Lifts are common aspects of modern construction and are increasingly being included even in small residences due to the accessibility they offer. Their convenience, energy efficiency and affordability are only increasing with rising usage. However, selecting the right building lift for a structure can be a confusing task with the numerous options available today, for which understanding the different types is crucial. Therefore, Brick & Bolt presents a comprehensive guide to understand the lift or elevator definition, different types of elevators available, and choosing the right types of lifts for home units. Read on to learn more.
What is Elevator or Lift Technology?
A lift or elevator is a mode of vertical transportation for people and goods, generally across different levels of a building. The motor used for elevators is generally operated with the aid of electricity or other forms of mechanical energy, allowing them to function as convenient, accessible, inclusive, and speedy means of transportation. Although lifts were first developed in the mid-19th century, new types are still being developed every day, pushing the boundaries of high-rise construction and space efficiency in vertical structures.
Types of Lifts
The different types of lifts currently available can be broadly categorised as follows:

Let us understand these types in detail.
Types of Lifts Based on Usage
Passenger Lifts
Passenger lifts are designed to transport people and their goods across different floors of a building. These are the most commonly used types of lifts for homes, hospitals and other commercial buildings. They are available in different kinds based on capacity (which can range from 1 to 25 people or 50 to 10,000 kg) and working system (hydraulic, traction, pneumatic, capsule, box lifts, etc.).
Service/ Freight Lifts
These lifts function as modes of transportation to service spaces like kitchens, pantries, and bathrooms, and they can usually bear heavy amounts of load. Although similar to passenger lifts in many cases, special types of freight lifts like dumbwaiters (small lifts enclosed within panels to transport food easily) and trolley lifts (to transport trolleys of food and other packages, especially in lodging hotels) are also commonly used. Service lifts are typically positioned to be hidden from the main thoroughfare in buildings.
Step/ Staircase Lifts
Developed especially for helping specially-abled or elderly people move through different levels of buildings, step and staircase lifts are fairly new technologies that can be incorporated into existing buildings. These lifts generally include a chair to seat one person or a platform to accommodate a wheelchair. While a staircase lift is installed along the slope of a staircase and follows its shape, step lifts are positioned next to staircases and travel vertically (generally a maximum of 10-12 feet).
Construction Lifts
Building construction involves the movement of heavy materials, equipment and people, for which temporary lifts are often installed or used on-site. Construction lifts are required for various processes like excavating and filling large amounts of earth, transporting and installing modular building elements and navigating complex terrains. Commonly used types of construction lifts are boom lifts and scissor lifts.
Special Purpose Lifts
Lifts are often required for transporting several other types of items, such as boats, aircrafts and other vehicles, theatre stages and trolleys. Special-purpose lifts are designed to accommodate these specific requirements, which often involve the movement of very large, heavy and delicate goods.
Types of Elevator Technologies Based on Mechanism
Hydraulic Lifts
Hydraulic lifts operate with the aid of pistons that are placed at the bottom of the elevator and push it up with pumped forces. Such lifts require a machine room that is at the bottom next to the elevator shaft. These lifts usually have a maximum speed of 1 meter per second and can be used for buildings with two to eight storeys.
Some commonly available types of hydraulic lifts are:
- Holed hydraulic lifts
- Holeless telescopic lifts
- Holeless non-telescopic lifts
- Holeless roped hydraulic lifts
Traction Lifts
Traction lifts incorporate ropes and wheels (similar to pulley systems, and sometimes including counter-weights to increase efficiency) to ensure movement across different levels. These lifts can be used for mid and high-rise buildings and travel faster than hydraulic lifts, but are more expensive. Traction lifts can be categorised as:
- Geared traction lifts
- Gearless traction lifts
- Machine room-less (MRL) lifts
Pneumatic Lifts
Vacuum pumps or turbines placed in lift shafts regulate the air pressure inside them, controlling the movement of pneumatic lifts. Although more expensive than other lift types due to the newly developed technology they incorporate, pneumatic lifts offer the benefit of compactness and can be installed in existing buildings. Such lifts also do not require any shaft or machine room, ensuring that they are space-efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
Types of Building Lift Based on Height
Low-Rise Lifts
These lifts can travel across two to three floors of a building and are most commonly used in residential structures with plot areas less than 5,000 sq ft.
Mid-Rise Lifts
Often incorporated in residential (mid-sized apartments) and commercial buildings, mid-rise lifts can transport people and goods across four to eleven storeys.
High-Rise Lifts
High-rise lifts are a necessity in tall buildings with more than 11 storeys and typically have high movement speeds and large capacities.
How to Select the Right Commercial Lift or Building Lift Type?
To make the choice of lift type easier, the following criteria can be analysed based on individual requirements:
- Usage: Different types of lifts are required for different space usages. For example, a minimally sized lift is sufficient for a two to three storeyed residence, while hospital lifts need larger lifts to accommodate stretchers and wheelchair movement.
- Lift motor type: The noise generated by a lift is a factor to be considered for acoustically delicate spaces like theatres and hospitals. Designs on tight plots must also analyse the space required for lift machinery, such as machine rooms and backup generators.
- Speed: The speed of movement of a lift is an important criteria in tall buildings, where high speeds above 2.5 meters per second are required for efficiency. However, this may not be a very crucial factor for small residential buildings with a maximum height of five storeys.
- Loading and capacity: The weight expected in service lifts is generally much higher than passenger lifts, while passenger lifts in large commercial buildings (such as malls) require higher human capacity than individual residences. Passenger lift sizes are generally dictated by the number of people that can be accommodated, which can range from 1 to 25.
- Number of floors: Lifts do not necessarily need to provide access to every floor in a building. For instance, terraces in most commercial buildings are closed to general access and function only as service areas (they generally house water tanks, solar panels and other electrical and plumbing units). Lifts in such buildings can stop at the floor below the terrace level.
- Indian Standards: Various IS (Indian Standards) codes provide guidelines on the installation of lifts in every building. These ensure the safety of users and must be adhered to for complying with government regulations. Some of these codes are:
- IS 14665: Guidelines on electric traction, passenger, service, goods and hospital lifts
- IS 14671 (1999): Code of practice for installation and maintenance of hydraulic lifts
- IS 15785 (2007): Code of practice for installation and maintenance of lifts without machine rooms
- IS 15330 (2003): Code of practice for installation and maintenance of lifts for specially-abled persons
- NBC (National Building Code) volume 2, part 8: Installation of lifts, elevators, and moving walkways.
Choosing the Best Lift for Home and Commercial Buildings
The selection of an ideal lift type and brand requires careful analysis of specific project requirements and market trends by industry experts. Brick & Bolt is a tech-enabled construction company in India, with over 7,000 completed projects and proven expertise on the selection and installation of lifts, especially in homes and commercial spaces. With safe money transactions and absolute transparency guaranteed, the company is a leader in the construction industry, promising unparalleled customer satisfaction. Contact Brick & Bolt today to construct your dream home with the right lift type to ensure convenience and comfort!