A car interior finished in brushed or mirror-polished stainless steel panels for durability and aesthetic appeal.
Full Definition
An elevator stainless steel cabin is an elevator car interior in which the wall panels, car door panels, return panels, and ceiling frame are clad in stainless steel sheet — typically Type 304 (EN 1.4301) or Type 316 (EN 1.4401) for corrosive or coastal environments — with surface finishes ranging from No. 4 brushed (directional satin) to BA (bright annealed mirror) or embossed patterns for anti-fingerprint properties. Stainless steel cabins are the industry standard for high-traffic commercial, hospital, hotel, and transit applications due to their resistance to impact, graffiti, chemical cleaning agents, and moisture. The panels are typically 1.0–1.5 mm thick, press-formed and backed with a rigid substrate (rockwool acoustic panel or aluminium honeycomb) to prevent resonance and oil-canning. Corners and reveals are mitred or fitted with polished aluminium extrusions. Car floor options include porcelain tile, granite, vinyl, or stainless steel tread plate on a structural sub-floor. EN 81-20 clause 5.4.2 requires that cabin walls withstand a horizontal point load of 300 N without permanent deformation. Fire-rated cabin panels — for firefighting elevators per EN 81-72 — must achieve EI 30 or EI 60 wall performance; stainless steel combined with calcium silicate or mineral wool backing satisfies these requirements. LED indirect lighting integrated into the ceiling cornice is the current best practice for even, glare-free illumination exceeding 100 lux at floor level.
