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In the field of lift maintenance, the RAE number constitutes an essential element within the technical and legal control of any installation in Spain. The proper application of technical regulations and the performance of specialized maintenance are essential to ensure the safe operation of these systems, as well as the continuous monitoring of each installation throughout its service life.
Within this control system, the RAE number acts as a mandatory identifier that must be present at all times. From a maintenance perspective, this code makes it possible to link each lift to its technical documentation, as well as to its record of inspections and interventions.
For this reason, it is essential to understand what the RAE number of a lift is, who assigns it, and what implications it has both for the installation owner and for the maintenance company, since regulatory compliance and the proper commissioning of the equipment depend on it.
What is the RAE number of a lift?
The RAE number of a lift is assigned by the competent authority in industrial matters of each Autonomous Community. This function is usually carried out by the regional Ministries or Directorates-General of Industry, which are responsible for the official registration of lifting equipment in the corresponding industrial register.
To obtain this number, the technical documentation of the installation must be submitted to the relevant authority. Once validated, the lift is registered and the RAE number is assigned, which remains permanently linked to the installation, certifying that the equipment has been legalized in accordance with current regulations and that it may be put into service under the corresponding administrative and technical supervision.
When is the RAE number of a lift requested?
The RAE number of a lift is requested once the installation has been completed by the responsible company and before the equipment officially enters into operational service.
After completing the installation, an initial inspection is carried out by an Authorized Control Body (OCA). The technical documentation is then submitted to the competent industrial authority, which reviews the information provided and, if everything is in order, proceeds with the registration of the equipment and the assignment of the lift’s RAE number. Only after this step can the equipment be considered legally authorized for commissioning. It is important to note that, without the RAE number, a lift should not operate.
Is the RAE number mandatory for lifts?
Yes. The RAE number is mandatory for all lifts that are installed and put into service in Spain.
Legal or technical consequences of not having the RAE number
Not having an RAE number can have significant consequences at both a legal and operational level. These may include the prohibition of lift use until it is properly legalized, the imposition of administrative penalties, or difficulties during mandatory regulatory inspections.
Furthermore, in the event of an accident or technical incident, the absence of registration may entail legal liability for the owner of the installation.
Where must the RAE number of a lift be visible?
The RAE number of a lift, in addition to appearing in the technical documentation of the equipment, must be physically visible on the installation itself. Current regulations and industry best practices establish that this number must be easily located during lift maintenance tasks, technical inspections, and emergency interventions.
In most cases, the RAE number is located inside the cabin, in a clearly visible area for both users and technical personnel. It may also be found in the control panel, in the machine room (when the installation has one), and, in certain cases, in technical areas such as the pit.
This information must appear on a permanent plate or support, with legible characters that are resistant to wear, so that it cannot be altered by use or the passage of time. In addition, the RAE number must be recorded in the installation’s maintenance logbook.
This plate usually includes, in addition to the RAE number, the name of the maintenance company, the 24-hour technical assistance phone number, the rated load in kilograms, the maximum number of persons, and, in some cases, the lift’s internal identification used by the maintenance company.
Responsibility of the maintenance company
The maintenance company plays a key role in the proper management and control of the visibility of a lift’s RAE number. Although the assignment of the RAE corresponds to the public administration, the company responsible for maintenance must verify that this number is correctly identified on the lift and that it matches the official technical documentation of the equipment.
As part of its duties, the maintenance company must check the condition of the identification plate during periodic maintenance tasks, ensuring that the RAE number is legible, up to date, and shows no signs of deterioration. If damage, loss of information, or absence of the plate is detected, the company must inform the installation owner and manage its replacement in accordance with the applicable regulatory and technical requirements.
Furthermore, the maintenance company must ensure that the information associated with the RAE is properly reflected in the lift’s technical documentation, in the maintenance records, and in the inspection reports.
The importance of the RAE number in safety and technical control
The RAE number of a lift is not merely an administrative formality. It is a key element within the industrial safety system. For users, it represents an indirect guarantee that the lift has been legally registered, and for maintenance companies, it is the foundation upon which the entire technical traceability of the equipment is built.
In this context, companies with technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and operational capacity, such as ASZENDE, ensure the proper management of these requirements, making sure that each installation complies with current legislation and maintains the safety standards required in the sector.
Verifying the existence of the RAE number, its correct assignment, and its physical visibility should be considered an essential practice within any responsible maintenance strategy.
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