Different Types of Lifts and Elevators for Commercial Buildings

Elevators aren’t a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. You may not realize it, but there are different types of elevators designed with specific purposes. True, all elevators broadly have the same goal of transporting people and/or items up or down between a building’s floors, but it’s important to know what your building has. After all, you don’t want to make the mistake of thinking that a passenger elevator is designed to carry a forklift.

Here’s a general rundown of the four main types of elevators and what they’re meant for so you will know what kind of elevator your building should install.

Passenger Elevator

A passenger elevator is, as the name implies, an elevator intended for transporting people through a building. Naturally, this is the type of elevator that most people think of, as it’s the kind they’re most familiar riding in. These elevators can vary drastically in terms of size, speed, and interior options depending on the use of the elevator, but generally tend to be slightly wider than they are deep to accommodate passengers better. They also can accommodate anywhere between 2,000-4,000 lbs, depending on whether they’re made for low-rise, mid-rise, or high-rise buildings. The standard dimensions for these elevators normally range from three feet by four feet to five feet by eight feet.

Unlike the other types of elevators, passenger elevators also often put as much stock into aesthetics as they do practicality. They might feature such design choices as mirrored walls and doors, they might be entirely made of glass, or they could feature wood paneling to match the interiors of the rest of the building. What matters is that passengers feel just as comfortable in the elevator as they do anywhere else in the building.

Service Elevator

Found in many commercial buildings and hotels, a service elevator is intended for the transport of goods through the buildings by employees. A good example of this is a housekeeping staff moving cleaning carts from floor to floor through a hotel, or hospital staff transporting patients on gurneys. To accommodate the equipment, these elevators can often carry up to 5,000 lbs between floors. The most common service elevators have dimensions of six feet by eight feet and ten feet.

Service elevators are typically larger and deeper than standard passenger elevators to fit bulky equipment while still giving the staff enough room to maneuver. Most often, service elevators are found in employee-only sections of a building and are not available for public use. This is so that staff can move around without disturbing hotel guests and so they can move equipment around unimpeded.

Freight Elevator

Freight elevators are designed to move exceptionally heavy loads, such as cars or cargo in industrial buildings. These elevators are not intended for passenger transport and are designed to withstand tougher working conditions. Popular dimensions of these elevators fall between six and eight feet by six feet. 

Typically, freight elevators are designed with the intention of carrying up to 100,000 lbs. To accommodate this, they are made with heavy steel walls and floors to withstand the massive weight of their cargo. However, they also generally move slower than passenger or service elevators. They also often have doors that open vertically, as opposed to the traditional horizontal doors that passenger and service elevators use.

Dumbwaiter

The smallest type of elevator, a dumbwaiter, is essentially a small freight elevator. It is often used for the transport of food in restaurants, however, they can be found in commercial, public and private buildings alike. These elevators are too small to carry human passengers, with dimensions of three feet by four feet and ranging between 75 lbs and 500 lbs maximum. However, they are perfect for sending meals between floors without fear of spillage or broken glasses and plates. 

 Types of Elevator Hoist Systems

An elevator hoist system refers to the mechanics that allow the elevator to move between floors. Usually, hoist systems include cables, pulleys, and a counterweight, which move the car up and down the elevator shaft. There are four different elevator hoist systems: traction elevators, hydraulic elevators, machine room-less elevators (MRL), and machine room elevators (MR).

Traction Elevator

A traction elevator uses a pulley system such as steel ropes or belts and a counterweight to move the elevator cabin up and down. These systems are often more energy-efficient than hydraulic elevators and provide a smoother ride for passengers.

Hydraulic Elevator

Hydraulic elevators use a lot of energy and are most commonly used to transport heavy loads. You’ll only find these systems in low-rise buildings (up to six stories high).

Machine Room-Less (MRL) Elevators

MRL-system elevators can be either traction or hydraulic. However, they do not require a machine room to operate the lift, so it is directly located in the elevator hoistway. This helps save space in the building.

 Machine Room (MR) Elevators

MR-system elevators are also either traction or hydraulic. The machine room is located above or below the hoistway.

How to Decide Between The Different Types of Elevators

With several different elevator options to choose from, it can be challenging to determine which system is the best for your building. Enlist the help of Buckley Elevator, where we will help you determine which type of elevator is the best choice based on your needs.