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The shaft, the pit, the height of the top floor, the space for the door, and the location of the control cabinet are some of the aspects that must be studied before starting an installation.
Installing an elevator in an existing building can significantly improve its accessibility, comfort, and functionality , but before starting any work, it is necessary to check if the available space allows for a suitable solution.
The available space, pit depth, top floor height, and the space required for specific components can all influence the project. For this reason, Salleras Elevación y Movilidad has compiled five key factors to consider during the preliminary study of an installation on its blog.
How much space does an elevator need?
One of the first issues to analyze is the available shaft for the elevator . As a reference, Salleras Elevación proposes one of its standard configurations with a shaft approximately 1.400 millimeters wide by 1.500 millimeters deep , which allows for a cabin approximately 1.050 x 1.200 millimeters and a door 800 millimeters wide.
The company notes, however, that these dimensions do not constitute a universal minimum , as the solution may vary depending on the building, the elevator model, and the space distribution.
The pit: 300 millimeters in a reference configuration
Another element that must be studied is the pit , located below the level of the lower stop.
In the configuration used as a reference by Salleras, a 300-millimeter pit is considered . This dimension is especially relevant in existing buildings, where the possibilities for carrying out construction work may be limited.
Specifically, the possibility of working with reduced pits can facilitate certain rehabilitation and accessibility improvement projects.
2.600 millimeters of free height on the top floor
It is also necessary to check the space between the last stop and the ceiling of the shaft.
For the equipment used as a reference in the Salleras Elevación article, the manufacturer specifies a minimum clearance height of 2.600 millimeters . Insufficient clearance may necessitate modifications to the initially planned solution, so it is recommended to verify this measurement from the early stages of the project.
The door also needs space.
The door opening is another element that determines the layout.
Salleras Elevación recommends a clear opening of 800 millimeters to facilitate accessibility when project characteristics allow it. However, the space required to install the door is greater than its opening width.
In the configurations analyzed by the company, an automatic door requires approximately 1.400 millimeters of free space , while a manual door needs about 1.100 millimeters.
The choice will depend on the characteristics of the building, the available space, and accessibility needs.
The control cabinet also needs its space
The last aspect that Salleras Elevación covers is the space allocated to the control cabinet , which contains the equipment necessary for the operation of the elevator.
In the reference solution, the cabinet has approximate dimensions of 1.615 millimeters high, 650 millimeters wide, and 350 millimeters deep . Furthermore, sufficient space must be provided for access and maintenance.
Therefore, its location should be considered during the project phase and not left until the end of the installation.
There is no one measurement that is valid for all buildings
Although these five references give an idea of the space that an installation may require, each building has different characteristics.
The position of the staircase, the structure of the building, the common areas, the type of door, the necessary dimensions of the cabin or the characteristics of the equipment can modify the approach.
Salleras Elevación y Movilidad therefore emphasizes the importance of conducting a prior technical study of the available space , especially when dealing with existing buildings.
The company works with homeowners associations, property managers, architects, technicians and individuals, both in new installations and in accessibility improvement projects.
You can read the full article on the Salleras Elevación blog.
