Building managers are constantly searching for new and better methods to improve accessibility, efficiency and safety in their buildings. This is more clearly visible in commercial buildings that are also multi-storey offices, buildings or shopping malls, industrial facilities, etc. Commercial lifts can play a significant role in smoothening the transportation of people and goods on various floors of the same building. They impact our day-to-day lives in several ways and are significant for people with limited mobility, wheelchair users and even those willing to transport bulky items to the upper floors. There are so many different types of commercial lifts that we will cover in this post and determine how they are helpful in commercial buildings.

WHAT IS AN ELEVATOR?

In very simple terms, an elevator is a mechanically driven machine used for vertical transportation. It has redefined vertical transportation by transporting people and freight between different levels, decks, and floors. They are mostly cable-assisted, hydraulic cylinder-assisted or roller track-assisted. Here are the significant benefits of having an elevator in your commercial building.

THE BENEFITS OF AN ELEVATOR ARE:

●       It transports heavy objects like luggage or packages between floors.

●       It provides a smooth and relaxing ride from floor to floor.

●       Children and the elderly can travel safely without the potential injuries of a staircase.

Residential and commercial lifts make lives easier by moving people faster between different floors and transporting goods efficiently. Now we have a comfortable and relaxing mode of transport with these machines to travel up and down in skyscraper buildings. Commercial lifts can be found in the following industries:

●       Business centres

●       Hospitality

●       Medical

●       Education industry

●       Automobile dealership

●       Storage facility

●       Parking garages

Modern-day commercial lift installations are manufactured in various styles to make freight transport and passenger rides comfortable and smooth. They are also known as workhorses and are highly useful in warehouses, manufacturing plants, shopping malls, seaports, etc. Commercial lift installations used for goods and freight transport are made from more robust materials as they are intended for only commercial and industrial use.

HOW MANY KINDS OF LIFTS OR ELEVATORS ARE THERE?

In general, there are four types of elevators. They are:

●       Hydraulic elevators

●       Traction elevators

●       Machine-room-less elevators

●       Vacuum elevators

Let us review the features and advantages of every lift type listed above.

BENEFITS OF HYDRAULIC ELEVATORS

The benefits of hydraulic elevators are:

●       It is easy to install compared to other elevators.

●       It is less expensive for installation and maintenance.

●       It is ideal for transporting heavy loads.

THREE TYPES OF HYDRAULIC ELEVATORS

●       Holed Hydraulic Elevators

●       Holeless Hydraulic Elevators

●       Roped Hydraulic Elevators

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TRACTION ELEVATORS?

The benefits of traction elevators are:

●       They are more energy-efficient than hydraulic elevators in high-rise buildings.

●       They ride smoother

TWO TYPES OF TRACTION ELEVATORS

●       Geared Traction Elevators

●       Gearless Traction Elevators

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES AND BENEFITS OF VACUUM ELEVATORS?

The benefits of vacuum elevators are:

●       There is no need for a pit, machine room, or hoist.

●       It can be relocated anytime, in any location.

●       It is a low-maintenance elevator.

●       There is no need for a backup power supply.

●       It does not consume energy during descent.

●       It descends to the ground floor and opens the door automatically during power failure.

●       It starts and stops very smoothly.

TYPES OF COMMERCIAL LIFT INSTALLATIONS USED AROUND US

In most cases, you will find the following types of commercial lifts or elevators used around us.

PASSENGER TRACTION LIFTS

The name indicates that these commercial lift installations are designed to quickly transport people from one floor to another. They are intended for passenger use and have appealing and luxurious interiors, and the movement is maintained very smooth. They are available in a variety of designs, features and capacities. The benefits of passenger traction elevators or commercial lifts are listed below.

●       They offer smoother and quieter ride

●       They can travel up to an unlimited number of floors

●       They require a small electric motor and control room for operations.

●       They can accommodate front and rear openings in any configuration.

●       Passenger traction lifts have greater power and energy efficiency compared to hydraulic lifts.

●       They travel faster and can cover longer vertical distances.

●       They don't require frequent lubrication or maintenance.

●       The safety system is designed to prevent any injuries, accidents or mishaps.

WHAT ARE GOODS COMMERCIAL LIFTS?

This is a significant name in the category of commercial lift installations. The name clearly suggests that these commercial lifts are designed to transport goods vertically from one floor to another. Goods commercial lifts are mostly seen in hotels, restaurants, factories, warehouses, shopping malls, commercial towers, etc.

WHAT ARE LOW PIT LIFTS?

Low-pit commercial lifts are similar to traditional passenger lifts and have a sliding door and a one-touch panel to control the functions. The only factor that separates them from traditional passenger lifts is that low pit lifts can be used in different environments, including retail stores, offices, schools, institutions, shopping malls, multiplexes, etc.

WHAT ARE DUMBWAITER ELEVATORS?

Dumbwaiter elevators look similar to goods commercial lifts, but they are much smaller in size. They are primarily used for transporting smaller loads vertically, like food trolleys, books, etc. They are mostly used as food lifts or restaurant lifts, hotel lifts, etc.

WHICH COMMERCIAL LIFT IS IDEAL FOR ME?

The answer to this question depends on many factors. Your application, your needs and the type of equipment you use will influence your decision regarding commercial lift installations. You can start the purchasing process by asking some important questions to you, and the first of them is why you require commercial lifts.

Do you want it to transport people or goods, store material or inventory, or make more space in your warehouse? Once you have found the reason, selecting the best elevator companies one from the available commercial lifts will become very easy. Some other considerations will also be there, like the height, width, and weight of the cargo and the amount of maintenance you are willing to provide.

DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE

Before installing commercial lifts, you must determine the number of people working in the building and their responsibilities. More people means more commercial lifts to ensure that one single lift doesn't have the burden of transporting people vertically and then the freight and goods.

DETERMINE THE SIZE

As mentioned above, several factors are there when it comes to determining the size of commercial lifts. The first factor that influences your decision is the maximum working height of the machine. You must have enough clearance to accommodate uneven floors. Moreover, handling large amounts of weight will be possible only with adequate ground clearance underneath commercial lifts.

COMMERCIAL GRADE

A significant factor that will influence your decision is the commercial lifts' grade; you must ensure that they are stable and durable. Commercial lift installations must be able to support loads up to 10 tons. This will include the machine's weight and the weight of the items or humans getting transported. Next, you must focus on the safety standards and ensure that the commercial lift you have chosen has a manufacturer's warranty.