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CONSTRUCTION KNOWLEDGE  >> CONVEYING SYSTEMS >>

PEOPLE MOVERS
 

1. What Should I Know about Elevators?
2. What Should be Done before the Elevator Contractor Arrives?
3. What Should I Know about Escalators and Moving Walks?
4. What Public Domain Documents are Available for Further Study?
5. Tricks of the Trade & Rules of Thumb for People Movers:

What Should I Know about Elevators?

The two basic categories of elevators are hydraulic elevators and cable (also called traction) elevators. Within the first category there are holeless hydraulic and bore hole hydraulic. The hydraulic elevators  provide an economical option for low rise buildings. The second type elevator is for mid or high rise buildings and utilizes a cable system.

The Construction Supervisor should pay attention to the actual requirements for the elevator shaft and the machine room. Often the information shown on bid drawings doesn't match the true requirements for the purchased elevator, so the Construction Supervisor should verify the following:

1. Actual required elevator shaft inside dimensions?
2. Requirement and size of sump pit?
3. Requirement and size and discharge of sump pump?
4. Is an oil detection system required on the sump pump discharge?
5. Where do the rail attachment inserts get located?
6. Is there adequate rail attachment at the top of the elevator shaft?

What Should be Done before the Elevator Contractor Arrives?

Of course, a Construction Supervisor should be prepared for any new trade that starts on the project. The reality, though, is that we often aren't as prepared as we should be. Often the newest trade comes onto the project and we fit them in as we go. It's not ideal, but it's reality.

Try not to let that happen with the Elevator Contractor. If they come onto the site prior to them being able to efficiently work, problems and costs tend to pile up. A couple of basic things that you should remember:

1. If 3 phase power isn't available at the elevator, they can't start.
2. If the elevator shaft isn't dry, you won't get an occupancy permit, so get it dry before they start (it's easier than later).
3. Make sure they can unload their truck and store their hundreds of pieces and parts near the shaft.

Those are a few of the basics. Schindler Elevator provides a good list for installation guidelines to review. I urge you to take the time to plan for the arrival of the Elevator Contractor. It's better to move back their start date than to look like a monkey screwing a football.

What Should I Know about Escalators and Moving Walks?

Escalators are available in 30 degree inclination and 35 degree inclination. Moving walks help transport large numbers of people quickly. Frankly, I've never installed an escalator or a moving walk...so that's all I have to say about that.

What Public Domain Documents are Available for Further Study?

No information available at this time.

Tricks of the Trade & Rules of Thumb for People Movers:

1. Make sure your purchased elevator will fit in the shaft you're building.
2. Learn the requirements for the elevator shaft sump pump.