Selection Guide - Planck Elevator Co., Ltd.

Step 1: Will Your Elevator Be Installed Indoors or Outdoors?

External Elevanor shaft

Outdoor elevator installations are typically driven by two primary scenarios.

First, in retrofitting projects for existing buildings where no original elevator shaft was planned, an external shaft is constructed to facilitate vertical access for residents or passengers.

Second, in new constructions, elevators may be intentionally designed as exterior observation lifts to enhance the passenger experience with scenic views.

These externally mounted elevators predominantly feature transparent glass shafts paired with glass carriages. Due to the specialized structural requirements and premium materials involved, their construction costs are generally higher than those of standard indoor installations.

Indoor Elevator Shaft

Indoor elevators are typically planned from the outset by property owners or developers to address vertical transportation needs. Consequently, dedicated elevator shafts are reserved within the building's initial design.

Regarding the shaft construction, there are two main options based on specific requirements:

Concrete Structures: This is the most common and cost-effective choice, serving as the primary option for the majority of projects.

Glass With Stainless Steel Or Aluminum Alloy: This alternative offers a more modern and transparent aesthetic but comes at a higher cost. As long as a designated shaft exists within the building, an elevator can be installed.

Step 2: Will You Be Using a Concrete Shaft or a Steel-and-Glass Structure?

This decision is critical as it dictates the specific type of elevator suitable for your project.

Steel-With-Glass Shaft

The shafts of steel strcture with glass offer another solution for passenger elevators. Although relatively more expensive, they are typically designed as panoramic (sightseeing) elevators. Their advantages are obvious: they provide transparency, bright natural lighting, and a luxurious aesthetic, making them a popular choice for high-end commercial shopping centers.

These shafts can be constructed either indoors or as external additions to existing buildings, though the overall cost remains higher compared to concrete options.

Concrete Ring Beam Shaft

Concrete ring beam shafts are the most common type of shaft for passenger elevators. They are designed and constructed during the initial building phase.

This structure allows for the installation of cost-effective stainless steel passenger elevators, making it the preferred choice for the majority of commercial buildings and mid-to-high-rise residential complexes.

Step 3: Is Your Shaft Designed for a Standard Machine Room or an MRL System?

MR and SMR stand for Standard Machine Room, while MRL stands for Machine Room Less.

MR / SMR

An MR/SMR shaft has a dedicated room on top of the hoistway to house the traction machine and control cabinet. This setup offers several advantages. Under Chinese safety regulations, all passenger elevators must have a machine room. This improves safety and makes maintenance and rescue operations much easier.

The independent space also provides better ventilation, which extends the lifespan of electronic components.

Additionally, this structure supports heavier traction machines for higher load capacities.

MRL (Machine Room Less)

MRL stands for Machine Room Less. These elevators focus on space efficiency and a sleek design. The core concept involves integrating compact traction machines and control cabinets directly into the hoistway, eliminating the need for a dedicated overhead machine room.

This design offers significant advantages. By removing the machine room, the overall building height is reduced, which lowers civil construction costs. Furthermore, MRL systems require less overhead clearance, making them ideal for buildings with limited top-floor height.

Currently, this is the mainstream solution for mid-to-low-rise residential buildings and private homes. In fact, MRL elevators represent the standard for the majority of elevator installations abroad.

Step 4: The Dimensions for the Pit Depth, Story Height, and Headroom?

Elevator installation requires specific parameters. Please refer to the diagram below to verify the floor specifications for your project. Generally, the standard floor height in China is 3.3 meters. We use this as the default value for our calculations. Please inform us if your actual floor height differs.

STANDARD MACHINE ROOM		MACHINE ROOMLESS
We use the floor height of 3.3m as the default value for our calculations.
TOP FLOOR HEIGHT	PIT DEPTH	TOP FLOOR HEIGHT	PIT DEPTH
mm	mm	mm	mm
4500-4600	1400-1500	1600-1700	4300-4400

Step 5: What Are the Load Capacity and Speed of the Passenger Elevator?

Load capacity and speed are key factors in elevator selection. Capacity determines the passenger load, while speed depends on the specific application.
Although our elevators can reach speeds of up to 6 m/s, such high performance is unnecessary for most scenarios. Please refer to the table below to select the appropriate speed based on your floor range.

Floors	Speed (m/s)	Load Capacity (KG)	Passenger Capacity
1-7	0.63-1.0	450	6
7-15	1.0	630	8
15-20	1.5	800	10
20-30	1.75	1000	13
30-40	2.0-2.5	1600	21

Step 6: What Kind of Cabin Decoration Is Required?

Generally, passenger elevators come with standard SUS304 stainless steel finishes. However, for elevators with glass shafts (panoramic), a glass cabin can be selected.

Glass Passenger Elevator Cabin

The cabin structure features a framework fabricated from 304 stainless steel integrated with large-area glass panels. This design leverages the high strength of stainless steel for structural support while utilizing the transparency of glass, thereby ensuring compliance with safety standards and delivering a full panoramic sightseeing experience.

Standard Passenger Elevator Cabin

Featuring a core of 304 stainless steel, this standard cabin integrates corporate simplicity with industrial efficiency. Its standardized accessories ensure consistency while enabling swift production and flexible maintenance. This solution delivers both visual appeal and functionality, making it perfectly suited for commercial environments such as office buildings and shopping centers.

Tailored to Your Style

Of course, variety is key. We offer a wide array of aesthetic choices, allowing you to customize the cabin in colors like black, gold, or copper to fit your unique vision. You can also define the flooring material, choosing from durable PVC, elegant marble, or modern stone slabs.

If you have specific requirements, simply download our brochure via the link below. Browse our collections, pick your favorite style, and let us help you bring your custom design to life.

https://www.plancklift.com/resources.html