The structural steel brackets bolted to the hoistway walls or building structure at regular vertical intervals that support and fix the guide rails in position, transmitting car and counterweight guide forces into the building structure.
Full Definition
Guide rail brackets (also called rail fixings, fishplates brackets, or guide rail supports) are the primary mechanical interface between the elevator guide rails and the building structure. Key aspects: (1) Spacing — EN 81-20 permits maximum bracket spacing of 2.5 m for standard installations; closer spacing is required where seismic design governs or where car speed exceeds 1 m/s; (2) Types — wall brackets (bolted into concrete or masonry), beam brackets (welded to structural steel), and adjustable brackets with slotted holes for alignment during installation; (3) Alignment function — brackets are shimmed and adjusted during installation to achieve guide rail straightness tolerances: EN 81-20 requires guide rail face deviation ≤1 mm per 5 m length and ≤3 mm over the full travel; (4) Structural load — brackets must transfer lateral forces from guide shoes (from car and counterweight lateral loads, safety gear arrest forces, and seismic forces) to the building structure; (5) Fixings — bolted connections with anti-loosening provisions (lock nuts, spring washers) are required; anchor bolts in concrete must be tested per EN 1504 or equivalent. Bracket installation is a critical task requiring precise positioning before guide rail alignment.
