Choosing the right passenger lift can make or break your building's flow. Get it wrong, and you face delays, safety issues, or even code violations that halt construction. At Recon Elevator, we help you nail the details so your elevators run smooth and meet every need.
This guide breaks down standard passenger lift sizes, key capacity factors, and when custom options shine. We'll cover everything from basic dimensions to smart tweaks for tight spaces. By the end, you'll see why expert input from day one saves headaches later.
Standard sizes form the base for most passenger elevators. They fit common buildings without fuss. But picking the right one starts with your space and crowd levels.
Think about rush hour in your lobby. If 50 people hit the elevators at once, a tiny car won't cut it. You need to match the car's footprint to peak traffic—say, 200 square feet of floor space for a mid-size office to handle 15% of folks per five minutes.
Building codes like the ADA set a floor of 51 by 68 inches inside the car for wheelchairs. More stops mean slower trips, so low-rise setups (under seven floors) often pick 6-8 person cars. Mid-rise towers might go bigger to keep wait times under 30 seconds. Factor in your occupancy: a hotel needs room for luggage, while an apartment focuses on quick family loads.
Most passenger lifts come in widths from 36 to 80 inches, with depths around 48 to 60 inches. A basic 36-by-48-inch car suits small homes or low-traffic spots. Go to 48-by-60 for offices where groups pile in.
Hoistway sizes add extra room—typically six inches wider and deeper than the car for cables and guides. Machine-room-less models shrink that to four inches on sides. Here's a quick comparison:
These setups keep costs down while meeting daily demands. Pick based on your door count—single or double panels change the math a bit.
The car's not the whole story; space above and below matters too. Pits need at least 4 feet deep for safety buffers and gear access. Overhead clearance runs 12 to 14 feet in standard setups to house motors and beams.
Shallow pits cut excavation costs in retrofits, but check for 3-foot minimums under ADA rules. Headroom keeps passengers safe during stops. For your site check, run this list:
These specs ensure smooth installs and easy fixes down the line.
Capacity goes beyond just fitting people. It's about weight, speed, and rules that keep things safe. Nail these, and your building hums.
Lifts rate for both folks and pounds. A 10-person car might hold 1,500 pounds total. Weight rules because gear or carts push limits faster than bodies.
Load sensors in the car floor ping the controller if overload hits. They stop doors from closing until weight drops. In design, engineers use weight as the hard cap—passenger counts are just guides. For example, a family with strollers could max out a 1,000-pound unit quicker than solo riders.
This setup prevents strain on cables and motors. Always list your max load in specs to match insurance needs.
Speed ties straight to how many trips your lift makes per hour. At 100 feet per minute, a low-rise office clears crowds fine. Bump to 200 FPM for taller stacks to cut waits.
Handling capacity, or HC, shows efficiency—aim for 12% in offices, up to 20% in hospitals. Slow speeds mean you need bigger cars or extra units. Say your building sees 300 peaks; a 150 FPM lift with 1,000-pound capacity handles it if zoned right.
Industry stats peg average office HC at 15%. Match speed to floors: under five, 100 FPM works; over 10, go faster. This keeps frustration low and energy use steady.
Wheelchair users need real room to move. ADA demands 36-inch door openings and 61-inch turning space inside. Clear floor area hits 36 by 48 inches minimum, but 42 by 54 feels better for scooters.
In California, codes add a 32-inch side approach path. These rules cover 80% of mobility aids without cramping rides. Test your layout: can someone pivot easy? Poor space leads to complaints or fines.
Bigger cars boost flow for all. Add handrails at 34 inches high for extra grip.
Off-the-shelf works for basics, but curves in your blueprint call for tweaks. Custom passenger lift in Delhi options fix those fits. Recon Elevator shines here, bending rules without breaking safety.
Old brick walls or odd floor shapes scream for custom. In historic spots, we slim hoistways to 5 feet wide. For retrofits, hydraulic jacks shift to corners, easing pit digs.
Center-load jacks balance even; end-load saves depth in sloped sites. Say your shaft's only 6 by 6 feet—standard skips it, but we adjust slings for a snug 8-person car. These changes dodge demo costs and keep your look intact.
Flexibility rules in tight urban builds. Engineers map loads to avoid weak spots.
Looks matter in lobbies. Swap steel panels for wood veneers that warm up glass towers. LED strips along ceilings add a soft glow without heat.
Durable stainless holds up to fingerprints in high-traffic halls. For luxe spots, glass doors let light flow. Match finishes to use: brushed metal for offices, polished for hotels.
Pick low-maintenance options to cut cleaning time. A quick tip: test samples under your lights—colors shift. This ties your lift to the building's vibe.
Passenger cars haul gurneys in clinics sometimes. Boost weight to 2,000 pounds with thicker floors. But that trades comfort—less legroom for stretchers.
Reinforce doors for wide equipment. In offices, occasional carts need 48-inch depths. Balance it: keep ride smooth for daily folks while prepping for extras.
Trade-offs show in speed drops under heavy hauls. Opt for hybrid designs that flex without full freight overkill.
MRL lifts pack punch in slim packages. No bulky rooms mean more usable floors. They're game for modern stacks.
Skip the machine room, and you reclaim 100 square feet per floor. MRL hoistways shrink overhead to 10 feet versus 15 in old geared types. This frees roof space for green roofs or AC units.
In condos, that extra height means taller ceilings below. For the same 10-person car, MRL needs a 7-by-7-foot shaft—15% less than roomed models. Energy perks cut bills by 30%, per recent studies.
These units fit new codes pushing green builds. Quiet gears mean less noise too.
MRL drives tuck into the hoist top, sipping 20% less juice than traction olds. Controllers go in a small closet or hoist side, dodging full rooms. This setup clears 9-foot overheads easy.
Power lines run direct, simplifying wiring. In tight spots, integrate panels flush to walls. Stats show MRLs use 25% less energy overall, boosting ROI.
Check your grid—most handle 208-volt feeds without upgrades.
Specs lock in your vision. Recon walks you through to avoid surprises. It's hands-on from sketch to install.
We start with your blueprints and use chat. Traffic studies count peaks—say, 400 in a morning rush. This sets car size and count.
Bring floor plans, occupancy sheets, and site photos. We crunch numbers for HC targets. Early input spots issues like weak beams.
This phase flags custom needs fast.
See a car mock-up in our shop—feel the space. Sample doors and lights match your scheme. Verify dims against your shaft.
Sign off confirms codes and looks. We test loads before build. This step catches tweaks pre-fab, saving weeks.
Your input shapes the final product.
Right sizing blends rules, use, and style for top-notch lifts. Miss it, and costs climb; hit it, and your building thrives. Recon Elevator guides you to smart choices.
Key takeaways:
Ready to spec your passenger lift? Contact Recon Elevator today for a free consult. Let's build efficiency that lasts.
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