How to build a lift shaft?

When designing a building with a lift, it is essential to select the lift prior to drawing in a lift shaft. So how do you build a lift shaft?

When lift shafts are drawn up prior to selecting a lift, it is a common problem to have a lift shaft that is too small or has no allowance to support the lift.

If the following points are carefully considered you will be ready to ask the right questions for supplies to get the answers you will need.

The following is a simple process to ensure your lift shaft design does not cause issues for the builder or the client:

1. Is the lift for a single residence only? This is a Home Lift and you will need to tell the supplier this.

2. If the lift does not serve just one home or has a shared basement it is a Commercial Lift so it may need Fire-Rated Doors and Building Code of Australia (BCA) compliance.

3. Determine which sides of the lift shaft the doors will be on, this affects dimensions.

4. Determine the internal dimensions of the lift cabin you need.
a. For home lifts just decide if it needs to be big enough for a wheel chair or other client requirements
b. For a commercial lift consult the Building Surveyor to ensure all the BCA requirements are covered, this is crucial with larger commercial projects.

5. Ask the manufacturer if the lift comes in its own self supporting tower.
If so, this is simple to draw in as it does not require load bearing walls.

6. If the lift does not have a self supporting structure you will need the specifications, and wall loading on the walls of the lift shaft confirmed by an Engineer.

7. Select the manufacturer of the lift you want to use or check with three companies the “clear internal shaft dimensions” required for their products. Some supplies have niche dimension requirements that lock in their product so get a range of companies’ dimensions and select the largest shaft requirements. This will give you options and negotiating power later on.

8. The types of shaft available are steel, core filled block work, or concrete.
a. Steel shafts, if not supplied with the lift, are expensive to design and will generally have installation issues and extra costs.
b.Masonry shafts are bulky and expensive but the best option for flexibility sound proofing.

Now you know how to build a lift shaft, you will be prepared when seeking the right lift solution for your project.

• Is the lift for a single residence only? This is a Home Lift and you will need to tell the supplier this.
  
  If the lift does not serve just one home or has a shared basement it is a Commercial Lift so it may need Fire-Rated Doors and Building Code of Australia (BCA) compliance.
• Determine which sides of the lift shaft the doors will be on, this affects dimensions.
• Determine the internal dimensions of the lift cabin you need.
  a. For home lifts just decide if it needs to be big enough for a wheel chair or other client requirements
  b. For a commercial lift consult the Building Surveyor to ensure all the BCA requirements are covered, this is crucial with larger commercial projects.
• Ask the manufacturer if the lift comes in its own self supporting tower.
  If so, this is simple to draw in as it does not require load bearing walls.
• If the lift does not have a self supporting structure you will need the specifications, and wall loading on the walls of the lift shaft confirmed by an Engineer.
• Select the manufacturer of the lift you want to use or check with three companies the “clear internal shaft dimensions” required for their products. Some supplies have niche dimension requirements that lock in their product so get a range of companies’ dimensions and select the largest shaft requirements. This will give you options and negotiating power later on.
• The types of shaft available are steel, core filled block work, or concrete.
  a. Steel shafts, if not supplied with the lift, are expensive to design and will generally have installation issues and extra costs.
  b.Masonry shafts are bulky and expensive but the best option for flexibility sound proofing.

Now you know how to build a lift shaft, you will be prepared when seeking the right lift solution for your project.

Published: August 3, 2015