Why do I need a freight elevator in a residential building? According to one definition, an elevator is a lifting mechanism that moves people, as well as their luggage, on fixed rails located in a residential building. With the help of such equipment it is possible not only to raise or lower the residents of the house, but also to easily transport heavy things or even furniture.
Today, freight elevators are installed in almost every multi-storey building and at all large enterprises. Their goal is to facilitate the work of loaders, therefore it is customary to install such elevators in hotels, hospitals and other multi-storey buildings.
In this article we will consider what types of elevators are, how their speed is determined, find out the dimensions of a freight elevator in a residential building and what requirements they must meet.
Elevator classification
Based on existing standards, elevators are divided into:
- freight with a lift;
- sick leave;
- Passenger
- freight without elevator (whose carrying capacity is up to 100 kg).
Passenger elevators are intended only for the transport of tenants with hand luggage. Such elevators can be seen in a multi-story hotel, the building of the Bolshoi Theater, a large shopping center and in educational institutions.
Hospital elevators are installed in clinics or hospitals. They serve to quickly transport the patient to the necessary department. In addition, the elderly, children (accompanied by adults) and visitors can use the elevator.
Freight elevators with a lifter carry out transportation of heavy luggage (furniture, building materials, etc.) only in the presence of workers. It is also possible to transport passengers if the bodies of the State Technical Supervision Authority have granted permission for these purposes (written or oral). Such elevators are installed directly inside the building for easy transportation of goods.
In freight elevators designed to transport goods, only baggage can be transported. Since such an elevator is less secure than a regular one, it is strictly forbidden to transport people in it. This elevator is driven by hardware control, which is located on the top floor of the building. The size of the freight elevator car in a residential building can be increased, but only within the established standards.
What does payload mean?
The lift capacity is the maximum allowable weight of the cargo (people, baggage) that is in the cab. In order for the freight elevator in a residential building not to be overloaded, it is important to consider not only the weight of people, but also the maximum weight of the transported equipment, wheelchairs and other things.
As a rule, the lifting capacity of an elevator is determined by the dimensions of the cargo, the number of people accompanying it, as well as how often transportation is carried out. With constant overload, a freight elevator in a residential building can quickly become unusable, and its repair will be delayed for a long time.
How is elevator speed determined
The speed of the elevator is the time during which it rises or falls from one floor to another. It is measured in meters per second. Depending on their purpose, elevators can differ not only in carrying capacity, but also in maximum speed. Freight elevators are:
- low-speed (1 m / s);
- high-speed (from 1 to 2 m / s);
- high-speed (from 2 to 4 m / s);
- high speed (more than 4 m / s).
Before choosing which elevator to install, you need to know what purpose it will fulfill, how it will affect people or cargo. For example, slow-moving and high-speed elevators are installed in hospitals, since high speed can adversely affect the well-being of sick and elderly people.
Elevator dimensions
The dimensions of the freight elevator in a residential building should not go beyond state standards. Otherwise, they must not be put into operation.
The dimensions of the freight elevator in a residential building must correspond to the following values:
- The standard height for each elevator should not exceed two meters. To accurately determine the height, it is necessary to take measurements from the ceiling itself (not counting the various decorations or partitions) to the floor.
- The width of the elevator is measured from one side wall to another. It does not take into account decoration elements, handrails and protective sheathing. The width for freight elevators in a residential building must be at least 1580 mm.
- Cabin length is perhaps the most important parameter for residents of the building. This indicator is taken into account when it is necessary to transport bulky goods - household appliances, furniture, etc. The minimum length of the elevator car is 1580 mm, the maximum is 2580 mm.

Also important indicators for residential buildings is the size of the elevator door. If the door is too narrow, there may be problems with the transportation of large cargo. Therefore, the standard door width must be at least 1100 mm and a height of about 2000 mm (depending on the type of elevator).
Prerequisites for installing the elevator
After installing the elevator, a special commission from the Gosgortekhnadzor must make sure that all safety conditions are met, you can start transporting people or goods. The following are two important requirements that each passenger or freight elevator in a residential building must meet:
- Within 5 minutes, 6% of the residents of the building must have time to evacuate from the upper floors to the lower.
- The waiting time for the elevator should not exceed 1 minute.
As noted above, elevator speed depends on many factors. There are a lot of options for stops and entrances to the freight elevator of a residential building. If we are talking about a hotel or office high-rise building, then the elevator should move much faster than in a hospital or clinic.
The waiting time for the elevator may depend on the wishes of the residents. If this is a residential building, then it should not exceed 90 seconds, and in administrative and industrial - 50-60 seconds.
Conclusion
In this article you can find several photos of freight elevators in a residential building. If you decide to expand the cabin for transportation, then the above are the parameters of acceptable sizes. We also found out the dimensions of the freight elevator in a residential building, what conditions it should meet.
It is also worth noting that a careful attitude to such equipment will affect its life. It is very important to observe safety precautions, because otherwise, various services may charge a fine to the owner of the building in which the elevator is installed.