ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORS

➢ Elevators: Planning and grouping of elevators.

• Elevator design parameters.
• Different types of elevators –
• passenger elevators,
• observation elevators,
• hospital elevators and
• freight elevators.
➢ Construction details – lift shaft, lift pit, machine room etc.
➢ Escalators: Planning and details of escalators and travelators
Drawings: Passenger lift, Capsule lift, Escalator.
ELEVATORS

▪ A vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people between floors (levels, deck) of a building,
vessel or other structure.
▪ Generally powered by electric motor that drive by traction cable and counterweight systems like a hoist or
hydraulic pump.

PLANNING A VERTICAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

➢ How many people need to be transported in a 5 min period? Arrival rates as % of population.
➢ How long do passengers have to wait for a lift?
➢ How long do passengers take to get to their destination?
➢ How many lifts are needed?
➢ How big do the lifts need to be?
➢ How fast do the lifts need to be?
➢ How many journeys per year will the lifts make?
ELEVATORS: PLANNING AND GROUPING OF ELEVATORS

• The lifts should be easily accessible from all entrances

to the building.
• For maximum efficiency, they should be grouped near
the centre of the building.
• It is preferable not to have all the lifts out in straight
line and, if possible, not more than four lifts should be
arranged in this manner.
• If more than 4 lifts have to be grouped together in a
straight line, then destination control systems would
require to adopted.
• The corridor should be wide enough to allow sufficient
space for waiting passengers as well as for through
passengers.
ELEVATORS: PLANNING AND GROUPING OF ELEVATORS

• In larger, multistory buildings it is usual to locate the lifts at a central pedestrian circulation point.
• Lobbies in front of lift shaft entrances must be designed and arranged.
• For a lobby in front of a single lift, the available min depth between the wall of the lift shaft door and the
opposite wall, measured in the direction of the lift car must be at least the same as the depth of the lift car
itself.
• The building and its function dictate the basic type of lifts which need to be provided.
• Lifts are mechanical installations which are required to have a long service life.
• Elevators serving single zone of upper floors should be grouped in plan with interlinked controls.
• Arrangement of lobbies should allow waiting passenger move rapidly to whichever car arrives first.
• No more than 4 elevator entrances should be alongside each other, facing entrances should be 2500-3500
apart.
• Elevator entrances should not lie on opposite sides of circulation route.
• In large building lobby area tends to be 5-6 sqm. per elevator on upper floors and 15-20 sq.m per elevator at
ground floor with single group of elevators.
ELEVATORS: PLANNING AND GROUPING OF ELEVATORS

➢ For efficient performances under heavy flows of traffic number of stops made by elevator cars should be kept
minimum.
➢ In large building there should be single main loading floor, passengers entering building at other levels should
be brought by secondary circulation to main lobby at ground level.
LOCATION IN BUILDING

• It is recommended that the walking distance between the entrance of office and the lift group should not be
greater than 6Om, preferably this should be kept to 45m maximum.
• When lifts are arranged in a group it is recommended that all the lifts in that should serve the same floors
• The location of goods and service lifts will depend on their function, but they should not open into passenger
lift or public areas.
SIZE – LIFT DIMENSION

• Standard elevator dimensions for the regular passenger style elevators vary.
• However, the most common size has a 2500 lb capacity and a floor area of about 27.1 sq ft, that's about 4.5
feet by 6 feet.
• The larger the elevator the more weight it must be able to hold.
• In addition, depending upon the use of the elevator it's shape and size will vary.
• Hospital elevators, for instance, are deeper and have more floor space in order to accommodate metal
stretchers and /or other hospital equipment.
• For example, many lifts must comply with the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) regulations for disabled
access and therefore must accommodate a wheelchair user with an additional person.
• With this in mind, it is recommended that a lift car be no smaller than 1100mm x 1400mm.
• Larger lift sizes of around 2000mm x 1400mm are more preferable and allow most types of wheelchair and
several standing passengers to ride in the car at one time.
• The larger the lift though and the longer the journey (the taller the building) other concerns arise such as
fitting fold-away seating or perch seats for passenger comfort.

*Full form of lb is Libra(Latin word) meaning 'scales, balances‘. Libra is a Roman unit of mass measurement. 1Roman Libra = 327 grams]
SIZE – LIFT DIMENSION
• Generally speaking, the lift doors should be at least 800-900mm wide to allow passengers easy access, and an
area of 900mm square should be allowed for clearance on each level outside the lift doors.
• The smallest size is 1000mm x 1250mm and can support a load of up to 450kg.
• The largest Maxilift is 2000mm x 1400mm and can take up to 1200kg in weight.
• The Xtralift range is for more demanding applications and is designed to cope with 17-33 people.
• The sizes range from 1950mm x 1400mm to a relatively huge 1800mm x 2700mm.
• To determine the average number of passengers the lift will need to transport and what speed it should travel at
and this will help a great deal in choosing the correct size passenger lift.
• The size of an elevator depends upon its rated carrying capacity, which is determined by the net inside area
according to the requirements of the national elevator code, ANSI A17.1.
• Consider the use of the elevator when selecting a size.
• Office and residential elevators are designed to carry people and have a shape that is wider than it is deep.
• This helps keep passengers near the doors and reduces transfer time.
• Healthcare facilities usually require this same passenger shape for moving pedestrian traffic, but also need larger
cars for moving patients and equipment.
SIZE – LIFT DIMENSION
• In larger commercial or residential buildings, elevators may also need to accommodate frequent moving of
materials, such as furniture, building materials, etc.
• In this case, at least one elevator should be larger, similar to a hospital elevator in shape and size.
• Minimum car depth is 51 inches and minimum car width is either 68 or 80 inches depending on door type.
• Trends over the past 20 years have been towards larger car sizes. Office buildings commonly now have
elevators with capacities of 3,500 pounds to allow for more passenger room and comfort.
• Residential buildings typically have a minimum capacity of 2,500 pounds and may have larger cars in buildings
with more expensive units.
• Healthcare facilities now require elevators with a capacity of 6,000 pounds in order to accommodate a patient
with accompanying staff and monitoring equipment.
BASIC TERMINOLOGY OF LIFTS
BASIC TERMINOLOGY OF LIFTS
LIFT CONSTRUCTION

ELEVATOR SHAFT
• It contain building components necessary for the operation of elevator.
• Its dimension depends upon elevator model, door design and type of drive.
• They must have ventilation and smoke extracting openings.
• The cross section of these openings is generally 2.5% of the shaft floor area, with minimum cross section
stipulated as 0.1m.sq.

SHAFT PIT
• The bottom end of the shaft is called pit.
• The depth of the pit is measured from the top edge of the finished floor at the lowest elevator stop to the top
edge of the finished floor of the pit floor.
• The minimum depth of pit is determined by: space required for construction over run and safety space
stipulated by regulations.
• The pit sits directly on the foundation.
LIFT CONSTRUCTION
• Shaft pits that are 1 to 2.5m deep must be equipped with a removable access
ladder.
• Pits with a depth greater than 2.5m must have a secure access door to a
building floor
SHAFT HEAD
• It is the upper section of the shaft, measured from the top edge of the
finished floor at the uppermost stop to the bottom edge of the shaft ceiling.

SHAFT ACCESS
• The size of the shaft access points is determined by the door design, while
their location is defined by shaft symmetry.

MACHINE ROOM
• Depending upon the type of drive machine room is located either at the top
above the shaft or at the bottom next to it.
LIFT CONSTRUCTION

ELEVATOR CARS

• In addition to doors, the size of the elevator shaft is also

largely determined by dimensions of elevator car.
• All elevator cars must be well lit, with grid independent
safety lights which are battery operated
• Passenger and freight elevator cars must be ventilated.
• Air intake and exhaust openings must be placed to ensure
sufficient diagonal and cross ventilation
TYPES OF ELEVATORS/LIFT

DIRECT ACTING HYDRAULIC LIFT

HYDRAULIC LIFT

SUSPENDED HYDRAULIC LIFT

GEARED TRACTION ELEVATOR

MACHINE ROOM (MR) TRACTION ELEVATOR
GEARLESS TRACTION ELEVATOR

TRACTION LIFT

MACHINE ROOM-LESS (MRL) TRACTION ELEVATOR

https://youtu.be/jF6JS4qwBt0
https://youtu.be/9m2Iodm7f7k?si=fnX2s_1ZPI7yjpoV
HYDRAULIC LIFTS

➢ Heavy Loads > 2000kg

➢ Low travel < 18 metres
➢ Temperature stable environments
➢ Slow travel speeds max 1 m/sec
➢ Life expectancy < 20 years
➢ Some Machine room less versions

APPLICATIONS OF HYDRAULIC LIFT

1. Wheel chair lift,

2. Industrial hydraulic applications,
3. Material handling - Truck trailers.
HYDRAULIC LIFTS

DIRECT ACTING HYDRAULIC LIFT

➢ When fluid under pressure is forced into the cylinder, the ram gets a push upward.
➢ The platform carries loads or passengers and moves between the guides.
➢ At required height, it can be made to stay in level with each floor so that the good
or passengers can be transferred.
➢ In direct acting hydraulic lift, stroke of the ram is equal to the lift of the cage.

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
▪ Fixed cylinder: It is fixed with the wall of the floor, where the sliding ram
reciprocate when we apply the pressure.
▪ Cage: It is fitted on the top of the sliding ram where the load is placed (i.e.
lifted load).
▪ Sliding ram: It is fitted in the fixed cylinder which is reciprocate (upward or
downward direction) when we applied the pressure (i.e. reaches the floor
wise.)
HYDRAULIC LIFTS

SUSPENDED HYDRAULIC LIFT

➢ When fluid under pressure is forced into the cylinder, the ram
gets reciprocate to the movable pulleys.
➢ With the help of arrangement of hydraulic jigger; pulley can
rotates; with the help of wire rope the cage is maintain there
pressure force with there floor.
➢ At required height, it can be made to stay in level with each floor
so that the good or passengers can be transferred.
➢ Working period of the lift is ratio of the height of lift to the
velocity of lift.
➢ Idle period of lift is the difference of the total time for one
operation and the working period of the lift.
HYDRAULIC LIFTS

SUSPENDED HYDRAULIC LIFT

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
▪ Cage: It is fitted on the top of the sliding ram where the load is placed (i.e.
lifted load).
▪ Wire rope: It connects the cage to pulley.
▪ Sliding ram: It is fitted in the fixed cylinder which is reciprocate (upward or
downward direction) when we applied the pressure (i.e. reaches the floor
wise)
▪ Pulleys: pulleys are connected to the sliding ram and fixed cylinder; where
one pulley is fixed and other pulley is movable.
▪ Hydraulic jigger: It consists of a moving ram which slides inside a fixed
hydraulic cylinder.
▪ Fixed cylinder-: It is fixed with the wall of the floor, where the sliding ram
reciprocate when we apply the pressure.
HYDRAULIC LIFTS - ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

▪ A Hydraulic elevator has a single plunger jack ▪ The elevator performance becomes unpredictable as
installed directly under the elevator car. the oil in the system varies in temperature.
▪ Lower initial expenses in equipment and Temperature will rise in installations due to potential
maintenance. heavy usage.
▪ Take up a substantial lower amount of space in a ▪ The underground pressure system of the hydraulic
building. elevator cannot be accessed for visual safety and
▪ Hydraulic elevators don’t enforce vertical loads on leakage inspections.
the building structure meaning that the columns ▪ If leakage occurs in the underground system it may very
can be significantly reduced in the shaftway area. well result in oil being injected into the ground
▪ Hydraulic elevators have only one mechanical surrounding, causing possible pollution of a public
connection between the machine room and the water supply.
shaftway referred to as a pipe and conduit. This ▪ The hydraulic elevators don’t have a safety device to
allows for more flexibility in the machine room. prevent it from falling so it solely depends on the
▪ More effective for high load capacity pressure in the system to maintain its position in the
requirements. The hydraulic elevator allows for shaftway.
much greater lifting forces with higher mechanical ▪ Unknown costs of installation and maintenance are the
efficiency and with a lower cost. greatest concern with the Hydraulic elevator system.
TRACTION ELECTRIC LIFTS

➢ Traction elevators move using a system of steel ropes or belts

driven by alternating (AC) or direct current (DC) electric motors.
➢ This configuration enables them to move faster than hydraulic
elevators.
➢ They can also travel longer vertical distances, making them ideal
for mid-rise, high-rise, and even ultra-high rise buildings.
➢ Traction Elevators are lift systems that use an electric hoisting
machine and hoisting cables to raise and lower the elevator car
vertically along guide rails.
➢ Traction Elevators require a penthouse machine room to store
the mechanical equipment and a counterweight to balance the
load placed on the machinery by the car and passengers.
➢ Traction Elevators come in two types, geared and gear-less, that
differ based on if a gearbox is attached to the motor.
TRACTION ELECTRIC LIFTS

GEARED TRACTION ELEVATORS

➢ Geared traction elevators are unique with their simple structure and
mature technology and are an excellent fit for freight and low-speed
elevators usually propelled by an AC or DC electric motor.
➢ They also have gears between their electric motor and sheave, which drives
the pulley and moves the steel ropes or flat steel belts.
➢ The geared model has a peak speed of 500 ft./min and can carry loads as
high as 13,000 kg.
➢ Geared elevators have a slower speed than gearless ones, they require less
powerful electric motors to drive the sheave and stand out for their
average initial investment cost, maintenance cost and energy consumption.
➢ There are concerns about low motor efficiency, large volume, low
transmission efficiency, high energy consumption, high noise, and poor
ride comfort.
TRACTION ELECTRIC LIFTS

GEARLESS TRACTION ELEVATOR

➢ 80% of the traction elevators on the market are gearless, making them
the most widely used.
➢ For mid to high-rise building gearless models are installed because they
can operate at very high speeds, gearless elevators have their electric
motor directly connected to the sheave.
➢ The gearless model is usually driven by a synchronous motor and has a
simple structure, reliable operation, small size, lightweight, high
efficiency, low speed and high torque, which can reach between 2,000 to
4,000 ft./min.
➢ A gearless elevator has high initial investment and moderate maintenance
costs and is more energy efficient than the geared model.
➢ Therefore, they may be excellent for your tall and ultra-high buildings if
you prioritize speed and energy efficiency.
TRACTION ELECTRIC LIFTS
TRACTION ELECTRIC LIFTS

MACHINE ROOM-LESS (MRL) TRACTION ELEVATOR

➢ To save space in your low to mid-rise building, MRL traction
elevator are the best.
➢ MRL elevators do not require a machine room, thus save
considerable space in the building where the elevator is
installed. They also have speeds similar to the gearless
model.
➢ The MRL model reduce initial investment cost and installation
time because the electric motors are mostly placed inside the
elevator shaft.
➢ MRL elevators are energy efficient and do not use oil or
lubricants, thus eliminating contamination and potential fire
risks.
➢ MRL traction elevators are louder in operation than elevators
with machine rooms.
TRACTION ELECTRIC LIFTS
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

▪ Higher speeds ▪ Higher installation cost

▪ Greater rise ▪ Longer installation
▪ Smoother ride quality ▪ Significant loads on top of the structure
▪ With the technological breakout in 1996 ▪ Penthouse requirements
of the Permanent Magnet Synchronous ▪ Obtaining the spare parts can be a nightmare since
Motor (PMSM) servicing may only be performed by the original installer
▪ Saves energy, eliminates the traditional or by their service partners
machine room ▪ A short circuit to the motor or fire can result in entrapped
▪ Mechanics with superior control passengers in the elevator. The fire itself might not be
deadly but rather the smoke within the shaft
▪ The Hoisting process is visible and under
▪ Temperature and humidity conditions inside the shaft
control
may be tragic and can easily affect the electronic
components which might cause more frequent break-
downs
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS

1. Passenger Elevator
2. Hospital Elevator
3. Freight Elevator
4. Institutional Elevator
5. Escalators
6. Sightseeing Elevator
7. Home Elevator
8. Vehicle Elevator
9. Ship Elevator
10. Construction Elevator
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS

PASSENGER ELEVATOR

➢ Passenger elevators are the kind you find in office buildings, hotels,
and other public places.
➢ It is a type of elevator that carries people between floors.
➢ It is the most common type of lift in the world, and also known as
residential elevators, departmental lifts, or simply as lifts or, more
colloquially, as elevators.
➢ Passenger elevators are usually made up of two cabins — one for
passengers and one for freight — and can carry up to 25 people,
depending on the model.
➢ Passenger elevators typically travel at speeds of approximately 0.5
to 1 meter per second (1-2 mph), with stops every 20 meters.
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS
HOSPITAL ELEVATOR
➢ Used in hospital & treatment center, for transporting large carts or
furniture.
➢ Speed of elevator 100 – 350 ft/ min.
➢ Two sides of front and back doors for loading and unloading
facilities with door width between 900 – 1100mm.
➢ The design of hospital elevators varies depending on their purpose
and use.
➢ Hospital elevator may be used to transport patients from rooms to
the operating room, between building floors etc..
➢ Patients who need to be moved from their rooms to the operating
room must be able to lie flat in the hospital elevator.
➢ These types of elevators must accommodate beds with wheels
attached to them so they can move easily around corners and down
hallways without bumping into walls or other obstacles.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS
HOSPITAL ELEVATOR
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS
FREIGHT ELEVATOR
➢ The design of the freight elevator can accommodate
oversized loads, such as furniture or construction
materials.
➢ Freight elevators are generally require a written notice in
the car that the use by passengers is prohibited (though
not necessarily illegal), though certain freight elevators
allow dual use, sometimes through the use of an
inconspicuous riser.
➢ Freight elevators are typically larger and capable of
carrying heavier loads than a passenger elevator,
generally from 2,300 to 4,500 kg capacity.
➢ Freight elevators may have manually operated doors, and often have rugged interior finishes cab (which called
enclosure[1]) to prevent damage while loading and unloading.
➢ Both traction and hydraulic freight elevators exist.
➢ These elevators are specially constructed to withstand the rigors of heavy loads.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS
CLASSES OF FREIGHT ELEVATOR
Class C1: Industrial Truck Loading
Class A: General Freight Loading
Class B: Motor Vehicle Loading A four-wheeled vehicle may be used to
Freight elevator with this class has the
Freight elevator with this class is load and unload in the elevator with this
load distributed, the weight of any single
used solely to carry automobile class. The combined weight of the
piece is not more than 1/4 the capacity
trucks or passenger automobiles vehicle and the load cannot exceed the
of the elevator and the load is handled
up to the rated capacity of the rated capacity and may be rolled onto
on and off the car platform manually or
elevator. the platform as a single unit.
by means of hand trucks.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS
CLASSES OF FREIGHT ELEVATOR
Class C2: Industrial Truck Loading
In this class, during loading and unloading, Class C3: Concentrated Loading
the maximum load on the platform may be Loading and unloading without a truck
up to 150% of the rated capacity. This or forklift, but the load increments
enables the user to use a forklift to load a exceed 1/4 of the rated capacity. The
car with freight weighing up to the rated carried load cannot exceed the rated
capacity. capacity
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS
ESCALATORS

➢ An escalator is a type of vertical transportation system in

the form of a moving staircase – a conveyor that carries
people between floors of a building.
➢ It consists of a motor-driven chain of individually linked
steps that move up or down on tracks, allowing the step
treads to remain horizontal.
➢ Escalators are used worldwide to move pedestrian traffic
where elevators are impractical.
➢ Principal usage areas include department stores,
shopping malls, airports, transit systems, convention
centers, hotels, and arenas.
➢ Escalators are more commonly used than moving
walkways when a prolonged continuous path is needed
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS
VEHICLE ELEVATOR
➢ A vehicle elevator is a device that moves vehicles vertically and
horizontally.
➢ A vehicle elevator can be a separate structure or an integral
part of the building—the most common elevator transports
cars and other vehicles between floors in parking garages.
➢ Vehicle elevators are also used in warehouses, factories, and
other commercial facilities to move vehicles between different
levels.
➢ Vehicle elevators are powered by electricity or hydraulics.
➢ Hydraulic lifts are less expensive than electric ones but require
more maintenance and have limited speed capabilities.
➢ Electric lifts can operate faster and at greater heights than
hydraulic lifts if they have enough power available from the
building’s electrical system.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS
HOME ELEVATOR

➢ A home elevator is a small, portable elevator

that can be installed in any residential building.
➢ Home elevators are typically used to access
floors within a building that are too high for
stairs, such as penthouse apartments or
basements.
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS
SHIP ELEVATOR

➢ A ship elevator is a type of marine cargo

elevator used to transport cargo from a
ship’s deck to the ship’s bottommost deck.
➢ A ship elevator is usually a large, horizontal
steel tray that sits over the side of a ship
and can be raised or lowered using ropes
and pulleys.
➢ The elevator is also connected to an
electric motor that can operate remotely
from inside the ship.
➢ The first use of a ship elevator was in 1852
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS
CONSTRUCTION ELEVATOR
➢ A construction elevator is a type of elevator used in construction
projects.
➢ It is also known as a scaffolding elevator or a lift.
➢ It is mainly used for building and construction purposes such as
transport, goods transportation and access to buildings or areas of
buildings that are under construction or repair.
➢ Construction elevators are mostly used for transporting heavy
materials like concrete blocks, bricks, sandbags and steel bars.
➢ Construction elevators are usually used in buildings that have multiple
stories. They can also be used for buildings that have been damaged
due to an earthquake or hurricane.
➢ The construction elevator allows people to access the upper floors of
the building without having to climb stairs or use ladders.
➢ This can be very useful in an emergency where people need to move
quickly from one floor to another.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS
SCENIC ELEVATORS
➢ Scenic elevators also called glass elevators are getting popular.
➢ They loosen rigour of architecture and give passengers a
visually stimulating ride between floors.
➢ This type of elevators are suitable for luxurious buildings. It
increases the passenger sense of security.
➢ If the technical components are to be hidden, the scenic
elevator consist of entrance area and a viewing area.
➢ The entrance area is surrounded by an enclosed shaft that
contains necessary elevator technology.
➢ The car is also enclosed in this area.
➢ The car walls must be constructed with laminated glass with
EN 81.
➢ Depending on architecture , opaque sheet metal doors can be
replaced with translucent glass doors in scenic elevators
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEVATORS

DUMBWAITER - Dumbwaiters are small freight elevators that are intended to carry food rather than passengers.
They often link kitchens with rooms on other floors.

PATERNOSTER - A special type of elevator is the paternoster, a constantly moving chain of boxes.
A similar concept, called the manlift or humanlift, moves only a small platform, which the rider mounts while
using a handhold and was once seen in multistory industrial plants.

SCISSOR LIFT - The scissor lift is yet another type of lift. As most of these lifts are self-contained, these lifts can be
easily moved to where they are needed.

RACK-AND-PINION LIFT - The rack-and-pinion lift is another type of lift. These lifts are powered by a motor driving
a pinion gear. Because they can be installed on a building or structure's exterior and there is no machine room or
hoistway required, they are the most used type of lift for buildings under construction
SERVICE REQUIREMENTS OF ELEVATORS

Two basic considerations:

Quantity of service required – handling capacity of lift
Quality of service desired – waiting time of passenger

Factors that determine the number of lifts and its capacity in a building:
➢ Number of floors to be served by the lift
➢ Floor to floor distance
➢ Population of each floor to be served
➢ Maximum peak demand
PRILIMINARY LIFT PLANNING

Population
5 sq.m/person (usually assumed)
Quantity of service
Measured in terms of total no. of passengers handled during each 5 min peak period of the day.
Type of building Handling capacity

Office – diversified 10 -15%

tenants
Office – single tenant 15-25%

Residential 7.5%
Traffic Peaks
Max. traffic flow during the up peak period is usually used as a measure of the vertical transportation requirement
in an office building
Capacity
Min. size for a single purpose building – 884kg
PRILIMINARY LIFT PLANNING

Quality of service
Measured by passenger waiting time at various floors

Quality of service or Acceptable interval

20 -25 sec Excellent
30 – 35 sec Good
34-40 sec Fair
45 sec Poor
Over 45 sec Unsatisfactory

Speed
No.of floors Speed
4-5 0.5 – 0.75m/s
6 – 12 0.75 – 1.5 m/s
3 - 20 1.5 – 2.5 m/s
Above 20 2.5m/s and above
PRILIMINARY LIFT PLANNING
Handling capacity is calculated by
H = (300 X Q X 100) / (T X P)
H= Handling capacity as the percentage of the peak population handled during 5min period
T = Waiting interval in seconds
P = Total population to be handled during peak morning period
Q = Average no. of passengers carried in a car (depends on the dimensions of the car, Q is taken as 80% of
maximum carrying capacity of car)
Waiting interval
T = RTT/ N
T = Waiting interval in seconds
N = Number of lifts
RTT = Round trip time, avg. time required by each lift in taking one full load of passengers from ground floor,
discharge them in various upper floors and coming back to ground floor for taking fresh passengers for the next
trip
PRILIMINARY LIFT PLANNING
Round Trip Time
RTT is the sum of the time required in the following process:
i. Entry of passenger on the ground floor
ii. Exit of passenger on each floor of discharge
iii. Door closing time
iv. Door opening time
v. Acceleration period
vi. Stopping and levelling periods
vii. Periods of full rated speeds between stops going up
viii. Periods of full rated speeds between stops going down

H = (300 X Q X 100) / (T X P)

T = RTT/ N

Handling capacity (H) – inversely proportional to waiting interval (T) which in turn is proportional to RTT
Reducing RTT – increases Handling capacity