Steel T-section tracks fixed inside the hoistway that keep the elevator car and counterweight travelling in a straight, controlled path.
Full Definition
Guide rails are precision-machined steel sections — most commonly T-profile — bolted to rail brackets anchored in the hoistway walls or structural steelwork at defined intervals. They serve three roles: aligning the car and counterweight during travel, resisting lateral forces during seismic events or eccentric loading, and providing the clamping surface for the safety gear. Rail joints must be machined to tight tolerances to minimise vibration. EN 81-20 §5.7 and ISO 7465 cover dimensions, straightness, and fixing loads.
