Elevator installation is a crucial part of construction projects. Its process is complex and involves coordination in many aspects.
We have compiled a passenger elevator installation guide to help you fully understand the entire elevator installation process.
Elevator Installation Process Quick Preview Table
| Installation Phase | Main Steps | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Preparation | Drawing Review, Equipment Acceptance, Tool Preparation | Ensure the shaft meets requirements, equipment is complete, and tools are adequate |
| Shaft Construction and Renovation | Civil Renovation, Guide Rail Installation, Shaft Protection | Ensure structural stability, vertical alignment, and prevention of falling objects |
| Elevator Equipment Installation | Traction Machine Installation, Guide Rail and Counterweight Installation | Stable drive system, vertical guide rails, and secure equipment connections |
| Electrical System Debugging | Wiring Configuration, Control Cabinet Installation, Power Access | Voltage matching, normal signal, and responsive control panel |
| Safety Inspection and Testing | Speed Limiter Detection, Load Test, Emergency Device Check | Reliable braking, precise leveling, and correct power switching |
| Acceptance and Handover | Operation Monitoring, Safety Certification, Operation Training | Acceptance qualified, license processing, and standard operation procedures |
6 Main Steps of Elevator Installation
1. Preliminary Preparations
Before the official start of the elevator installation, preliminary preparations must be carried out. This step is crucial to ensure that the subsequent installation can proceed smoothly.
Construction Drawing Review:
Before installing the elevator, the drawings must be reviewed first, focusing on whether the design of the elevator shaft, machine room, and pit meets the specific requirements of the elevator, whether the building structure is stable, and whether the waterproof treatment of the elevator pit and the load-bearing capacity of the elevator machine room meet the standards. If the layout is unreasonable or the structure does not meet the standards, it may lead to rework, affect the installation progress, and even endanger safety.
Elevator On-Site Acceptance:
When the elevator arrives on site, you can check each part according to the elevator parts list to ensure that the quantity and specifications are correct, avoiding installation delays caused by missing or damaged parts.
2. Elevator Shaft Construction and Renovation
The construction and renovation of the elevator shaft include civil engineering renovation, guide rail installation, and shaft protection. Each step directly affects the operating stability of the elevator, so it must be performed accurately and meticulously.
3. Elevator Equipment Installation
After completing the shaft construction and renovation, proceed to the elevator equipment installation stage. This step must be executed strictly in accordance with the installation manual to ensure that the equipment is accurately positioned and securely connected, maintaining stability and safety during elevator operation.
In particular, the guide rails must be absolutely vertical. The installation of the counterweight system must also ensure that the counterweight is reasonable to effectively balance the weight of the elevator car and prevent vertical shaking.
4. Electrical System Debugging
After the equipment installation, the electrical system must be debugged. This mainly includes wiring configuration, electrical control installation, and power access to ensure stable elevator operation under different load conditions.
5. Safety Inspection and Operation Test
After the elevator installation, a series of safety inspections and operation tests are conducted to ensure the equipment’s reliability during formal use.
Speed Limiter and Brake Device Detection:
The speed limiter is a key component that prevents the elevator from overspeeding and falling. During testing, the braking effect is verified by simulating overspeeding to ensure quick stopping in emergencies. The brake device’s sensitivity directly affects passenger safety, so after multiple tests, the brake system should be lubricated and tightened.
Balance Coefficient Test:
To verify the stability of the counterweight system, full load and half load balance tests are conducted. The elevator must maintain smooth upward and downward movement without noticeable shaking or tilting under different load conditions.
6. Acceptance and Delivery
After completing the installation and commissioning, the elevator enters the acceptance and delivery stage. During this phase, the elevator’s operating performance is tested under various loads and speeds to check whether starting, stopping, and leveling alignment are normal. Testing on multiple floors ensures that button operations and floor displays are accurate, minimizing safety issues during daily use.
Safety Certification and Compliance Review:
After installation, an acceptance report is submitted to the special equipment management department, and a special equipment use license is applied for. The elevator can be officially put into use after passing the review.
Operation Training:
Before delivery, detailed operation training is provided to property management personnel, covering daily operation procedures, emergency handling, and maintenance precautions. Upon completion, ensure that operators can independently perform basic operations and emergency rescues, reducing the risk of operational issues later.
Installation Time and Progress Management
Installation cycle:
- Preliminary preparation: 1-2 weeks
- Equipment installation: 4-6 weeks
- Commissioning and acceptance: 2-3 weeks
Influencing factors:
- Building structure complexity
- Elevator type (hydraulic, electric, machine roomless)
- Construction team experience
How Long Does It Take to Install an Elevator?
Standard installation cycle:
- Preliminary preparation: 1-2 weeks
- Equipment installation: 4-6 weeks
- Commissioning and acceptance: 2-3 weeks
Influencing factors:
- Building structure complexity
- Elevator type (hydraulic, electric, machine roomless)
- Construction team experience
Elevator Installation Cost Structure and Quotation Strategy
| Cost Category | Cost Range | Influencing Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Procurement | $20,000 – $50,000 | Elevator brand and configuration |
| Construction and Installation | $8,000 – $15,000 | Construction complexity and labor cost |
| Commissioning and Inspection | $1,500 – $3,000 | Number of inspections and debugging complexity |
| Maintenance Contract | $1,000 – $2,500/year | Duration and maintenance service level |
How to Accept the Elevator After Installation
Overview of Acceptance Projects
After the elevator is installed, acceptance is a key link to ensure the safety, stability, and compliance of the elevator. Through a systematic acceptance process, equipment problems can be discovered in a timely manner to ensure normal operation and safe use in the future.
Main Inspection Contents of Elevator Installation Acceptance
1. Operation performance test
Inspection points:
- Start and stop stability: The elevator has no obvious shaking or emergency stop when starting and stopping.
- Start and stop smoothness: The speed is stable when rising and falling, without obvious setbacks.
- Floor station alignment accuracy: When stopping at the floor, the height error does not exceed ±5mm.
Test method:
- No-load test: Run without passengers and check stability.
- Full load test: Simulate the maximum load and observe whether the equipment operates normally.
Safety device inspection
- Speed limiter detection:Test whether the speed limiter can effectively brake when the elevator is overspeeding to prevent falling accidents.
- Brake test:Under emergency stop operation, the brake should take effect immediately to ensure that the elevator does not continue to slide.
- Emergency power supply detection:Simulate a power outage environment and test whether the backup power supply can be connected within 3 seconds to ensure the safe parking of the elevator.
- Overload protection detection:When the elevator is overloaded, an alarm should be sounded and the elevator should stop automatically.
Electrical system detection
- Circuit connection check:Check whether the cable is grounded and the connection is tight to prevent false connection and leakage.
- Voltage stability detection:Test whether the voltage is stable under different loads to avoid failures caused by current fluctuations.
- Short circuit protection test:Check the control cabinet and drive module to ensure that there is no short circuit or overload.
Appearance and accessories inspection
- Car appearance inspection:There are no scratches and dents on the surface of the car, and the decorative panel is flat.
- Floor door and operation panel:The button is responsive and the floor display is correct.
- Signs and warning labels:All safety signs are clearly visible, and the emergency button is marked prominently.
Document and compliance review
- Installation record:Includes equipment model, installation date, construction party information, etc.
- Test report:Issued by a third-party testing agency, including data such as leveling error, speed limit detection, and brake test.
- Certificate of qualification:After acceptance, a certificate of qualification will be issued by a special equipment inspection agency.
- Signature confirmation:The construction party, the supervision party, and the owner’s representative jointly sign to confirm that the acceptance is qualified.
Things to Note After Acceptance
After the installation of the elevator is completed, acceptance does not mean that the work is over. In order to ensure the safety and stability of the elevator in actual use, operation training, maintenance plan formulation, and certificate filing are also required. These measures can effectively reduce safety hazards in operation and increase the service life of the equipment.
The training targets are usually property management personnel, operators, and safety managers. These people are directly responsible for the daily management and operation of the elevator, so it is particularly important to master basic operation and emergency handling skills. Through training, downtime or safety accidents caused by operational errors can be greatly reduced.
In the Middle East project of BDFUJI Elevator, after the installation acceptance was completed, BDFUJI engineers arranged a 3-hour operation training for the owner team. Through theoretical explanations and practical exercises, the operators fully mastered the elevator operation and fault response skills. It has been proven that trained operators are more professional and calm in daily maintenance and emergency event handling, effectively reducing the unexpected downtime rate in elevator operation.
2. Maintenance Plan
It is very necessary to formulate a regular maintenance plan immediately after the elevator is accepted. Many elevator failures are not sudden but are problems that gradually accumulate due to insufficient daily maintenance. Therefore, a scientific and reasonable maintenance plan can effectively reduce operating risks and extend the service life of the equipment.
| Maintenance Type | Maintenance Frequency | Maintenance Items | Maintenance Focus | Precautions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterly Maintenance | Every 3 months | Wire rope lubrication, guide rail cleaning, electrical control system inspection | Ensure sufficient wire rope lubrication, clean guide rails, and proper functioning of the control system | Use specialized lubricating oil and clean dust and grease from guide rail surfaces |
| Annual Maintenance | Every 12 months | Traction machine maintenance, guide rail fastening, electrical circuit inspection | Replace traction machine lubricating oil, check guide rail bolts, and troubleshoot electrical issues | Choose high-temperature-resistant oil to prevent evaporation |
| Key Component Maintenance | Based on equipment condition | Traction machine, guide rail, control cabinet, operation panel | Prevent traction machine overheating, maintain smooth guide rails, check button responsiveness | Avoid contaminating guide rails with oil when lubricating the traction machine |
| Routine Inspection | Daily or weekly | Button sensitivity test, display accuracy check | Quick button response, no error codes or fault alarms on the display | Check for loose control panels and ensure normal display brightness |
3. Certificate Filing
After acceptance, before the elevator is officially put into use, a special equipment use license must be obtained. This is a necessary condition to ensure the legal operation of the elevator. The lack of a license is not only illegal but may also bring safety hazards.
When preparing to apply for a certificate, you must first confirm whether the acceptance report, test records, and operation training records are complete. These materials will be submitted to the special equipment supervision and management department for review as the basis for the legal use of the elevator. Usually, it takes about 1-2 weeks from submitting materials to issuing certificates, so preparing documents in advance can save time.
After completing the certificate application, the documents must be archived. Elevator installation records, test reports, training manuals, and other materials should be uniformly organized and properly preserved to facilitate subsequent maintenance and annual inspections.
Certificate filing is not only a legal requirement but also a guarantee of equipment safety. Through legal and compliant operations, safety inspection hazards by later regulatory authorities can be effectively avoided.
FAQs About the Installation Process
Elevator installation is a complex and demanding project. A little carelessness can lead to safety hazards or difficulties in later maintenance. Here are some common problems and solutions:
1. How to Choose the Installation Location of the Elevator?
When choosing the installation location, the building structure and frequency of use should be considered comprehensively. Usually, the best location is next to the stairwell or the building core tube, which can reduce the cost of shaft construction and improve passenger convenience.
2. How to Deal With the Removal of Old Elevators?
Before installing a new elevator, the old elevator must be removed first. This usually includes equipment disassembly, electrical disconnection, shaft cleaning, etc. During removal, the safety operation specifications should be strictly followed to avoid mechanical injuries or electric shock accidents.
3. How to Control Noise and Dust During Construction?
Noise and dust are inevitable during the construction stage. The impact can be mitigated by installing soundproof enclosures and using low-noise machinery. Wet operations in high-dust areas can effectively control dust diffusion.
4. How Long After Installation Can It Be Put Into Use?
Generally speaking, after the elevator is installed, it must pass acceptance and safety inspections, and apply for a special equipment use license. The entire process takes about 1-2 weeks. During this period, it is strictly forbidden to put it into use without authorization to avoid legal liability and safety accidents.
Elevator installation is a complex and critical process. Scientific and reasonable process planning is the basis for ensuring the long-term safe operation of the elevator. Through professional team construction and strict acceptance, faults and safety hazards can be effectively reduced.
