Resources · For architects
Planning a lift: a guide for architects and engineers
We work with architects and structural engineers from the first sketch to commissioning. Use these starting references while drafting, and let us confirm the details for your project.
Starting references
Every lift is customised, so our engineers confirm these figures per project. They are useful for early layouts.
| Item | Hydraulic | Belt-driven traction |
|---|---|---|
| Pit depth | 150 to 300 mm | 400 mm |
| Headroom above top floor | From 2,400 mm | 2,700 to 3,000 mm |
| Machine room | None overhead. Small cabinet at ground level. | None overhead |
| Stops | Up to G+4 (five stops) | Taller buildings |
Car and shaft sizes. Use our lift sizing tool for an indicative shaft size, a scaled plan and a guide to the loads. For AutoCAD (DXF), PDF and BIM (IFC) drawings of your lift, request them from our design team and we reply by email.
Masonry or RCC shaft
- Walls of at least 230 mm solid brickwork, plastered smooth inside, or 150 mm RCC.
- Inner faces flush and plumb, with no beam offsets or projections.
- Ventilation at the top of the shaft as required by your local building rules.
Steel and glass shaft
Where the lift runs inside a stairwell void or an open atrium, HLA supplies a structural steel frame. Your structural consultant should check:
- The base slab can carry the loads at ground level or pit foundation.
- The tie-in brackets at each landing can be anchored into the slab edges to hold the frame against sideways movement.
Electrical supply
- Supply. A dedicated 230 V AC (±10%), single-phase, 50 Hz line ending at a 32 A double-pole isolator, within 2 m of the power unit or controller. A three-phase supply is an option.
- Protection. A double-pole MCB and a 30 mA RCCB, with dedicated neutral and earth.
- Earthing. A separate copper plate or chemical earth pit for the lift, with a resistance below 2 ohms. Neutral-to-earth voltage should be below 2 V AC, to protect the control electronics.
- Generator or inverter backup. Tell us at the design stage if the lift will run on a DG set or an inverter system, and we will confirm compatibility.
Talk to us
Not sure what fits your building?
Send your floors, travel and plan. Our engineers reply with what will work and a written quote.