Vertical Transportation Systems in Buildings by Ramesh Nayaka

Mr. Ramesh Nayaka, (M.Tech. - IITM)
Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering
National Institute of Technology Calicut, Kerala
India - 673601
Module – 3
Vertical Transportation (Building Services)
CE2007 - Functional Design of Buildings

Vertical Transportation ??
• To provide an accessible path, leading from one level to
another by targeting to meet the needs of all target groups.

Outline
• Stairs
• Elevators
• Escalators
• Ramps

What is a stair and it’s components??
A stair is a series of steps, each elevated a measured distance,
leading from one level of a structure to another.
 Stair parts and terms
• Headroom
• Tread
• Riser
• Unit rise
• Unit run
• Total rise
• Stringer
• Stair well
• Total run
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Cont’d…
• Platform
• Winding stairs
• Run of stairs or flight
• Straight run
• Winders

Cont’d…..
• Handrail
• Wall rail
• Baluster
• Balustrade
• Newel Post
• Nosing

Terminologies
1. Headroom: The clear space between the floor line and ceiling.
2. Tread: Horizontal walking surface of a stair
3. Riser: The vertical stair member between two consecutive stair treads.
4. Unit rise: The height of the stair riser; the vertical distance between two treads.
5. Unit run: The width of a stair tread minus the nosing.
6. Total rise: Vertical distance from one floor to another
7. stringer: A stringer to which blocking has been added to form a base for adding treads and risers.
8. Stairwell: The rough opening in the floor above to provide headroom for stairs.
9. Total run: The horizontal distance occupied by the stairs; measured from the foot of the stairs to a point directly
beneath where the stairs rest on a floor or landing above.
1. Platform: A horizontal section between two flights of stairs. Also called a landing.
2. Winding stairs: A curving stairway that gradually changes direction; usually circular or elliptical in shape. Also called
geometrical.
3. Run of stairs: A series of steps that is a continuous section without breaks formed by landings or other constructions.
Also called a flight of stairs.
4. Straight run: A stairway that does not change direction.
5. Winders: Wedge-shaped treads installed where stairs turn.
6. Handrail: A pole installed above and parallel to stair steps to act as a support for persons using the stairs. also called
a stair rail.
7. Baluster: The vertical member (spindle) supporting the handrails on open stairs.
2. Newel: The main post at the start of a stair and the stiffening post at the landing.
3. Nosing: The part of a stair tread that projects beyond the riser
Balustrade: An assembly with a railing resting on a series of balusters that, in turn, rest on a base, usually the treads
• Wall rail: In closed stairs, the support rail that is

Types of Stairs
 STRAIGHT STAIRS:-
• All steps lead in one direction
• This may be continuous with two flights
with an intermediate landing
• Adopted when staircase is narrow and
long
• Provided mostly in porch, entrance etc.
 DOG-LEGGED STAIRS:-
• Consist of two straight flights running in
opposite directions
• There is no space between the flights in
plan
• Landing is provided at level which
direction of flight changes

Types of Stairs
 GEOMETRICAL STAIRS :-
• These stairs may have any geometrical
shape and they require no newel post
• This type of stair is similar to open newel
stair except the well formed between
forward and backward flight is curved
• Change of direction in such stairs is
achieved by winders and not by landings
 CIRCULAR STAIRS:-
• all the steps are radiate from a
newel post or well hole
• all the steps are winders
• this is provided where space is
limited and traffic is casual
• mostly located at rear of building

Types of Stairs
 QUARTER TURN NEWEL:-
• A stair turning through 90° with the
help of level landing
• Used in shops and public buildings
 OPEN NEWEL STAIRS:-
• Popularly known as open well
stairs
• A well or opening is left between
forward and backward flight
• The opening is generally used
for installation of lift
• A short flight may or may not
provided in these stairs

Design Consideration
Landing
the width of the landing should not be less than the width of stairs
Width of stairs
Residential:-0.8 to 1 m
Public :- 1.8 to 2 m
Tread
Residential:-220-250 mm
Public:- 250-300mm
Not less than 200mm in any case
 Riser
residential:-150-180 mm
Public:- 120-150mm
Not more than 200mm in any case
Pitch
Should not be more than 38°

Dimensions of a Step
 Comfortable ascent and descent
 Thumb Rules
 (2 x Rise in cm) + (Going (tread) in cm) = 60
 (Rise in cm) + (Going in cm) = 40 to 45
 (Rise in cm) x (Going in cm) = 400 to 450
 Adopt Rise = 14 cm and Going = 30 cm as standard;
then for every 20 mm subtracted from going, add 10 mm to the
rise.
 Residential building = 16 cm x 26 cm
 Public building = 17 cm x 24 cm

Requirements of a Good Stair
Provide easy, quick and safe mode of communication between the floors.
Following are the general requirements which a stair should fulfill.
 Location :
 It should be so located as to provide easy access to the occupants
building.
 It should be so located that it is well lighted and ventilated directly from
the exterior.
 It should be so located as to have approaches convenient and
spacious.
 Width of Stair:
 It should be wide enough to carry the user without much crowd
and in convenience.

Cont’d….
 Depends upto its location in the building and type of the
building.
 In a domestic building, a 90cm wide stair in sufficient while in
public building, 1.5 m to 1.8 m width may be required.
 Length of flight:
 The number of steps are not more than 12 and not less than 3.
 Pitch of stair:
 a comfortable slope is achieved when twice rise plus going is
equal to 60 cm approx. pitch should however, be limited to 30o
degree to 45O
 Head Room:
 Clear space between tread and soffit of the flight immediately
above it should not be less than 2.1 to 2.3 m.

Cont’d..
 Balustrade:
 Open well stair should always be provided with balustrade, to
provide safety to users.
 Step dimensions:
 the rise and tread should be of such dimensions as to provide
comfort to the users. Their proportion should also be such as
to provide pitch of the stair. The going should not be less than
25 cm, though 30 cm going is quite comfortable. The rise
should be between 10 cm to 15 cm. The width of landing should
not be less than width of stair.
 Materials of Construction :
 The materials used for stair construction should be such as to
provide a) Sufficient strength and b) fire resistance

Stairs of Different Materials
 TIMBER
 Light in weight and easy construct, but poor fire resistance
 Used for small rise residential buildings, unsuitable for high rise
residential and public buildings. Hardwood ( oak, mahogany etc.)
 It should be free from fungal decay and insect attack.
 STONE
 Widely used where ashlar stone is readily available.
 Quite strong and rigid, though they are very heavy.
 Stone should be hard, strong and resistance to wear and fire
resistance also.
Stone stairs may have following types of steps:
1. Rectangular steps with rebated joint.

Cont’d..
2. Spandril steps
3. Tread and riser steps
4. Cantilever tread steps
5. Built – up steps
 BRICKS
 Very common except at entrance.
 It contains either solid wall or arched openings may be left for
obtaining storage space.
 Frequent maintenance.
 STEEL
 Mild steel or cast iron steel are used only as emergency stairs.
 Not common, though they are strong and fire resistant.

Cont’d..
 R.C.C
 R.C.C stairs are the one which widely used for residential, public
and industrial buildings.
 Strong, hard wearing and fire resisting.
 Usually cast in situ, and a variety of finishes can be made on
these.
R.C.C stairs may be divided into two categories
1. Stair with slab spanning horizontally.
2. Stair with slab spanning longitudinally.

Design of a staircase.
 Plan a dog legged stair for a building in which the vertical
distance between the floor is 3.6 m. the stair hall measures 2.5 m
x 5m.
 Shows the plan of a stair hall of a public building, which
measures 4.25 m x 5.25 m. the vertical distance between the floor
is 3.9 m.

Elevator
Elevator has been used in buildings having more than 4 stories.
 Lift — An appliance designed to transport persons or
materials between two or more levels in a vertical or
substantially vertical direction by means of a guided car or
platform. The word ‘elevator’ is also synonymously used for
‘lift’.
 Lift Car — The load carrying unit with its floor or platform,
car frame and enclosing bodywork.
 Lift Landing — That’ portion of a building or structure used
for discharge of passengers or goods or both into or from a lift
car.
 Lift Machine — The part of the lift equipment comprising the
motor and the control gear therewith, reduction gear (if any),
brake(s) and winding drum or sheave, by which the lift car is
raised or lowered.

Elevator
 Lift Pit — The space in the lift well below the level of the
lowest lift landing served.
 Lift Well — The unobstructed space within an enclosure
provided for the vertical movement of the lift car(s) and any
counterweight(s), including the lift pit and the space for top
clearance.
 Lift Well Enclosure — Any structure which separates the lift
well from its surroundings.
 Passenger Lift — A lift designed for the transport of
passengers.
 Position and/or Direction Indicator — A device which
indicates on the lift landing or in the lift car or both, the
position of car in the lift well or the direction or both in which
the lift car is traveling.

Elevator
 Rated Load (Lift) — The maximum load for which the lift
car is designed and installed to carry safely at its rated
speed.
 Rated Speed (Lift) — The mean of the maximum speed
attained by the lift car in the upward and downward
direction with rated load in the lift car.

Overview of Types of ElevatorsOverview of Types of Elevators
Generally Two CategoriesGenerally Two Categories
 Traction (Electric)
 Virtually limitless rise (high & mid rise)
 High speeds, but high installation cost
 Hydraulic
 Limited to heights of about 60 ft. (6 stories)
 Lower speeds
 Lower initial cost – higher power consumption
The systems are distinguished primarily by their hoisting mechanisms.

Overview of Types of Elevators
• Traction (Electric)
 Geared Traction
Drive shaft is connected to the sheave
by gears in a gear box. Geared traction
systems are designed to operate in the
range of 100 to 500 fpm, which restricts
their use to mid rise buildings.

• Traction (Electric)
 Geared Traction
 Gearless Traction
Gearless traction systems are designed
to operate in the range of 350 to 1200
fpm and typically installed in high-rise
buildings. Greater speeds are also
available.

• Hydraulic
 Holed Hydraulic
In-ground cylinder extends to a depth
equal to the rise of the elevator cab.
Current codes require double-bottom
cylinders with leak detection and
containment.

Overview of Types of Elevators
• Hydraulic
 Holed Hydraulic
 Holeless Hydraulic
Holeless hydraulic elevators use a
telescoping hydraulic piston as the
driving machine, eliminating the need
for an in-ground cylinder. Currently
limited to a height of about 3 stories.

• Hydraulic
 Holed Hydraulic
 Holeless Hydraulic
 Roped Hydraulic
Roped holeless hydraulic elevators use
a telescoping hydraulic piston and a
hoist rope and pulley system to increase
speed and travel heights.

Elevator Components & DescriptionsElevator Components & Descriptions
•• Machine RoomMachine Room
•• CabsCabs
•• HoistwayHoistway/Pits/Pits
Major ComponentsMajor Components
Machine rooms for traction elevators generally
located directly above the hoistway. Hydraulic
elevator machine rooms typically located at the
basement or lowest level adjacent to the hoistway.

Hydraulic ElevatorsHydraulic Elevators
Telescoping Plunger
Above-Ground
Cylinder
Hydraulic Tank /
Controller
Car Buffer

•• Hoist MachineHoist Machine
Machine RoomMachine Room
Can be geared traction machines
in which the power from the
motor is transmitted to the drive
sheave through reduction gears,
or a gearless machine in which
the hoist ropes pass over a
traction drive sheave which is an
integral part of the armature.
The grooved wheel of a traction-type hoisting machine over which
the hoist ropes pass, and by which motion is imparted to the car and
counterweight by the hoist ropes.

•• Hoist MotorHoist Motor
Also called drive machines and
used for traction elevators.
They are the power units that
apply the energy to the hoist
machines. Can be AC or DC.

•• Hoist Machine
• Hoist Motor
•• GeneratorGenerator
Generators are electro-
mechanical devices that
convert mechanical energy
to electrical energy (usually
direct current).

•• HoistHoist MachineMachine
•• GovernorGovernor
A mechanical speed control mechanism. Usually a wire-rope driven
centrifugal device used to stop and hold the movement of its driving
rope. This initiates the activation of the car safety device. It opens a
switch which cuts off power to the drive motor and brake if the car
travels at a preset overspeed in the down direction.

•• ControllersControllers
A device, or group of devices, which serve to control, in a
predetermined manner, the floor selection, drive speeds, car
selection and general operation of the elevators.

•• HoistHoist MachineMachine
•• ControllersControllers
•• DisconnectsDisconnects
Switches to disconnect the power to the controller and cab lights and
located in the machine room.

•• Roller GuidesRoller Guides
HoistwayHoistway / Pits/ Pits
Roller guides or guide rails are
steel T-section with machined
guiding surfaces installed
vertically in a hoistway to guide
and direct the course of travel
of an elevator car and elevator
counterweights.

•• CounterweightsCounterweights
A weight that counter-balances the
weight of an elevator car plus
approximately 40% of the capacity
load.

•• Door InterlocksDoor Interlocks
An electro-mechanical device that prevents operation of an elevator
unless the hoistway doors are in the closed and locked position; and
prevents opening of a hoistway door from the landing side unless the
elevator is in the landing zone and is either stopped or being stopped.

•• TopTop--ofof--Car StationCar Station
Controls on the top of the car used by an elevator maintenance
contractor to operate the car at inspection speed. It provides a
means of operating an elevator from on top of the car at slow speed
during adjustment, inspection, maintenance and repair.

•• Top of Car StationTop of Car Station
•• BuffersBuffers
A device designed to stop a descending car beyond its normal limit
of travel by storing or by absorbing and dissipating the kinetic
energy of the car. Spring buffers are used for elevators with speeds
less than 200 fpm. Oil buffers (for speeds greater than 200 fpm) use a
combination of oil and spring to cushion the elevator.

•• Cab FinishesCab Finishes
Elevator CabsElevator Cabs
Decorative features in a
passenger elevator including
carpet or other flooring, wall
panels, door finishes, ceilings
and lighting.

•• Cab ControlsCab Controls
A car-operating panel with a
faceplate that is mounted in a fixed
(non-swing) panel or sidewall.

•• Safety FeaturesSafety Features
 PhonesPhones
 Door Safety EdgesDoor Safety Edges
Two way communication devices in the
cab required by ADA and national
elevator codes for safety.

 PhonesPhones
A door protective and automatic door reopening device, used with
automatic power door operators.

 PhonesPhones
•• Door OperatorsDoor Operators
The Door Operator monitors the
speed and position of the car
doors and compares performance
against standards. Deviations in
kinetic energy during door travel
is corrected within milliseconds.

Preliminary Design or Design ConsiderationPreliminary Design or Design Consideration
P.S: Complete description refer NBCP.S: Complete description refer NBC--2005 (Part2005 (Part –– 8)8)
•• No. of lifts andNo. of lifts and hhandling capacityandling capacity
 NumberNumber of floors to be served by theof floors to be served by the lift; Floorlift; Floor toto
floor distance;floor distance;
 Population of each floor to be serve~Population of each floor to be serve~ and Maximumand Maximum
peak demand; this demandpeak demand; this demand maybe unidirectionalmaybe unidirectional, as, as
in up and downin up and down peak periodspeak periods, or a two, or a two--way trafficway traffic
movement.movement.
•• Preliminary LiftPreliminary Lift PlanningPlanning
 population or the number of peoplepopulation or the number of people who requirewho require liftlift
serviceservice

Design ConsiderationDesign Consideration
 handlinghandling capacity of the maximum flowcapacity of the maximum flow rate requiredrate required
by these people.by these people.
 intervalinterval or the quality of service requiredor the quality of service required..
•• PopulationPopulation
AverageAverage population densitypopulation density can vary from about one person per 4 mcan vary from about one person per 4 m22
to oneto one person per 20 mperson per 20 m22
•• Quantity of serviceQuantity of service

•• Quality of serviceQuality of service
•• Traffic peakTraffic peak
•• CapacityCapacity
The minimum size of car recommended for a single purpose buildingsThe minimum size of car recommended for a single purpose buildings
is one suitable for a duty load of 884 kg. Generally, for large officeis one suitable for a duty load of 884 kg. Generally, for large office
buildings cars with capacities up to 2040 kg are recommendedbuildings cars with capacities up to 2040 kg are recommended
according to the requirements.according to the requirements.

•• SpeedSpeed
•• LayoutLayout

The handling capacity is calculated byThe handling capacity is calculated by the following formula:the following formula:
H=(H=(3OOXQX1OO/(3OOXQX1OO/(TxPTxP))
wherewhere
H = Handling capacity as the percentage of theH = Handling capacity as the percentage of the
peak population handled during 5peak population handled during 5 min periodmin period,,
Q = Average number of passengers carried inQ = Average number of passengers carried in a cara car,,
T = Waiting interval in seconds, andT = Waiting interval in seconds, and
P = Total population to be handled during peakP = Total population to be handled during peak
morning period. (It is related to themorning period. (It is related to the area servedarea served by aby a
particular bank ofparticular bank of lifts).lifts).
Preliminary Design of ElevatorPreliminary Design of Elevator

••The waiting interval is calculated by the followingThe waiting interval is calculated by the following
formula:formula:
T= RTT/NT= RTT/N
wherewhere
T = Waiting interval in seconds,T = Waiting interval in seconds,
N = Number of lifts, andN = Number of lifts, and
RTTRTT == RoundRound triptrip time,time, thatthat is,is, thethe averageaverage timetime requiredrequired byby
eacheach liftlift inin takingtaking oneone fullfull loadload ofof passengerspassengers fromfrom groundground
floor,floor, dischargingdischarging themthem inin variousvarious upperupper floorsfloors andand comingcoming
backback toto groundground floorfloor forfor takingtaking freshfresh passengerspassengers forfor thethe nextnext
triptrip
Preliminary Design of ElevatorPreliminary Design of Elevator

Escalator
Escalator — A power driven, inclined, continuous stairway
used for raising or lowering passengers.
 Named Escalator by Charles
Seeberger in 1897 by combining
the latin word for steps “scala” and
elevator
 Charles Seeberger sold rights
to Otis Elevator Company in 1902
which is currently the dominant player in the industry.
 Most applications include department stores, airports,
shopping malls, convention centers, hotels, and public
buildings
 One of the largest, most expensive machines people use
on a regular basis, but also one of the simplest.

Escalator Installation
It includes the escalator, the track, the trusses or girders,
the balustrading, the step treads and landings and all
chains, wires and machinery directly connected with the
operation of the escalator.

Features of escalator (Benefits)
 Escalators are required to provide continuous mass transport
of people.
 Escalators in department stores rise at an angle of between
(30°-35°). The 35° escalator is more economical, as it takes
up less surface area.
 Have the capacity to move large numbers of people, and they
can be placed in the same physical space as one might install
a staircase.
 Have no waiting interval (except during very heavy traffic)
 They can be used to guide people toward main exits or
special exhibits, and may be weatherproofed for outdoor use.
 Escalator speeds vary from 90 – 180 ft per minute, an
escalator moving 145 ft per minute can carry more that 10,000
people in an hour

Escalator operation and operating guidelines
 As the escalators operate at a constant speed, serve only two levels
and have a known maximum capacity, the traffic study is rather easy.
Provided the population to be handled in a given time is known, it is
easy to predict the rate at which the population can be handled.
 Regularly (at least monthly) apply a silicone friction reducer on skirt
panels
 Document any unusual noises or vibrations.
 Remove any debris
 Monitor for broken comb teeth
 Always remove the start-up key from the "on” direction.
 If an escalator or moving walkway makes an automatic emergency
stop, perform a detailed equipment check before returning to
operation.
 Do not permit overloading of passengers or freight.
 Do not permit the use of an inoperative escalator as a stairway

 For normal peak periods, the recommended handling capacities for
design purposes should be taken as 3200 to 6400 persons per hour
depending upon the width of the escalator.
 In accordance with a worldwide standard, the width of the step to be
used is 60 cm (for one person width)80 cm (for one- to two people
width) and 100 cm (for two people width).
 The theoretical capacity then is: 3 600x (rated speed in m/s x k)/O.4
 K = 1, 1.5 or 2 for 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 m step widths.

Ramps
 Ramps are sloping surface that can be used to provide an easy
connection from floor to floor especially when large numbers of
people or vehicles are moving from time to time.
 Ramps are adopted for buildings, such as stadiums, railroad
stations, exhibition halls, garage buildings, etc.
 it is generally built with slopes up to 15% (15 cm in 100 cm) but
10% is preferred. With 10% slope and a storey height of 12 feet
a ramp connecting two floors would have to be 120 feet long.
 It can be curved, zigzagged, u-shaped or spiraled and bin all
cases should be constructed with a non-slip surface.

 An exterior location is preferred for ramps. Indoor ramps are not
recommended because they take up a great deal of space.
 Ideally, the entrance to a ramp should be immediately adjacent
to the stairs.
 Ramps configuration

 Width
The minimum width should be 0.90 m.
 Slope

 Landings
 Ramps should be provided with landings for resting,
maneuvering and avoiding excessive speed.
 Landings should be provided every 10.00 m, at every change of
direction and at the top and bottom of every ramp.
 Handrail
A protective handrail at least 0.40 m
 Surface
The ramp surface should be hard and non-slip.
 Tactile marking
A colored textural indication at the top and bottom of the ramp
should be placed to alert sightless people as to the location of the
ramp.
The marking strip width should not be less than 0.60 m.

References
 B.C. Punmia; Ashok Kumar Jain; Arun Kumar Jain (2005).
“Building Construction." . Lakshmi Publishers Limited, New
Delhi – 110002.
 National Building Code (2005) Published By Bureau of
Indian Standards, Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar
Marg, NEW DELHI 110002.
 http://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en

Vertical Transportation Systems in Buildings by Ramesh Nayaka

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