Types of Lifts in Buildings

Classification, Uses and Architectural Planning

1. Introduction

Lifts, also known as elevators, are an essential part of vertical transportation in modern buildings. They allow people, goods, equipment and, where required, patients on stretchers or beds to move between different floors safely and efficiently.

The selection of a lift influences more than vertical movement. It affects the building’s circulation pattern, core layout, usable floor area, structural coordination, electrical services, accessibility and maintenance arrangements.

Different buildings require different lift systems. An apartment building may primarily need passenger lifts, whereas a hospital may require lifts designed for bed and stretcher movement. Hotels often need separate passenger and service circulation, while warehouses and industrial buildings may require goods lifts with suitable load capacities and car dimensions.

Understanding the types of lifts in buildings helps architects coordinate the lift system with the building’s function, occupancy, height, traffic demand and technical requirements.

2. What Is a Lift?

A lift is a mechanical system that transports people or goods vertically between designated levels of a building. A typical installation includes a lift car, landing doors, a hoistway, guide rails, a drive system, controls and safety equipment.

The drive system moves the car, while the controls coordinate its movement and stopping at the required floors. The hoistway provides the designated vertical travel space.

In architectural planning, a lift is not simply equipment inserted into a shaft after the floor plans are completed. Its dimensions, position, entrances, supporting structure, electrical requirements and maintenance access should be coordinated during the early design stages.

3. How Are Lifts Classified?

Lifts can be classified according to their intended use, their method of operation, their installation arrangement or their specialised function.

The distinction between these categories is essential because the classifications overlap.

Basis of classification	Examples	Main consideration
Purpose	Passenger, goods, hospital, service	Who or what the lift transports
Drive technology	Traction, hydraulic	How the car moves
Machinery arrangement	Machine-room, MRL	Where the drive equipment is located
Special function	Firefighter, evacuation-related systems where permitted, panoramic	Specific operational or architectural requirements
Building application	Residential, commercial, industrial	Occupancy, traffic and building constraints

A machine-room-less passenger lift, for example, is both a passenger lift by function and an MRL lift by installation arrangement.

4. Types of Lifts According to Their Function

4.1 Passenger lifts

Passenger lifts are designed primarily to transport people between floors. They are commonly installed in residential towers, offices, hotels, shopping centres, educational buildings and other multi-storey developments.

Key characteristics

• Designed around passenger capacity, rated load and expected traffic.
• Usually equipped with automatic landing doors and passenger controls.
• May use conventional or destination-control dispatch systems.
• Require suitable lobby space, accessible controls and reliable floor levelling.
• Must comply with applicable safety and accessibility requirements.

Architectural application: Passenger lifts should be located so that occupants can reach them easily from building entrances and principal circulation routes. In larger buildings, lift grouping and traffic analysis help reduce waiting and walking distances.

A lift lobby should also be coordinated with corridors, stairs, fire-safety provisions and the movement of people passing through the space.

4.2 Goods or freight lifts

Goods lifts are designed primarily for transporting materials, products, equipment and other loads. Their design depends on the size, weight and handling requirements of the goods.

Typical applications include factories, warehouses, logistics centres, commercial kitchens, retail back-of-house areas and service basements.

Important design considerations

• Maximum rated load and load distribution.
• Car dimensions, door opening and clear access.
• Trolley, pallet or material-handling requirements.
• Loading and unloading space at each landing.
• Floor loading and structural support.
• Protection of finishes from impact and abrasion.
• Separation of goods movement from public circulation where appropriate.

Goods lifts should not be specified solely by rated load. A lift with sufficient load capacity may still be unsuitable if its car is too short, too narrow or unable to accommodate the equipment being transported.

4.3 Hospital lifts and bed lifts

Hospital lifts are designed to support the movement of patients, staff, visitors, medical equipment and, where specified, beds or stretchers.

The term hospital lift covers different operational requirements. A bed lift must accommodate the intended bed, attendants and necessary equipment, while a passenger lift serving visitors may have a different design brief.

Key planning considerations

• Clear car dimensions sufficient for the intended bed or stretcher.
• Door width and opening arrangement.
• Accurate floor levelling and smooth movement.
• Adequate lobby space for turning and manoeuvring.
• Easy-to-clean, durable interior finishes.
• Appropriate emergency communication and reliable operation.
• Convenient connections to emergency departments, wards and diagnostic services.

In hospitals, lift placement should follow the clinical circulation strategy. Patient transport routes should be considered alongside staff, visitor, supply and waste movement.

The final number, capacity, speed and arrangement of lifts should be determined from the hospital’s operational requirements and applicable planning standards rather than from a generic rule.

4.4 Service lifts

Service lifts transport materials and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of a building. They are commonly found in hotels, hospitals, offices, shopping centres and large residential developments.

Depending on their design and certification, service lifts may carry maintenance equipment, housekeeping trolleys, supplies or other service loads.

Architectural application: Service lifts are often placed near back-of-house corridors, stores, loading areas, kitchens or maintenance zones. Their position should support efficient service circulation without unnecessarily crossing public or sensitive clinical routes.

A service lift should not automatically be treated as a goods lift of any capacity. Its permitted use, load rating, car dimensions and safety provisions must be confirmed from the equipment specification.

4.5 Dumbwaiter lifts

A dumbwaiter is a small lift used to transport items such as food trays, documents, dishes or supplies between levels. It is not intended for carrying people.

Dumbwaiters are useful in restaurants, hotels, libraries, healthcare facilities and buildings where staff need to transfer small items without repeatedly using stairs.

Planning considerations

• Size of the objects being transported.
• Number of floors served.
• Loading and unloading arrangements.
• Location of serving hatches or landing doors.
• Cleaning, maintenance and access provisions.

India’s Bureau of Indian Standards lists IS 17900 (Part 20):2024, addressing dumbwaiter specifications and safety rules for planning, installation, operation and maintenance.

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4.6 Residential and home lifts

Residential lifts are used in private houses, duplex apartments, villas and selected low-rise residential developments. Their design often prioritises convenient access, quiet operation and efficient use of floor area.

Depending on the project, a residential lift may use traction, hydraulic or another suitable drive technology.

Design considerations

• Available shaft or installation space.
• Number of floors and total travel.
• Intended users and accessibility needs.
• Pit depth and overhead clearance.
• Electrical supply and emergency arrangements.
• Structural modifications in existing houses.
• Local permissions and applicable lift-safety requirements.

Compact home lifts can simplify movement between floors, but their suitability depends on the actual car dimensions, intended users and compliance requirements. A small lift should not be assumed to provide the same accessibility as a fully accessible passenger lift.

4.7 Firefighter lifts

Firefighter lifts are specialised lifts designed to support authorised firefighting and emergency operations in buildings where such provision is required.

They are not simply ordinary passenger lifts with a different label. Their design involves specific operating modes, controls, power arrangements, protection against fire-related conditions and coordination with the building’s fire and life-safety strategy.

Architects and fire-safety consultants should coordinate:

• Lift location and access for emergency personnel.
• Protected approach and lobby arrangements where required.
• Emergency power and control provisions.
• Fire-resistant construction and relevant building interfaces.
• Communication and operational procedures.
• Applicable code and local authority requirements.

A firefighter lift must not be confused with a general evacuation lift. The permitted use of lifts during a fire depends on the system’s design, applicable regulations and emergency procedures. Ordinary lifts should not be assumed safe for evacuation during a fire.

4.8 Panoramic or observation lifts

Panoramic lifts feature transparent or partially glazed enclosures that allow occupants to see the surrounding building or landscape during travel.

They are commonly used in shopping centres, hotels, public buildings, observation spaces and architectural atriums.

Their primary distinction is visual experience rather than drive technology. A panoramic lift can use a conventional lift drive system selected for the building.

Architectural considerations

• Views and visual connections between floors.
• Solar exposure and heat gain where glazing is exposed.
• Glare and visual privacy.
• Structural support for the glazed enclosure.
• Cleaning and maintenance access.
• Fire-safety strategy and the relationship to the atrium.
• Integration with interior design and building circulation.

Panoramic lifts can become prominent architectural features, but their position should also be evaluated for practical circulation, thermal comfort, maintenance and safety.

4.9 Platform lifts and specialised accessibility lifts

Platform lifts provide vertical access for people with mobility limitations in selected situations. Depending on the system, they may serve a short level change, a mezzanine or another location where a conventional passenger lift is impractical.

They are not interchangeable with passenger lifts in every building. Their permitted applications, travel, enclosure, operating arrangements and safety provisions depend on the applicable rules.

When planning an accessible building, architects should first establish the required accessible route and then select a compliant solution. A platform lift should not be assumed to satisfy all vertical-access requirements.

4.10 Capsule and glass lifts

Capsule lifts are often marketed as distinctive passenger lifts with a compact or visually prominent cabin, frequently featuring extensive glazing. The term can overlap with panoramic or observation lifts rather than describing one universal engineering category.

The selection process should therefore focus on the lift’s certified function, drive system, rated load, travel, enclosure and applicable standards—not the marketing name alone.

5. Types of Lifts According to Drive Technology

The previous section classifies lifts by what they do. The following section explains how the lift car moves.

5.1 Traction lifts

Traction lifts use an electric motor to drive a sheave over which suspension ropes or other approved suspension means travel. The car is commonly balanced by a counterweight.

This arrangement reduces the effort required to move the car compared with a system that lifts the entire load without counterbalancing.

Traction lifts are widely used in residential, commercial and high-rise buildings, with the specific machine and configuration selected for the required travel, capacity, speed and traffic demand.

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Advantages

• Suitable for a wide range of building heights.
• Can provide higher speeds for buildings with substantial vertical travel.
• Counterbalancing can improve energy performance.
• Available in different configurations and capacities.

Limitations

• Requires space for the suspension system, guide rails and related equipment.
• Pit and overhead requirements can affect the building section.
• Equipment and maintenance access must be planned carefully.

Geared and gearless traction

Feature	Geared traction	Gearless traction
Drive arrangement	Motor operates through a gearbox	Motor drives the sheave without a reduction gearbox
Typical application	Selected conventional installations and some heavy-duty applications	Common in modern passenger installations, including many high-rise systems
Space and machinery	Depends on equipment configuration	Often allows a more compact drive arrangement
Selection factors	Capacity, travel, speed, maintenance and cost	Capacity, speed, traffic, efficiency and ride quality

Neither system should be selected by label alone. The project specification, manufacturer data and traffic analysis determine suitability.

5.2 Hydraulic lifts

Hydraulic lifts use pressurised fluid to move a piston or hydraulic cylinder that raises the lift car. During descent, the system controls the release of fluid so that the car lowers safely.

They have traditionally been used in low-rise buildings and selected applications involving particular load or installation constraints.

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Advantages

• Can be suitable for low-rise travel.
• May offer practical solutions for selected retrofit projects.
• Machinery can often be arranged outside the overhead portion of the shaft.

Limitations

• Energy use, heat generation and fluid management need consideration.
• A hydraulic power unit and suitable service access are required.
• The arrangement may be less suitable for high-rise or high-traffic use.
• Pit, cylinder and other installation requirements vary by design.

A hydraulic lift should not automatically be assumed to require no machine room. The location of the power unit, shaft arrangement and clearances depend on the specific system.

5.3 Machine-room-less (MRL) lifts

A machine-room-less lift places its drive equipment and associated components within the permitted hoistway or designated integrated spaces rather than requiring a separate conventional machine room.

MRL is an installation arrangement, not a separate category based on the lift’s purpose. It is commonly associated with traction systems, although machine-room arrangements depend on the particular technology and product.

Advantages

• Can free up floor or roof area otherwise used for a separate machine room.
• May simplify the roofline and building massing.
• Can support efficient planning in space-constrained projects.

Limitations

• Equipment access and maintenance clearances remain necessary.
• Pit and overhead requirements are not eliminated.
• Equipment location affects the coordination of structural, electrical and other building systems.

Manufacturer documentation confirms that MRL systems place machinery within the hoistway and that conventional machine-room installations remain available.

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5.4 Other specialised drive systems

Some residential and specialised installations use screw-driven, chain-driven or pneumatic systems. These systems should be considered only where their certified operating characteristics, capacity, travel and safety provisions match the project requirements.

They should not be treated as direct substitutes for conventional passenger lifts in every building type. Product-specific documentation and applicable regulations must govern the final selection.

6. Comparison of Major Lift Types

The following table provides a preliminary selection guide. It is not a substitute for lift traffic calculations, manufacturer specifications or statutory requirements.

Lift type	Typical application	Main design priority	Key limitation to evaluate
Passenger	Apartments, offices, hotels	Passenger traffic and accessibility	Waiting times and lobby congestion
Goods/freight	Warehouses, factories, retail back-of-house	Load and item dimensions	Loading space and floor loading
Hospital/bed	Hospitals and healthcare facilities	Bed and stretcher movement	Car and lobby manoeuvring space
Service	Hotels, offices and commercial buildings	Service circulation	Separation from public routes
Dumbwaiter	Kitchens, restaurants, libraries	Small-item movement	Limited size and permitted use
Residential	Houses and duplexes	Space and user requirements	Retrofitting and clearances
Firefighter	Buildings requiring fire-service lift provision	Emergency operations	Special protection and control requirements
Panoramic	Atriums, malls and hotels	Visual experience and circulation	Glazing, heat, privacy and maintenance
Platform	Selected accessible level changes	Compliant access	Limited permitted applications
Traction drive	Various building types	Travel, capacity and traffic	Hoistway and machinery coordination
Hydraulic drive	Selected low-rise and specialised applications	Low-rise operation and installation constraints	Energy and fluid-system requirements
MRL arrangement	Various passenger-lift applications	Efficient use of building space	Integrated machinery access and clearances

Notice that some rows describe the lift’s purpose while others describe its drive or installation. They should be combined according to project requirements, not treated as mutually exclusive choices.

7. Architectural Planning Considerations

Lift selection should begin during the concept-design stage, when the building’s core, structural grid, circulation and service zones are still being developed.

7.1 Number and capacity of lifts

The number of lifts depends on building occupancy, arrival patterns, floor count, floor-to-floor travel, rated capacity, speed, handling strategy and acceptable waiting times.

A lift traffic study may be needed for large offices, hotels, residential towers and other high-occupancy buildings. It should consider peak demand rather than relying solely on the total number of floors.

For hospitals, the study must also consider bed movement, emergency access, service traffic and the need for operational separation.

7.2 Lift location and building circulation

Lift placement influences how efficiently occupants move through the building.

• Locate passenger lifts in relation to principal entrances and circulation routes.
• Avoid creating bottlenecks where lift lobbies intersect main corridors.
• Coordinate lift banks with staircases and other elements of the building core.
• Consider walking distances from regularly occupied spaces.
• Plan service lifts near loading areas and service corridors where appropriate.
• Evaluate how people queue, wait and pass through the lobby.

The optimum position depends on the individual building plan; there is no single layout that works for every project.

7.3 Lift shaft, pit and headroom

The lift shaft or hoistway must accommodate the lift car, guide rails, doors, suspension system and other equipment required by the selected product.

Three important dimensions are:

• Shaft dimensions: the internal width and depth available for the equipment and required clearances.
• Pit depth: the vertical distance below the lowest landing needed for the specified equipment and safety clearances.
• Headroom: the available vertical clearance above the uppermost landing.

These dimensions vary with lift type, rated speed, capacity, manufacturer and applicable standards. They must be obtained from coordinated equipment drawings rather than assumed from a generic table.

For an architect, a key practical lesson is to obtain preliminary lift specifications before freezing the structural core. Changes to shaft width, pit depth or headroom can affect usable floor area, foundations, basement layouts and roof planning.

7.4 Structural coordination

The lift installation interfaces with the building structure through its shaft enclosure, guide-rail supports, machinery supports and other specified connections.

The structural engineer should coordinate:

• Lift shaft walls and supporting members.
• Loads and reactions supplied by the manufacturer.
• Pit construction and waterproofing interfaces.
• Openings and embedded items.
• Machine-room or integrated machinery supports.
• Roof and overhead structural constraints.
• Construction tolerances and installation access.

Do not assume that a lift shaft automatically carries only its own wall loads. The actual support arrangement and equipment reactions must be established from the lift supplier’s design information.

7.5 Electrical and building-services coordination

Lifts require coordinated electrical supplies, controls, communication systems and appropriate safety provisions. Depending on the installation, ventilation, cooling, drainage interfaces or other services may also need consideration.

Architects should coordinate these requirements with the electrical, mechanical, fire-safety and lift consultants.

The lift shaft should not be used as a convenient route for unrelated services. The permitted equipment and services within the hoistway must follow the applicable lift standards and the manufacturer’s requirements.

7.6 Accessibility and inclusive design

A lift should be planned around the needs of its intended users, including people who use wheelchairs, people with limited mobility, older people, and people with visual or hearing impairments.

Relevant considerations include:

• Accessible approach and lobby circulation.
• Appropriate car dimensions and door clear openings.
• Reachable and legible controls.
• Tactile and visual information where required.
• Audible floor announcements where required.
• Accurate levelling at landings.
• Clear signage and accessible routes to the lift.

In India, the applicable accessibility provisions and the National Building Code should be consulted. The exact requirements depend on building type and the regulations applicable to the project.

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7.7 Fire and life safety

Lift design must be coordinated with the building’s fire strategy. This includes the applicable requirements for shaft enclosure, landing protection, emergency operation, power and firefighter access where relevant.

An ordinary passenger lift should not be assumed to be an evacuation lift or a firefighter lift. The intended role of each system must be clearly established and coordinated with the fire-safety consultant and local authority.

7.8 Energy efficiency and sustainability

Lift energy use depends on drive technology, traffic patterns, control strategy, car loading, travel distance and operating conditions.

When comparing systems, consider:

• Drive efficiency and energy use during movement.
• Standby consumption when the lift is idle.
• Regenerative drives where suitable and available.
• Lighting and ventilation controls.
• Durability, maintenance and replacement requirements.
• The expected operating life and intensity of use.

A lift with a lower initial cost is not necessarily the most economical over its lifetime. The comparison should consider installation, operation, maintenance and replacement.

8. Common Advantages of Lifts in Buildings

Lifts can provide several benefits when they are designed for the building’s needs.

1. Convenient vertical circulation: They reduce dependence on stairs for routine movement between floors.
2. Improved accessibility: Properly designed systems can provide an accessible route between levels.
3. Efficient movement of materials: Goods and service lifts can support building operations.
4. Healthcare support: Suitable bed lifts assist the movement of patients and equipment.
5. Space planning flexibility: Correct lift grouping can improve circulation in multi-storey buildings.
6. Better operational separation: Separate passenger and service routes can support efficient building management.

These benefits depend on suitable design, safe operation and ongoing maintenance.

9. Limitations and Challenges

Lifts also introduce planning and operational demands.

• They occupy valuable floor area and require dedicated shaft space.
• Pit and headroom requirements may affect the building section.
• Initial installation and lifecycle costs can be significant.
• Maintenance and inspections are necessary.
• Equipment downtime can disrupt building operations.
• Poor lobby planning can create queues and circulation conflicts.
• Incorrect selection can lead to inadequate capacity or unsuitable car dimensions.
• Existing buildings may require substantial structural modifications for installation.

For these reasons, lift planning should be coordinated with the architectural, structural and building-services design rather than postponed until construction drawings are nearly complete.

10. Common Mistakes in Lift Planning

Mistake 1: Selecting a lift only by rated capacity

Rated load does not establish whether a lift can accommodate a bed, trolley, pallet or bulky equipment. Car dimensions, door openings and loading arrangements are equally important.

Mistake 2: Treating all lifts as interchangeable

Passenger, goods, hospital and firefighter lifts have different design purposes. Their permitted use and required safety provisions must be verified.

Mistake 3: Finalising the shaft before obtaining lift drawings

Generic shaft dimensions can conflict with the selected manufacturer’s equipment. Preliminary specifications should be coordinated before the structural grid and core are frozen.

Mistake 4: Ignoring the lift lobby

A correctly sized lift can still perform poorly if passengers cannot queue or circulate comfortably around the landing doors.

Mistake 5: Assuming MRL means no space requirements

MRL systems eliminate the need for a separate conventional machine room in the specified arrangement, but they still need equipment space, access and adequate clearances.

Mistake 6: Overlooking maintenance and replacement access

The design should account for equipment access, safe maintenance, inspection and eventual replacement.

Mistake 7: Confusing general guidance with statutory requirements

Indicative dimensions and common practices are not automatically code requirements. Verify the current applicable standard, local regulations and manufacturer drawings for every project.

11. Lift Standards and Regulations in India

The applicable rules depend on the building, the lift type, the state or local authority and the current regulatory framework.

Useful starting points include:

• National Building Code of India 2016 (NBC 2016): Part 8, Section 5 addresses lifts, escalators and moving walks, with Section 5A covering lifts. Bureau of Indian Standards
• IS 17900 (Part 1):2022: The BIS listing identifies this standard as covering safety rules for lifts transporting persons and goods. BIS
• IS 17900 (Part 20):2024: Covers dumbwaiters and their planning, installation, operation and maintenance. access-board.gov+1

BIS also lists standards addressing lift planning and selection for passenger, service, hospital-bed and stretcher lifts. The relevant standard and edition should be verified through the current BIS catalogue.

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Important: This article is educational guidance, not a substitute for checking the current full standards, applicable state lift legislation, fire and life-safety requirements, accessibility rules or approval conditions. Do not rely on an old online table for statutory dimensions.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the main types of lifts in buildings?

The main functional types include passenger, goods, hospital or bed, service, dumbwaiter, residential, firefighter and panoramic lifts. Platform lifts are used for selected accessibility applications. These categories describe intended use; traction, hydraulic and MRL describe drive or installation characteristics.

2. What is the difference between a hydraulic lift and a traction lift?

A hydraulic lift raises its car using pressurised fluid acting on a piston or cylinder. A traction lift uses an electric motor and a driven sheave with suspension ropes or another approved suspension arrangement, commonly balanced by a counterweight. Their suitability depends on travel, traffic, space, efficiency and maintenance requirements.

3. Which type of lift is suitable for a high-rise building?

Traction lifts are commonly used for high-rise buildings because their systems can support substantial travel and suitable speeds. The final choice depends on traffic analysis, rated capacity, speed, building height, energy performance and the applicable safety requirements.

4. What is an MRL lift?

An MRL, or machine-room-less lift, is an installation arrangement that does not require a separate conventional machine room. The machinery is integrated within the permitted hoistway or associated spaces. It still requires appropriate maintenance access, pit depth, headroom and equipment clearances.

5. What is the difference between a passenger lift and a goods lift?

A passenger lift is primarily intended for transporting people. A goods lift is designed around the loads, dimensions and handling requirements of materials or equipment. Their rated capacities, car dimensions, finishes and operating provisions may differ.

6. What type of lift is used in hospitals?

Hospitals may use passenger lifts, bed or stretcher lifts, service lifts and other specialised systems. The selection depends on patient movement, equipment dimensions, clinical circulation, traffic demand and applicable standards.

7. What is a dumbwaiter lift?

A dumbwaiter is a small lift designed to carry items such as food, dishes, documents or supplies between floors. It is not intended to transport people.

8. Can a lift be installed in an existing building?

Yes, some existing buildings can accommodate a lift, subject to feasibility. The design must assess available space, structural capacity, foundation and pit requirements, headroom, access, services, approvals and the suitability of the selected lift system.

9. Does an MRL lift require a lift machine room?

An MRL system does not require a separate conventional machine room in its intended configuration. However, equipment space, access and the clearances specified by the manufacturer remain necessary.

10. What should architects check before finalising lift drawings?

Architects should coordinate the intended lift function, capacity, speed, shaft dimensions, pit, headroom, landing doors, lobby, structural loads, electrical supply, accessibility, fire-safety provisions, maintenance access and the manufacturer’s installation drawings.

13. Conclusion

The different types of lifts in buildings address different functional, technical and architectural needs. Passenger lifts support everyday circulation, goods lifts support material movement, hospital lifts accommodate patient transport, and specialised systems address specific operational or accessibility requirements.

Selecting the correct system requires more than identifying a lift category. Architects must consider building occupancy, travel distance, traffic demand, lift lobby planning, structural coordination, services, accessibility, fire safety and maintenance.

The most effective lift design begins early, when the architectural core and building section can still be coordinated with the lift manufacturer’s requirements and the relevant standards. This approach helps produce a safer, more accessible and more efficient building.