Starting an elevator for a new building is more than simply choosing a lift and deciding where to install it. The right elevator depends on the building design, number of floors, expected passenger traffic, available shaft space, project location, and the required delivery timeline.
Getting these details right at the planning stage can help prevent costly changes, installation delays, and problems with elevator performance later in the project.
If you are an architect, developer, contractor, building owner, or project manager planning an elevator project in Nigeria, here are five important details to establish before selecting an elevator.
1. Determine the Number of Stops
The first question is: How many floors or stops will the elevator serve?
The number of stops affects the elevator's travel distance, control system, installation requirements, and overall specification.
For example, a small residential building may require an elevator serving only a few floors, while a commercial or high-rise building may require an elevator designed for significantly more stops and heavier usage.
It is important to establish the number of stops early so the elevator can be properly matched to the building's design.
Why this matters
Knowing the number of stops helps with:
Elevator selection
Shaft planning
Travel height calculations
Electrical and installation requirements
Project cost estimation
2. Choose the Right Passenger Capacity
How many people will use the elevator at a time?
Passenger capacity is another important consideration when planning an elevator. Elevators are available in different load capacities, and the appropriate capacity depends on the type of building and expected traffic.
A residential building may have different requirements from an office complex, hotel, hospital, shopping centre, or other high-traffic property.
Choosing an elevator that is too small for the expected traffic can result in longer waiting times and increased usage. On the other hand, selecting a capacity significantly beyond the project's requirements may affect the overall project cost and space requirements.
Consider the building's use
Ask:
Is it a residential building?
Is it an office or commercial property?
Is it a hotel?
Will elderly people or people with mobility challenges regularly use it?
How much passenger traffic is expected during busy periods?
These questions help determine an appropriate elevator capacity.
3. Confirm the Clear Shaft Dimensions
One of the most important technical details to establish before ordering an elevator is the available shaft space.
The clear shaft dimensions should be confirmed against the elevator's technical requirements before construction progresses too far.
Depending on the elevator design, you may need to consider:
Shaft width
Shaft depth
Pit depth
Headroom
Door opening dimensions
Machine-room requirements, where applicable
Getting these measurements wrong can create significant problems during installation.
Involve the elevator company early
Architects, structural engineers, contractors, and elevator specialists should coordinate the elevator requirements during the design stage.
This allows the elevator specifications to be considered alongside the building structure instead of trying to make an elevator fit into an unsuitable shaft later.
4. Consider the Project Location
The location of the building is another factor that should be established early.
Your project location can affect logistics, transportation, installation planning, site access, labour coordination, and after-sales support.
For projects across Nigeria, it is useful to discuss the location with the elevator supplier before finalising the project schedule.
The supplier can then consider the practical requirements for transporting equipment to the site and coordinating installation.
5. Establish Your Required Delivery Date
When does the elevator need to be on site?
This is especially important when the elevator installation is connected to a larger construction programme. Delays in elevator supply can affect other stages of the project.
Before placing an order, discuss:
Required delivery date
Manufacturing or availability period
Transportation
Site readiness
Installation schedule
Testing and commissioning
If the elevator is required within a short timeframe, ask your supplier whether the required model and specification are already available.
For projects where time is important, availability can be just as important as price.
Elevator Planning Should Start Early
One common mistake in building projects is waiting until construction is well advanced before discussing the elevator.
Elevator requirements can influence architectural layouts, shaft dimensions, structural provisions, electrical requirements, and project scheduling.
Starting the conversation early gives the project team more time to compare suitable options and address technical requirements before they become construction problems.
A Simple Elevator Planning Checklist
Before contacting an elevator supplier, have these details available:
01 — Number of stops
How many floors will the elevator serve?
02 — Passenger capacity
How many people or what load should the elevator carry?
03 — Clear shaft dimensions
What are the available shaft width, depth, pit and headroom dimensions?
04 — Project location
Where is the elevator going to be installed?
05 — Required delivery date
When do you need the elevator delivered to site?
Having these five details ready can make the initial discussion with an elevator supplier much easier.
Planning an Elevator Project? Start With the Right Information
Whether you are working on a residential development, commercial building, hotel, office complex, hospital, or other property, proper elevator planning can help you avoid unnecessary changes later in the project.
At J&P Global Lifts and Elevators, you can discuss your project requirements and explore suitable elevator options based on your building's needs.
Have an upcoming project?
Prepare your number of stops, passenger capacity, shaft dimensions, project location, and required delivery date, then start the conversation.