What Does Elevator Pit Mean In Construction?
What Does Elevator Pit Mean In Construction?
The elevator pit is the depression below the surface of the lowest landing that allows the elevator floor to be level with the floor of the lowest landing.
It must extend throughout the entire area of the hoistway and all passenger elevators and escalators are required to be inspected at least once. Waterproofing for elevator pits is also necessary, as they need to extend beyond any existing walls or floors.
In New York City, an elevator landing is defined as a portion of a floor, balcony, or platform immediately adjacent to the entrance door of an elevator shaft.
Do All Elevators Require A Pit?
Most elevators require a pit, however, there are some models available that do not need one, such as the Telecab by Savaria and the Elevator-Mate by Savaria.
In order for an elevator pit to be classified as a Permit-Required Confined Space, it must meet certain criteria set out in OSHA’s guidance document. If the pit is over 4 feet (1.22m) deep then ladders or stairways may be required instead of a pit.
How Deep Is An Elevator Pit?
The elevator pit area will be the same width and length as the hoistway but can range in depth from 6″ to 12″, depending on the type of elevator.
For both types of elevators, the pit depth is determined by a formula that takes into account the weight of the car and its load capacity.
An enclosed elevator lobby must also be provided on each floor to separate the elevator hoistway shaft enclosure doors from each floor by fire partitions.
How Does Water Get Into The Elevator Pit?
Water can enter an elevator pit through the bottom or walls of the pit, often due to cracks in the concrete or failed joints. This is especially common in buildings with leaky foundations and those situated at or below the water table.
Water seepage can affect the hoisting mechanism and electrical systems of the elevator, leading to failure. It can also cause corrosion of steel parts and create health and safety issues.
To prevent water from entering an elevator pit, it is important to ensure that waterproofing is properly installed around joints and walls, as well as to use urethane injection for concrete walls.
Additionally, installing elevator pit water leak detectors can help detect any leaks before they become a major problem.
What Elevators Don’t Require A Pit?
Pneumatic vacuum home elevators do not require a pit. These elevators are fully enclosed and simply rest on the existing ground floor, eliminating the need for any pre-construction shaft, pit, or machine room.
This makes them an ideal choice for homes where digging into the foundation to create a pit is not an option.
Pneumatic vacuum elevators are also known for their clean technology and minimal electrical power consumption, making them a green choice.
What Is The Dimension Of An Elevator Pit?
The dimensions of an elevator pit depend on the type of elevator and its capacity. Standard elevators typically require a pit with a depth of at least 4 feet and a ceiling height of at least 150 inches.
In-home elevators usually have a shaft length of 50 feet, but may require a pit depth of around 4 feet.
According to UpCodes, when the pit floor is more than 3000 mm (120 in.) below the sill of the access door, there must be a fixed ladder with rungs, cleats, or steps that are 400 mm (16 in.) wide.
