WHAT IS AN ELEVATOR?

-an elevator is a class of hoisting machinery in which a cage, cab, car, or platform is raised and lowered
between fixed stops or landings.

-A platform or an enclosure raised and lowered in a vertical shaft to transport people or freight.
TYPES OF ELEVATORS

Geared-traction elevators

-are found in medium rise buildings

-are limited to a maximum rise of 107 meters (350ft.)

-use a smaller, cheaper, high speed motor that is geared down to provide car speed of up to 137
meters(450ft.) per minute.

Gearless traction elevators

-are used in high rise buildings for passenger elevators.

-operate at 6 meters (20ft.) per second; have no gears; motor must run at same relatively low speed as
drive sheave.

-used for medium and high speed elevators that run between 153(500ft) per minute and
610meters(2000ft) per minute.

-provide a very smooth, high speed ride

-more efficient and less maintenance

-expensive
Hydraulic elevators

-has a plunger attached to bottom of car that pushes against oil that is under pressure

-does not need penthouses but require machine room at or near bottom landing.

Used for low-speed, low-rise applications

Can be used witch glass enclosed cab.

Freight elevators

-elevator has limited access from the public

-for lifting heavy loads of equipment, furniture, materials etc.

-same as a service elevator

WHAT IS AN ESCALATOR?

-escalators are power driven stairways consisting of steps attached to a continuously circulating belt.
They can move a large number of people efficiently and comfortably between a limited numbers of
floors. They move at a constants speed. They should not be used in fire exits.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AN ELEVATOR AND A CONSTRUCTION LIFT

The difference between an elevator and a construction lift is that a construction lift is an open cab used
for construction purposes like carrying of loads and materials, while the elevator is for passenger
purposes. The elevator is also enclosed. It is more private and safe. In a construction lift, it is either
operated by a vehicle or attached to a particular side wall, while on an elevator, it is enclosed either in a
shaft or it is also in a wall but with enclosures and protective elements.

WHAT IS A DUMBWAITER?

A dumbwaiter is either a traction or drum type. The size of a dumb waiter is limited to 9sq.ft. of platform
area and a height of no more than 4ft(1200mm)

Dumbwaiters are equipped with doors and electrical locks or contacts to prevent their operation if a
door is opened. Typical operations include (1) call and send for a two-stop dumbwaiter (2)multi floor
buttons at one floor to send the dumbwaiter to any designated floor with return, call, or multi floor
buttons at other than the main floor, and (3) multi floor button stations at all floors for complete
flexibility.
SOURCES:
GOOGLE BOOKS
The Vertical Transportation Handbook
edited by George R. Strakosch, Robert S. Caporale

Elevator Design, Construction and Maintenance (1905)

By Wexford College

Building Construction Illustrated

By Francis D. K. Ching

Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings

By Walter T. Grondzik, Alison G. Kwok, Benjamin Stein, John S. Reynolds