Glossary
Commercial elevator terminology
A plain-English reference for the terms you'll run into when planning, modernizing, or servicing a commercial elevator. Bookmark this page or share it with your team.
- ADA
- Americans with Disabilities Act. A federal law requiring accessible routes in commercial and public buildings. Many ADA requirements are met using elevators, LULA elevators, or platform lifts.
- Cab
- The enclosure that carries passengers or freight inside the elevator hoistway. Cab finishes are often updated as part of a modernization.
- Capacity
- The maximum weight an elevator is designed to lift, expressed in pounds. Common commercial capacities range from 2,500 to 5,000 pounds.
- Code compliance
- The set of state and local elevator code requirements an installation must meet, including ASME A17.1 in the United States. Modernizations bring older equipment up to current code.
- Controller
- The electronic control system that manages elevator dispatching, motion, doors, and safety circuits. Older relay-based controllers are typically replaced during modernization.
- Door operator
- The mechanical and electrical assembly that opens and closes elevator doors. Door equipment is one of the most common failure points and is frequently upgraded during modernization.
- Dumbwaiter
- A small freight elevator designed to move materials, food, books, or supplies between floors. Common in restaurants, libraries, schools, and medical facilities.
- Fixtures
- The user-facing controls and indicators in an elevator system, including hall stations, car operating panels, position indicators, and lanterns.
- Fpm (feet per minute)
- The unit used to describe elevator speed. Hydraulic elevators typically run 100 to 150 fpm. Traction elevators run 200 fpm and faster.
- Freight elevator
- An elevator designed and rated to move materials and equipment, with reinforced cab construction and specialized door types. Sometimes used by passengers under specific code conditions.
- Hoistway
- The vertical shaft in a building where the elevator cab travels. Hoistway condition is a major factor in deciding between modernization and full replacement.
- Hydraulic elevator
- An elevator that lifts the cab using a fluid-powered piston (jack). Best for low-rise buildings of two to four stories. Lower initial cost than traction.
- Inclined Platform Lift (IPL)
- A platform lift that follows an existing staircase, including stairs that turn corners. Used to provide accessibility when a full elevator or vertical platform lift will not fit.
- LULA (Limited Use Limited Access)
- A compact commercial elevator designed for buildings with low traffic and limited budgets. Travels up to about 25 feet. Often used to meet ADA requirements in churches, small offices, and similar spaces.
- Machine room
- A dedicated space, typically near the top or bottom of the hoistway, that houses the elevator power unit and controller. Modern systems often skip this with MRL designs.
- MRL (Machine-Room-Less)
- An elevator design that places the drive equipment inside the hoistway instead of a separate machine room. Saves building space and is available in both hydraulic and traction configurations.
- Modernization
- Replacing key elevator subsystems (controller, power unit, fixtures, door operators, wiring) while reusing the hoistway and other components that are still in good condition. A typical alternative to full replacement.
- Non-proprietary equipment
- Elevator components that any qualified service provider can maintain and repair. The opposite of proprietary equipment, which locks the building owner into a single vendor.
- Pit
- The space at the bottom of the hoistway, below the lowest landing. Houses the buffer and other equipment. Required pit depth varies by elevator type, with LULA elevators needing as little as 14 inches.
- Power unit
- The motor and pump assembly that drives a hydraulic elevator. Sized to match the lift load and travel height. Replaced during modernization when leaks, noise, or efficiency become issues.
- Service agreement
- A contract for ongoing elevator maintenance and priority service. Agreements range from basic inspection-only to full coverage with parts and emergency response.
- Traction elevator
- An elevator that lifts the cab using steel ropes or belts driven by a sheave. Best for mid-rise and high-rise buildings. Faster and more energy-efficient than hydraulic systems.
- Vertical Platform Lift (VPL)
- A short-travel platform lift used to provide ADA accessibility where a full elevator is not required. Common in schools, churches, municipal buildings, and historic structures.
- Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor (VRC)
- A material lift designed to move freight between floors when ADA accessibility is not required. Often used in warehouses, mezzanines, and back-of-house operations.
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