The multidisciplinary engineering process of planning a vertical transportation system, covering traffic analysis, shaft sizing, drive selection, safety systems, and accessibility compliance.
Full Definition
Elevator design is the engineering discipline covering the specification and dimensioning of a complete vertical transportation system. Key stages: (1) Traffic analysis — calculating peak demand, handling capacity, and interval using CIBSE Guide D or EN 81-20 methods; (2) Shaft and pit design — headroom (EN 81-20: ≥1,000 mm overhead), pit depth, and structural loads; (3) Drive system selection — traction MRL, traction with machine room, or hydraulic, based on travel height, capacity, and energy class (EN ISO 25745); (4) Safety system design — overspeed governor, buffers, door safety devices per EN 81-20/50; (5) Accessibility compliance — EN 81-70 requirements including minimum cabin size 1,100 × 1,400 mm, door width ≥800 mm, braille, and tactile indicators.
