Elevator | Lift Bank Layouts

Elevators, or lifts, should be specified and arranged around a series of design factors that include: occupancy type, speed and quantity of traffic, total vertical distance to be traveled, and the desired time and speed of travel. When deciding on an appropriate layout and location for your elevator banks, it is advised to locate lifts near the building’s primary entrance in relation to the main path of circulation, and to also remain easily accessed by every floor. Groups of elevators, or banks, are typically controlled by a single call button and operating system, but individual elevators may be designed to operate independently of the group in special circumstances.

When specifying an elevator system, consult the lift manufacturer for detailed recommendations for sizes, controls, layouts, and installation requirements. Likewise, consult appropriate building codes for structural and mechanical requirements for the elevator shafts, fire separations, ventilation, and soundproofing.

What are the factors to consider when planning an elevator layout?

On top of functionality, the important factors to consider when planning an elevator layout include: safety, quality, aesthetics, capacity (especially during peak times), and the environment of building type for which the elevator is to be installed.

How big is a common elevator?

A common residential elevator is usually 3’ wide by 4’ deep ( .91 x 1.22 m). In compliance with ADA standards, the depth should have a minimum of 51 inches (1.30 m), width of 68 inches (1.73 m), and door width of 36 inches (.91 m). The common elevator for office buildings are 6’ wide by 5’ deep (1.83 x 1.53 m). The doors of the elevator are typically 4’ wide (1.22 m).

Where should elevators be located in a floor plan?

The ultimate location of elevators is dependent on the building type. In many cases, the elevators are positioned near stairwells and in the center of buildings to create a core service or circulation area. In public or commercial buildings, the elevators are located in the lobbies next to stairways. The position of this form of vertical transportation should take into consideration its accessibility and distance to be traveled by occupants.


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Elevators Guides
Browse through our curated Elevators Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Elevators. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
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One | Single Lift Elevator Bank
Illustration of a standard One-Lift Elevator Car

Single car elevators are common lifts used in small to medium sized commercial applications. Best used for smaller structures, a single car elevator system can come in a variety of car sizes to meet desired human, furniture, and equipment loads. Single car elevator banks are generally used in buildings without high peak daily traffic or volume demands.

The dimensions and sizes listed here are for preliminary design layout planning only. For detailed sizing, capacities, and support requirements, consult directly with the manufacturer.

Drawings of Single-Lift Elevator sizes with dimensions and people for scale
Single car elevators are common lifts used in small to medium sized commercial applications. Best used for smaller structures, a single car elevator system can come in a variety of car sizes to meet desired loads in buildings without high peak daily traffic or volume demands.

Drawings of Single-Lift Elevator sizes with dimensions and people for scale
One | Single Lift Elevator Bank
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Small Car: 6’ x 5’ | 1.83 x 1.53 m
Medium Car:
7’ x 5’ | 2.14 x 1.53 m
Large Car:
7’ x 5’6” | 2.14 x 1.68 m
X-Large Car:
7’ x 6’2” | 2.14 x 1.88 m
X-Large Freight:
5’8” x 8’9” | 1.73 x 2.67

Drawings include:
One Lift Elevator plans, plans (people)

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Six Lift Elevator Bank
Dimensioned plan layout of a Six Lift Elevator Bank with two pairs of three lifts around a central waiting area

Six Lift Elevator Banks are medium to high capacity layouts used in buildings with large occupancy loads. Based on a range of conditions including the type of project, occupancy load, and desired wait times, Six Lift Elevator Banks should be used for offices with floor areas around 270,000 ft2 (25,084 m2), hotels with 450 rooms, and housing projects with 540 units.

Combining two rows of lifts around a central waiting area with a clearance width of 10’6” (3.2 m), or 1.75x car depth, Six Lift Elevator Banks have typical widths of 27’ (8.2 m) and depths of 27’ (8.2 m). Six Lift Elevator Banks have overall areas around 704 ft2 (65 m2).

Six Lift Elevator Banks are medium to high capacity layouts used in buildings with large occupancy loads. Based on a range of project specific conditions, Six Lift Elevator Banks should be used for offices with floor areas around 270,000 ft2 (25,084 m2), hotels with 450 rooms, or 540 housing units.

Combining two rows of lifts around a central waiting area with a clearance width of 10’6” (3.2 m), or 1.75x car depth, Six Lift Elevator Banks have typical widths of 27’ (8.2 m) and depths of 27’ (8.2 m). Six Lift Elevator Banks have overall areas around 704 ft2 (65 m2).

Six Lift Elevator Bank
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Cars | Lifts: 6
Width (Overall): 26’9” | 8.2 m
Depth (Overall): 26’4” | 8 m
Area (Overall): 704 ft2 | 65 m2
Elevator Depth: 7’11” | 2.4 m
Waiting Depth: 10’6” | 3.2 m or 1.75x car depth

Drawings include:
Six Lift Elevator Bank plan layout

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Two | Double Lift Elevator Bank
Measured layout for a Two Lift Elevator Bank with dimensions on the plan

Two Lift Elevator Banks are low capacity layouts used in buildings with limited occupancy loads. Based on a range of conditions including the type of project, occupancy load, and desired wait times, Two Lift Elevator Banks should be used for offices with floor areas around 90,000 ft2 (8,361 m2), hotels with 150 rooms, and housing projects with 180 units.

Combining a single row of lifts and an adjacent waiting area with a clearance width of 10’ (3 m), or 1.5x car depth, Two Lift Elevator Banks have typical widths of 18’ (5.5 m) and depths of 18’6” (5.6 m). Two Lift Elevator Banks have overall areas around 333 ft2 (31 m2).

Two Lift Elevator Banks are low capacity layouts used in buildings with limited occupancy loads and demands. Two Lift Elevator Banks should be used for offices with floor areas around 90,000 ft2 (8,361 m2), hotels with 150 rooms, and housing projects with 180 units.

Combining a single row of lifts and an adjacent waiting area with a clearance width of 10’ (3 m), or 1.5x car depth, Two Lift Elevator Banks have typical widths of 18’ (5.5 m) and depths of 18’6” (5.6 m). Two Lift Elevator Banks have overall areas around 333 ft2 (31 m2).

Two | Double Lift Elevator Bank
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Cars | Lifts: 2
Width (Overall): 18’1” | 5.5 m
Depth (Overall): 18’6” | 5.6 m
Area (Overall): 333 ft2 | 31 m2
Elevator Depth: 7’11” | 2.4 m
Waiting Depth: 10’ | 3 m or 1.5x car depth

Drawings include:
Two Lift Elevator Bank layout plan

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Three | Triple Lift Elevator Bank
Plan layout with dimensions of a Bank of Three Lifts with adjacent waiting area

Three Lift Elevator Banks are low to medium capacity layouts used in buildings with low to medium average occupancy loads. Based on a range of conditions including the type of project, occupancy load, and desired wait times, Three Lift Elevator Banks should be used for offices with floor areas around 135,000 ft2 (12,542 m2), hotels with 225 rooms, and housing projects with 270 units.

Combining a single row of lifts and an adjacent waiting area with a clearance width of 10’ (3 m), or 1.5x car depth, Three Lift Elevator Banks have typical widths of 27’ (8.2 m) and depths of 18’6” (5.6 m). Three Lift Elevator Banks have overall areas around 494 ft2 (46 m2).

Three Lift Elevator Banks are low to medium capacity layouts used in buildings with low to medium average occupancy loads. Three Lift Elevator Banks should be used for offices with floor areas around 135,000 ft2 (12,542 m2), hotels with 225 rooms, and housing projects with 270 units.

Combining a single row of lifts and an adjacent waiting area with a clearance width of 10’ (3 m), or 1.5x car depth, Three Lift Elevator Banks have typical widths of 27’ (8.2 m) and depths of 18’6” (5.6 m). Three Lift Elevator Banks have overall areas around 494 ft2 (46 m2).

Three | Triple Lift Elevator Bank
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Cars | Lifts: 3
Width (Overall): 26’9” | 8.2 m
Depth (Overall): 18’6” | 5.6 m
Area (Overall): 494 ft2 | 46 m2
Elevator Depth: 7’11” | 2.4 m
Waiting Depth: 10’ | 3 m or 1.5x car depth

Drawings include:
Three Lift Elevator Bank plan

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Eight Lift Elevator Bank
Play layout of an Eight Lift Elevator Bank with dimensions for lift and waiting area lengths, widths, depths

Eight Lift Elevator Banks are high capacity layouts used in buildings with large occupancy loads. Based on the type of project, occupancy load, and desired wait times, Eight Lift Elevator Banks should be used for offices with floor areas around 360,000 ft2 (33,445 m2), hotels with 600 rooms, and housing projects with 720 units.

Combining two rows of lifts around a central waiting area with a clearance width of 12’ (3.7 m), or 2x car depth, Eight Lift Elevator Banks have typical widths of 36’ (10.9 m) and depths of 28’ (8.5 m). Eight Lift Elevator Banks have overall areas around 992 ft2 (92 m2).

Eight Lift Elevator Banks are high capacity layouts used in buildings with large occupancy loads. Based on the project, occupancy, and wait times, Eight Lift Elevator Banks should be used for offices with floor areas around 360,000 ft2 (33,445 m2), hotels with 600 rooms, and housing of 720 units.

Combining two rows of lifts around a central waiting area with a clearance width of 12’ (3.7 m), or 2x car depth, Eight Lift Elevator Banks have typical widths of 36’ (10.9 m) and depths of 28’ (8.5 m). Eight Lift Elevator Banks have overall areas around 992 ft2 (92 m2).

Eight Lift Elevator Bank
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Cars | Lifts: 8
Width (Overall): 35’8” | 10.9 m
Depth (Overall): 27’10” | 8.5 m
Area (Overall): 992 ft2 | 92 m2
Elevator Depth: 7’11” | 2.4 m
Waiting Depth: 12’ | 3.7 m or 2x car depth

Drawings include:
Eight Lift Elevator Bank plan layout

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