Hospital Elevators: A Complete Guide

In hospitals, a high-density, high-demand place, elevators are not only the core tool of vertical transportation, but also an important part of the lifeline. From transporting critically ill patients to emergency medical equipment, the design and function of hospital elevators are directly related to the efficiency and safety of medical

Hospital Elevators: A Complete Guide

Table of Contents

In hospitals, a high-density, high-demand place, elevators are not only the core tool of vertical transportation, but also an important part of the lifeline. From transporting critically ill patients to emergency medical equipment, the design and function of hospital elevators are directly related to the efficiency and safety of medical services.

What is a hospital elevator? How is it different?

Hospital Elevator is a special elevator dedicated to medical institutions (such as general hospitals, emergency centers, and specialist clinics). Its core task is to safely transport beds (Bed Elevator in Hospital), stretchers, medical equipment and personnel. According to the ISO 22559 standard, hospital elevators must meet the following scenario requirements:

Patient transportation: must accommodate standard beds (usually 2000mm×900mm in size)

Emergency response: support “Code Blue” priority dispatch (First Aid Code Blue Alert)

Hygiene prevention and control: use antibacterial materials to reduce the risk of cross infection

 

What are the core functions of hospital elevators?

Functional design

Smooth operation: Adopt vector variable frequency drive technology (VFD) to achieve acceleration below 0.2m/s² to avoid patient discomfort.

Intelligent scheduling: The nurse station can trigger the “medical priority mode” with one button to suspend calls from other floors.

Safety enhancement

Dual brake system: Electromagnetic brake + mechanical brake redundant design to prevent free fall.

Antibacterial interior: BDFUJI elevator uses Ag+ ion plating panel with an antibacterial rate of >99.9%.

 Humanized configuration

Voice feedback: After the emergency button is triggered, it automatically broadcasts “connected to the duty room”.

Barrier-free design: Braille button + voice navigation (compliant with ADA standards).

Analogy: Hospital elevators are like “mobile ICUs” – they need speed, stability and cleanliness.

Hospital Elevator

Practical application scenarios of hospital elevators

Scenario Functional Requirement BDFUJI Solution
Patient Transport Stretcher fixtures + vital signs monitoring Built-in oxygen port + ECG display panel
Medical Waste Transfer Dedicated freight elevator + airtight cabin doors HEPA ventilation system (PM0.3 filtration)
Emergency Response Code-priority dispatch + backup power Dual UPS system (72-hour runtime)

Key questions:

How ​​to prevent cross infection? ✔️ The elevator in the infectious disease area is equipped with a UV-C ultraviolet circulation disinfection module.

How are hospital elevators different from ordinary elevators?

Unlike standard passenger elevators, hospital elevators must be able to accommodate stretchers, wheelchairs and emergency personnel. This means that elevators need larger cabins, wider doors, stronger durability and antibacterial interiors. They often feature emergency dispatch systems that allow medical teams to bypass regular call queues.

Key features and requirements for hospital elevators

  • Key insight: The efficiency of hospital elevators depends on their design, safety features, and ability to fit into fast-paced medical workflows.

Here are some of the most important requirements for hospital elevators:

  • Spacious cabin: Must be able to accommodate stretchers and medical staff (typically 1600-2500 kg)
  • Wide door: Typically 1100 mm or more for easy entry and exit
  • Antimicrobial surfaces: Easy to clean and disinfect
  • Power backup: Ensures operation during power outages
  • Emergency call system: Voice intercom directly connected to nursing stations
  • Smooth acceleration: Ensures patient comfort, especially after surgery

✅ Tip: Hospital elevators must meet accessibility and hygiene standards according to global standards such as EN81-70 and ASME A17.1.

Common sizes and load capacities

The right elevator size directly affects the availability of hospital operations.

Recommended range of specifications

  • Car depth 2100–2400 mm
  • Car width 1100–1400 mm
  • Minimum door width 1100 mm
  • Load capacity 1600–2500 kg
  • Minimum required shaft width ~2200 mm

These hospital elevator dimensions ensure that beds, trolleys, and stretchers can be smoothly transported in, out, and turned around in the car.

Why hospitals need dedicated elevators

From emergency care to surgical logistics, hospital elevators support almost all functions of a healthcare facility.

Key use cases include:

  • Bed transfer: especially from the ICU to the surgical ward or radiology department
  • Patient mobility: Reduce fatigue and improve workflow
  • Equipment and drug delivery: Sterile transportation of high-value equipment
  • Waste sorting: Dedicated elevators reduce contamination risks

Some hospitals even designate “clean elevators” and “dirty elevators” to prevent cross-contamination, especially in infectious disease wards.

Safety and hygiene of hospital elevators

Patient protection starts with elevator safety and clean design.

Key features include:

  • Emergency backup battery (UPS)
  • Fire doors and sensors
  • Antibacterial interior coating and non-slip flooring
  • Infrared door protection to prevent pinching
  • Ventilation system to reduce airborne risk

✅ BDFUJI hospital elevators are equipped with antibacterial panels, HEPA filtered airflow and optional UVC car disinfection lights to further reduce the spread of infection.

Maintenance, inspection and monitoring

Key insight: Regular inspections ensure that the elevator is operating properly and in compliance with legal regulations.

Hospitals typically require monthly maintenance and annual certification inspections, including:

  • Brake testing and door speed calibration
  • Safety device lubrication
  • Car leveling accuracy
  • Emergency intercom and power failure simulation

Some elevators also support IoT monitoring, which enables remote diagnosis and predictive maintenance.

How to choose the right hospital elevator

Elevator type and function should match the size, passenger flow and specialization of the hospital.

Hospital bed elevator

Heavy-duty, stretcher-friendly car with noise reduction design.

Best for: general wards, emergency floors, ICU.

Machine room-less hospital elevator

No need for a separate machine room, saving space.

Scope of application: urban hospitals with limited building height.

Clean room elevator

Airtight, dust-proof elevator for operating rooms and laboratories.

Scope of application: laboratories, sterilization units, operating rooms.

✅ BDFUJI provides all of the above types of elevators and can customize them according to the specific needs of the hospital, including shaft design and intelligent scheduling system.

Trustworthy hospital elevator manufacturer

Choose a hospital elevator supplier with medical-grade experience and certification.

7.1 Core evaluation dimensions

Metric Standard BDFUJI Advantage
Certification EN 81-70 (Specialized standard for medical elevators) Among the first globally certified under ISO 22559-2023
Customization Supports non-standard dimensions and modular features Full-range customization from 1600kg to 5000kg capacity
Service Network ≥90% emergency response coverage within 2 hours 247 service centers across 52 countries

7.2 Budget Planning Recommendation

Sample Cost Breakdown (based on a 2000kg hospital elevator)

 

Item Percentage Description
Equipment Procurement 50% Includes anti-bacterial coating and smart dispatch system
Installation & Commissioning 30% Covers structural reinforcement and power system upgrades
Maintenance Reserve 20% Includes first-year maintenance and consumables replacement

Why choose BDFUJI?

As one of the leading hospital elevator suppliers, BDFUJI provides:

  • Fully customizable hospital elevators
  • Antibacterial stainless steel interiors
  • CE and ISO certified safety components
  • Localized support covering more than 30 countries
  • Code Blue integration and remote monitoring options

The role of hospital elevators is not only to transport people, but also to transport patients safely, quickly and reliably at critical moments. Its design must take into account functionality, safety and hygiene. Whether it is intelligent dispatching to respond to emergency emergencies or antibacterial technology to resist the spread of pathogens, BDFUJI provides reliable solutions for medical institutions around the world through innovative technologies. When choosing a hospital elevator, be sure to give priority to manufacturers with full life cycle service capabilities.

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