What Type of Elevator Do You Need
What Type of Elevator Do You Need?
Something that it is important for property owners to understand is that there are many different types and classes of elevators that are recommended for certain buildings, as well as the size/types of loads that they will be carrying. For example, taller buildings require cable elevators, otherwise known as traction elevators. Whereas, smaller elevators with five or less stories will usually require a hydraulic elevator.
Passenger Elevators:
Passengers elevators were designed and created to carry passengers. Passenger elevators can be made in a variety of sizes and speeds. The largest passenger can hold up to 10,000 pounds, but most carry between 2,500 and 5,000 pounds. Some passenger elevators are specially designed with the space to accommodate stretchers for emergency services. These elevators can be either hydraulic and traction and they can also be machine room-less, which happens to be a special type of traction elevator.
Freight Elevators:
This type of elevator is a heavy duty lift that is designed to haul material. These elevators have vertical opening bi-part freight doors while some older freight elevators still have manual wooden gates. These elevators are made to lift an extensive amount of weight and can carry 20,000 pounds or more! Freights can be customized to fit the building you own and the carrying capacity can also be adjusted.
Service Elevators:
A lot of people tend to get freight and service elevators confused. Yet, there is a big difference. Service elevators are just regular passenger elevators that have been outfitted with utility floors and cabs. They’re also typically found in an “employee only” part of a building. A common example is an elevator that is used only by housekeeping in hotels. One way to tell a service and freight elevator apart is by the way that the doors open. Freight elevators have bi-parting doors, while a service elevator has the typical normal sliding doors. There are cases where service elevators can be classified and rated for freight loading, but that is an exception, not the rule.
MRL Elevators:
One of the newest and latest innovations in the elevator arena are the MRL elevators, or machine room-less elevators. Most MRL elevators are actually traction passenger elevators. This type of elevator utilizes a small machine with a motor at the top of the elevator shaft, in order to move the unit with cables. By taking away the machine room required by most elevators, you’re given more space to plan for. Due to the compact nature of MRL’s they can only be used in buildings with 20 stories or less and can hold up to 5,000 pounds.
Commercial Elevators vs Residential Elevators:
Residential elevators are typically designed for single family residences. Yet, if an elevator serves more than one resident, or if it’s in any other building (office, church, school), it has to be a commercial elevator. There also happens to be a less expensive commercial elevator called LULA. LULA stands for “Limited Use Limited Application.” These commercial elevators are designed for low volume usage in buildings that need handicap accessibility. Small Condominiums and churches are common buildings for LULAs. Furthermore, residential elevators can typically carry up to 750 pounds of weight.
Dumbwaiters:
In residential hotels, restaurants and even homes, dumbwaiters can be very practical. These elevators can be installed in a small area in order to move food, laundry, and packages quickly.
All in all, you have many options to choose from when choosing an elevator for your building. This article should be able to give you a helping hand with the elevator process. Make sure to keep in mind the carrying capacity of the elevator and what type of elevator could work best with your situation.