Imagine that today you are faced with the legal requirement to install an elevator in your building. Or perhaps you are considering installing an elevator in your home based on your own needs and preferences. It's clear that you're stepping into a vast, unknown world—one that connects to technical data and information in mechanics, electricity, and similar sciences on one side, and to safety regulations, aesthetics, and more on the other. This unknown world is also filled with numbers, figures, and costs—prices for motors, rails, cabins, and all sorts of components and tools that fluctuate constantly. All these various unknowns have led us to address the questions you might have about purchasing an elevator in this article. Additionally, the experts and consultants at "Owjlift" are available to answer any further questions you may have or to provide price quotes.
Naturally, people who have never built a multi-story building have not faced the choices related to elevators and, therefore, know little about them. However, those who have been involved in construction over the years understand well that with a few simple changes in their choices, they could have had a much more suitable elevator and, as a result, a much better building. The difficulty, of course, lies right here: when you apply for a building permit, your countdown to having a good elevator begins, and your time becomes increasingly limited.
Suppose you've received your building permit from the municipality and are now working on the overall site and floor plans. You should know that the information related to the elevator in these plans is not something unusual; it's just the dimensions of the elevator shaft, which have been placed on your site according to regulations and the consultant engineer's preferences. But is this all we need to build a suitable elevator? The answer is naturally "no," because even the dimensions and location of that shaft are not based on your specific needs and are, as they say, a "standard design" in building plans. The problem is that from the day you break ground on your building, you don't have much time to consult with an elevator company’s experts. Why? Because your opportunity for initial consultation lasts only until the welding of the building’s structure begins, and after that, there’s not much you can do to change the elevator dimensions without incurring significant costs. All this means: before taking any action, contact the consultation department of an elevator company.
Engineering regulations include several points regarding the installation of elevators in new buildings. According to these regulations, the mandatory installation of an elevator in a building depends on the "vertical travel distance." You might ask, what does "vertical travel distance" mean? In residential buildings, it refers to the distance from the floor of the first entrance to the floor of the highest level. In non-residential buildings, it refers to the distance from the floor of the lowest basement to the floor of the highest level.
According to the regulations, if the vertical travel distance in your building exceeds seven meters, or in other words, if your building has more than three floors, installing an elevator becomes mandatory. Additionally, in buildings where the vertical travel distance reaches 21 meters, installing at least one "patient transport elevator" or "stretcher elevator" is also required. For buildings with eight floors where the vertical travel distance is at least 28 meters, the installation of two elevators is mandatory.
While browsing websites, you may have come across lists showing the costs of one-floor, two-floor, three-floor elevators, etc. However, it's important to note that an elevator is a diverse collection of hundreds of different parts, both large and small. Consequently, any changes in your needs and choices regarding each part can significantly affect the final cost of the project. This means that although the overall cost of your building's elevator is directly related to the number of floors and the **cabin capacity** of your elevator, without knowing your preferences and needs, it’s impossible to determine the appropriate choice and, therefore, the final project cost.
Given this, there are two ways for you to determine the cost of your project: if you are aware of your needs and understand the technical systems of elevators, you can calculate the final cost of your elevator through the online pricing system. Otherwise, you always have the option of contacting the consultants at "Owjlift."
1. Where is the Elevator Shaft?
As previously mentioned, the process of building an elevator begins with positioning the elevator shaft in the initial building plan. After this stage, the shaft finds its final location within the project during the framing process.
2. The Elevator Requires Three-Phase Power
It's essential to request the three-phase electrical connection needed for your elevator early on, concurrently with the initial construction stages. This request can be made through government service centers or the website of the electricity distribution company. It typically takes at least one month for the necessary inspections and approvals from the electricity company.
3. Prepare the Elevator Shaft
As the building progresses, it’s advisable to prepare the elevator shaft as soon as possible by applying a clean, uniform white lining. Completing the shaft preparation marks the beginning of the elevator installation process.
4. Elevator Installation Begins
The installation of an elevator involves several steps: designing and planning the elevator, preparing and installing electrical and mechanical equipment, transporting and installing the cabin, rails, motor, etc., installing control systems, performing adjustments and tests, and finally, conducting inspections and obtaining final approval. In a standard project, all these steps, from when the shaft is ready to the first time you press the elevator button, usually take around one to two months. This means that in many buildings, the elevator motor is operational before the final finishes are completed.
Undoubtedly, the first elevators were considered luxurious and convenient alternatives to the winding staircases of tall buildings, and few could have predicted their current significance in the marketability of modern, stylish buildings. Today, however, a sleek and spacious cabin, coupled with a fast and reliable elevator system, is one of the first things that catches the eye of real estate agents and potential buyers or renters. As a result, the elevator has become one of the most critical common areas in a building. However, to maintain this importance, two key factors should not be overlooked:
| Standard Dimensions | It seems we've moved past the days of "moving furniture solely via staircases," and the stereotype of elevator breakdowns due to transporting items is also fading. This might explain why elevators with larger doors and cabins are now seen as valuable assets for buildings, and owners have realized the role that elevator dimensions play in enhancing the quality of life for residents. Of course, achieving this requires early consultation, which can inform you about the minimum and optimal elevator dimensions. |
| Suitable Cabin | The "cabin" is the face of the elevator; it's one of the first parts of the building that residents and guests encounter. This space should not only meet the diverse needs of users but also reflect the quality and prestige of the building. |
Owjlift is Here to Help
For more than two decades, builders, contractors, engineers, architects, and other professionals in the construction industry have recognized "Owjlift" as one of the leading companies in the elevator and escalator industry. Over the years, Owj Lift has supported and executed numerous projects in Khorasan Razavi, Tehran, Kish, Qeshm, Oman, Iraq, and beyond. We continue to offer a wide range of services, acting as both a contractor and consultant alongside developers and owners of residential, commercial, office, and hospital projects.
Where is the elevator shaft?
As we mentioned earlier, the process of building an elevator begins with positioning the elevator shaft in the initial building plan. After this stage, during the framing process, the shaft finds its final location within the project.
When Should You Start Thinking About the Elevator?
People who have never built a multi-story building in their lifetime naturally haven't faced the decisions related to elevators, so they don't know much about them. However, those who have been involved in construction over the years know well that with a few simple changes in their choices, they could have had a much more suitable elevator and, as a result, a significantly better building. The challenge, of course, lies here: once you apply for a building permit, your countdown to having a good elevator begins, and your time becomes increasingly limited each day.
How Much Does Elevator Installation Cost?
You might have come across lists of costs for one-floor, two-floor, three-floor elevators, etc., while browsing websites. However, it's important to know that an elevator consists of a diverse set of hundreds of different components, both large and small. As a result, any changes in your needs and choices regarding each component can significantly impact the final cost of the project. This means that while the overall cost of your building's elevator is directly related to the number of floors and the capacity of your elevator cabin, without knowing your preferences and needs, it's impossible to make the right choice and determine the final project cost.