A passenger elevator is a long-term buy. It runs every day for 20 years or more. This short guide lists the points to check before you order one for a home, office, hotel, hospital or apartment building.
1. Capacity: how many people
Capacity is set by the number of persons the car must carry at one time. In India, about 68 kg is taken per person. Common sizes are:
- 4 persons (272 kg): bungalows and small homes
- 6 to 8 persons (408 to 544 kg): apartments and small offices
- 10 to 13 persons (680 to 884 kg): hotels, malls and large offices
- Stretcher or bed lift: hospitals and nursing homes
2. Speed: how fast
Speed depends on the number of floors. For a building up to G+4, 0.5 to 1.0 m/s is enough. Taller buildings need 1.0 to 1.75 m/s, so people do not wait long at each floor.
3. Drive type: traction or hydraulic
- Machine room-less (MRL) traction: no machine room on the roof, low power use, the most common choice for new buildings.
- Traction with machine room: good for heavy daily use and high-rise buildings.
- Hydraulic: best for low-rise homes (2 to 4 stops) where there is no space for a deep pit or headroom.
4. Safety parts you must have
- Overspeed governor and safety gear that stop the car if it moves too fast
- Automatic rescue device (ARD) that brings the car to the nearest floor in a power cut
- Door sensor (light curtain) so doors do not close on people
- Overload warning, emergency alarm and intercom
- Car lighting and fan on battery backup
5. Cabin, doors and finish
Stainless steel (hairline or mirror) cabins are easy to clean and last long. Automatic centre-opening doors are faster and safer than manual swing doors. Choose the finish to match the building, but keep cost on safety first.
6. Space, power and approvals
Ask your lift supplier for the shaft size, pit depth and top clearance before the building design is frozen. Plan a 3-phase power supply. Check local building rules for lift approval and yearly inspection.
7. Service after installation
A lift is only as safe as its maintenance. Take an annual maintenance contract (AMC) with monthly checks and a fixed breakdown response time.
Liftmate India designs, makes and installs passenger elevators, home lifts and goods lifts to your building size. Contact us for a site visit and quote.
Related: Home elevator in a villa: planning space, pit and power
FAQs on Choosing a Passenger Elevator
How many people should a passenger elevator carry?
Match the cabin to peak use. A villa often needs a 4-person car. Apartments and small offices use 6 to 8 persons. Hotels and large offices need 10 or more. Your lift designer checks the traffic before fixing the size.
Is an MRL lift better than a lift with a machine room?
For most new low and mid-rise buildings, an MRL lift saves roof space and keeps the design clean. A machine room still suits very heavy daily use. Read our guide on MRL vs machine room lift.
Which safety systems matter most in a passenger lift?
An automatic rescue device, an overspeed governor with safety gear, a door light curtain, overload warning, alarm and intercom. Together they keep passengers safe in a power cut or fault.
When should we plan the lift in a new building?
At the design stage, before the structure is frozen. Shaft size, pit depth, top clearance and power supply are much easier to plan on drawings than to change on site.
Planning a lift for a villa, hotel, hospital or office? Liftmate brings design-led planning, white-glove installation and dedicated care. Request a private design consultation at info@liftmate.in.
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