The Bombay Lifts Act, 1939 Complete Act - Bare Act

The Act was extended to that part of the State of Bombay to which, immediately before the commencement of Bom.28 of 1958, it did not extend (vide Bom.28 of 1958, s.2).

[17^th May 1939]

Amended by Bom.17 of 1945.This Act was repealed and re-enacted and the amendments made by section 9 and sch. E of the said Act have been contained in force by Bom.52 of 1947, s.2.

Amended by Bom.32 of 1955.

Adapted and modified by the Bombay Adaptation of Laws (State and Concurrent Subjects) Order, 1956.

Amended by Bom.28 of 1958.

Adapted and modified by the Maharashtra Adaptation of Laws (State and Concurrent Subjects) Order, 1960.

Amended by Mah.20 of 1969.

Amended by Mah.19 of 1977 (1-10-1977). This indicates the date of commencement of Act.

WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the regulation of the construction, maintenance and safe working of certain classes of lifts and all machinery and apparatus pertaining thereto in the These Words were substituted for the words "Province of Bombay" by Bom.28 of 1958, s.3(1).[State of Bombay] in manner hereinafter appearing; It is hereby enacted as follows:-

Short title

1. This Act may be called the Bombay Lifts Act, 1939.

Extent and Commencement

2. This sub-section was substituted for the original, ibid., s. 3(2).[(1) This Act shall extend to the whole of the These words were substituted for the words "State of Bombay" by the Maharashtra Adaptation of Laws (State and Concurrent Subjects) Order, 1960. [State of Maharashtra]:

(2) It shall come into force These words were inserted by Bom.28 of 1958, s. 3 (2),[in the pre-Reorganisation State of Bombay] on such date as the This word was substituted for the word. "Provincia" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.[State] Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, This portion was substituted for the word "appoint" by Bom.28 of 1958. s.3(2)(b).[appointi; and in that part of the These words were substituted for "State of Bombay" by the Maharashtra Adaptation of Laws (State and Concurrent Subjects) Order, 1960.[State of Maharashtra] to which it is extended by the Bombay Lifts (Extension) Act, 1957, it shall come into force on such other date as the State Government may by like notification published in the like manner, appoint].

3. In this Act, rules there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,-

(a) "Inspector of Lifts" means an officer appointed as such by the This words was substituted for the word. "Provincia" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.[State] Government;

(b) "Licence" means a licence granted under section 5;

(c) "Lift" means a hosting mechanism equipped with a This word was substituted for the word "cage" by Bom.32 of 1955, s-2(1) (a).[car] which moves in a substantially vertical direction, is worked by power and is These words substituted for the words "designed or is actually used to carry passengers", ibid., s. 2(1)(b). [designed to carry passenger or goods or both];

[(d) "Lift car" means the cage or car of a lift used whether for the conveyance of passengers or goods or both and includes the floor or platform, car framed, sling and enclosing body work but shall not include a hoist or lift to which the Factories Act, 1948, applies] ;

(e) "Lift installation" includes the lift This word was substituted for the word "cage" ibid., s.3.[car], the lift way, the lift way enclosure and the operating mechanism of the lift and all ropes, cabl` es, wires and plant, directly connected with the operation of the lift;

(f) "Lift way" means the shift in which the lift This word was substituted for the word "cage" ibid., s.3.[car] travels;

(g) "Lift way enclosure" includes any permanent substantial structure surrounding or enclosing the lift way;

(h) "Power" means any form of energy which is not generated by human or animal agency;

(i) "Prescribed" means prescribed by rules;

(j) "Rules" means rules made under section 12.

Permission to erect a lift

4. Every owner of a place intending to install a lift in such place after the commencement of this Act, shall make an application to such officer as the This word was substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.[State] Government may authorize in this behalf for permission to erect such lift. Such application shall be in writing and in such form as may be prescribed.

Such application shall specify-

(1) the type of the lift,

(2) the rated maximum speed of the lift,

(3) the maker's or designer's rated capacity in weight,

(4) the maximum number of passengers in addition to the lift operator which the lift can carry,

(5) the total weight of the lift The word was substituted for the word "cage" ibid., s.3. [car] carrying the maximum load,

(6) the weight of the counterweight,

(7) the number, description, weight and size of the supporting cables,

(8) the depth of the pit from the lowest part of the This word was substituted for the word "cage" ibid., s.3. [car] when at the lowest floor,

(9) such details of the construction of the overhead arrangement with the weight and sizes of the beams as may be prescribed, and

(10) such other particulars as may be prescribed.

On receipt of such application of the Officer authorized under this section shall, after making such enquiry and requiring the applicant to furnish such information as may be necessary, forward the application with his remarks to the This word was substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950 [State] Government. The This word was substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950 [State] Government may thereupon either grant or refuse the permission. Such permission shall be valid only for a period of six months from the date on which it is granted.

Licence to we a lift

5. (1) Every owner of a place who is permitted to install a lift under section 4, shall, within one month after the completion of the erection of such lift deliver or send or cause to be delivered or sent to such officer as the This word was substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950. [State] Government may authorize in this behalf notice in writing of such completion and shall make an application to him for a licence for working the lift.

(2) An application for a licence made under sub-section (1) shall be in such form as may be prescribed. These words were inserted by Mah,. 19 of 1977, s. 2(a). [Along will such application, such fee as may be prescribed shall be paid].

(3) On receipt of such application such officer as may be authorized in this behalf by the This word was substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950. [State] Government after making such enquiry as may be necessary forward the application with his remarks to the This word was substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950. [State] Government. The this word substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950. [State] Government may, thereupon, either grant or refuse the licence.

6. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sections 4 and 5 every owner of a place in which a lift has been installed before the date of the commencement of this Act, shall within two mounts from such date apply for a licence for the working of such lift.

(2) The provisions of sub-sections (2) to (4) of section 5 shall, so far as may be, apply to such application.

Lift not to be operated without a licence.

7. Subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf no lift shall be worked except under and in conformity with the terms of the incence granted in respect of the same.

Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a lift installed at the date of the commencement of this Act, for a period of two months from such date of if an application or licence is made within that period in accordance with the provisions of section 6, until such application is finally disposed of under the said section.

Additions and alterations to the lift installation.

[7A. No additions or alterations other than those required to be made under sub-section (2) of section 8, shall be made to any lift installation except with the previous permission in writing of an officer authorized in this behalf by the State Government.]

Right to enter any building for inspection of lifts and lift installation.

8. (1) An officer authorized in this behalf by the This word was substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950. [State] Government may at any time after giving reasonable notice to the occupant enter upon any building in which a lift is installed or is being installed or in connection with which an application for a licence has been received, for the purpose of inspecting the lift or the lift installation or the site thereof.

Order for repairs, alterations to and discontinuance of lifts in an unsafe condition.

(2) If no such inspection the officer is of the opinion that any lift in any building is in an unsafe condition, he may issue an order on the owner the building These words were inserted by Bom.32 of 1955, s.5(1) (a). [or his agent appointed under sub-section (2) of section 9] requiring such repairs on alterations to be made to such lift as he may deem necessary within the time specified therein and may also, if necessary, order the use of such lift to be discontinued until such repairs or alterations are made or such unsafe condition is removed. This portion was inserted, ibid., s.5(1)(b). [The owner or his agent, as the case may be , shall thereupon comply with the order within the period specified therein and shall forthwith report in writing to the officer of having so complied.] The portion beginning with the words "An appeal shall lie and ending with the words" shall be final, was deleted, ibid., s 5(1) (c).

[(3) Any person aggrieved by an order of the officer under sub-section (2) may, within thirty days from the date of such order, appeal to the State Government.

(4) Notwithstanding any appeal made to the State Government under sub-section (3), any order to discontinue the use of a lift made by the officer under sub-section (2) shall be complied with, unless the State Government has suspended such order.

(5) The order made by the officer under sub-section (2), subject to an appeal to the State Government and the decision of the State Government on the appeal shall be final.]

Owner to give facilities for inspection.

8A. The owner of a building in which a lift is installed or his agent appointed under sub-section (2) of section 9 shall afford all reasonable facilities to the officer for inspecting a lift under section 8 and whenever ordered to do so by the officer shall, at his own cost procure at such inspection the attendance of the person, if any, with whom he has entered into a contract for the erection or maintenance of the lift on a representative of such person who is competent to guide the officer in inspecting the lift.]

Report of accident.

9. (1) Where any accident occurs in the operation of any lift These words were substituted for the word "resulting", ibid., s. 7(1). [which results or was likely to result] in injury to any person the owner of the building in which the lift is working or if such owner has appointed an agent and has communicated his name to the Inspector of Lifts under sub-section (3) such agent shall as soon as may be after such accident given notice with full details of the accidents to the Inspector of Lifts and also in These words were substituted for the words "the City of Bombay" by Bom.17 of 1945, s. 9 and such. E, read with Bom.52 of 1947, s. 2 Proviso. [the Greater Bombay] to the Commissioner of Police and elsewhere to the District Magistrate These words were inserted by Bom.28 of 1958, s.3(3). [or such other officer as the State Government may by order specify] and These words were inserted by Bom.32 of 1955, s. 7(2). [the lift installation shall not be interfered with in any way and] the working of such lift shall not be resumed except with the written permission of the officer authorized in this behalf by the This word was substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950. [State] Government.

(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the owner of every building in which a lift has been installed may and if such owner does not reside in such building, shall appoint an agent who shall be a resident in the town or village in which the building is situate to give notice of any accident occurring in the operation of the lift.

(3) The name of every agent appointed under sub-section (2) shall be communicated to the Inspector of Lifts.

Delegation of the powers of Government.

10. The This word was substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.[State] Government may delegate any of the powers conferred on it by or under this Act to such officer as it thinks fit.

Inspection of lifts.

11. Every lift shall be inspected at least once in six months by an officer authorized in this behalf by the This word was substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.[State] Government. These words were substituted for the words, letter and figures "An annual fee of Rs.30" by Mah. 19 of 1977, s. 3. [An annual fee at such rate as may be prescribed] shall be charged for such inspection and such fee shall include the charges for the inspection of the motor.

Recovery of fees.

[11A. All sums payable as fees under this Act shall be recoverable as arrears of land revenue.]

Powers to make rules.

12. (1) The This word was substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950. [State] Government may, from time to time by notification in the Official Gazette, These words were inserted by Mah.19 of 1977, s.4(a). [and subject to the condition of previous publication] make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(2) In particular and without prejudice of the generality of the foregoing provision, such rules may be made for the following matters, namely:-

(a) specifications for lifts,

(b) the manner in which erection plans of lifts shall be submitted,

(c) the manner in which the lifts may be tested,

(d) the form of application for the erection of a lift or a licence for working the same,

(e) the terms and conditions subject to which and the form in which the licences may be granted for the working of a lift under section 7,

(f) the manner in which and the terms subject to which the lifts shall be worked under section 7,

Clause (fa) was inserted by Mah. 19 of 1977, s. 4(b).(i). [(fa) the fee payable in respect of an application for a licence for the working of a lift under section 7 and the annual fee payable for inspection of a lift under section 11, which fees may be different for different classes of Lifts, and the manner of paying such fees ;]

(g) the manner in which notice of accidents shall be given and the form of such notice, The word "and" was deleted, ibid., s.4 (b)(ii).

(h) the form of notice to be given under section 8,

Clause (i) was inserted, ibid., s. 4(b)(iii).[(i) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.]

Sub-section (3) was added, ibid., s.4(c).[(3) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature while it is in session for a total period of thirty days, which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule, or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, and notify such decision in the Official Gazette, the rule shall from the date of publication of such notification have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be ; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done or omitted to be done under that rule.]

13. Whoever contravenes any of the provisions of this Act, rules or conditions of a licence or a direction given by the Inspector of Lifts under this Act or the rules shall, on conviction, be punishable with a fine which may extent to five hundred rupees and, in the case of continuing contravention with an additional fine which may extend to fifty rupees for every day during which such contravention continues after conviction for the first such contravention.

Sections 13A, 13B and 13C were inserted by Bom. 32 of 1955, s.9.[13A. (1) Every notice, order or document by or under this Act required or authorized to be addressed to any person may be served by post or left,-

(a) where a local authority is the addressee, at the office of the local authority,

(b) where a company is the addressee, at the registered office of the company or in the event of the registered office of the company not being in India, at the head office of the company in India ;

(c) where any other person is the addressee, at the usual or last known place of abode or business of the person.

(2) Every notice, order or document by or under this Act, required or authorized to be addressed to the owner or the agent of the owner, or the occupant of any premises shall be deemed to be properly addressed, if addressed by the description of the "owner" or "agent of the owner" or "occupant" of the premises (naming the premises) and may be served by delivering it or a true copy thereof, to some person on the premises or, if there is no person on the premises to whom the same can with reasonable diligence be delivered, by affixing it on some conspicuous part of the premises.

Protection for acts done in good faith.

13B. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall be instituted against any officer for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.

Application of Act to lifts belonging to Government.

13C. The provisions of this Act shall apply to lifts installed by Government and in the application of the said provisions to such lifts, the said provisions shall be deemed to have been adapted or modified as follows :-

Clauses (1) and (2) were substituted for the original by Bom. 28 of 1958, s.3(4).[(1) In sub-section (1) of section 6, for the words beginning with the words "every owner" and ending with the words "working of such lift" the following shall be substituted, namely:-

"an application for a licence shall be made by Government which has or on whose behalf a lift has been installed,-

(a) before, the commencement of the Bombay Lifts (Amendment) Act,1955, within two months from the said date ;

(b) before this Act is brought into force in that part of the State to which it is extended by the Bombay Lifts (Extension) Act, 1957, within two months from the date it is so brought into force;

For the working of such lift.";

(2) In the proviso to section 7, for the words "commencement of this Act, for a period of two months from such date" the following shall be substitute, namely:-

"commencement of this Act, or to a lift installed by Government before the commencement of the Bombay Lifts (Amendment) Act, 1955, or installed before this Act is brought into force in that part of the State to which it is extended by the Bombay Lifts (Extension) Act, 1957, for a period of two months from such commencement, or as the case may be, the date it is so brought into force."] ;

(3) In section 8,-

(a) In sub-section (3), for the words "the State Government" the words "the appellate authority appointed in this behalf by the State Government" shall be substituted;

(b) In sub-section (4) and (5), for the words "the State Government," wherever they occur, the words, "the appellate authority" shall be substituted;

(4) In sub-section (2) of section 9, for the words beginning with the words "the owner of every building" and ending with the words "in such building," the following shall be substituted, namely:-

"For every building in which a lift has been installed by Government, Government";

(5) Section 13 shall be deleted;

(6) For clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 13A, the following shall be substituted, namely:-

"(a) Where Government is the addressee, at the office of the agent appointed by such Government under sub-section (2) of section 9;"].

14. Nothing contained in this Act shall affect the provisions of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910, or any rules made thereunder.