical devices and mechanisms, in particular lifting devices. The solution is recorded in the design, and we select a lift or platform lift that fits the building.
Is EN 81-70 accessibility included in the standard MP equipment?
No, EN 81-70 is an option at MP: Braille buttons, a handrail on the side wall, voice announcements. It should be named in the brief from the outset so that it goes into the specification and the cost estimate.
How much does a lift for people with disabilities cost?
We calculate the cost after a free site survey, as it depends on the shaft, the number of stops and the building works. What the price includes is explained on the How much does a lift cost page.
43D configurator
Car with the EN 81-70 option in 3D
The configurator will open a 1600 kg car with Braille buttons, handrails and voice announcements. You can change the rated load, finishes and number of stops to suit your building, and save the link for your designer.
Open the 3D configurator