Hoistways

Hoistways are vertical enclosures that house the moving components of an elevator system, allowing the car and counterweight to travel between floors. They provide a protected conduit in which the car, guide rails, and related equipment operate, while helping to maintain alignment and safety for passengers and maintenance personnel.

Construction and components: A hoistway is typically a reinforced concrete or masonry shaft, though some installations use metal or steel shafts with a concrete lining. Inside, guide rails are fixed to the walls to guide the car and counterweight along a precise path. At each floor, the hoistway includes a landing door and a corresponding door frame that are interlocked with the car door to prevent movement unless the car is present. The bottom portion may include buffers or springs to absorb impact in a maximum descent scenario. The hoistway extends from a pit at the bottom to the equipment area at the top, where drive machinery and controllers are housed in a machine room or the hoistway itself.

Types and design considerations: Hoistways can be masonry or concrete-lined, and may also be steel or prefabricated shafts in some installations. Modern high-rise systems often employ poured concrete hoistways with steel guide rails. Design considerations include fire resistance, accessibility for inspection, and the integration of access panels, ventilation, and drainage as required by the building and codes.

Safety and regulation: Hoistways are designed to prevent occupant exposure to moving parts, with interlocked doors, dedicated ventilation, and protected guide rails. They must conform to local and international standards and codes, such as those governing dimensions, door interlocks, fire ratings, and testing.

Maintenance and operation: Regular inspection of rails, doors, interlocks, buffers, and sealing is essential to maintain safe operation and code compliance.