Here’s a detailed Elevator Sizes Guide to help you choose the right elevator based on building type, use case, and compliance standards (especially ADA and commercial building codes):
🏢 Standard Elevator Sizes by Type
| Elevator Type | Typical Cab Size (W x D) | Door Width | Weight Capacity | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Elevator | 36″ x 48″ – 40″ x 54″ | 32″ – 36″ | 500 – 1,000 lbs | Homes, small apartments |
| Passenger Elevator | 48″ x 54″ – 60″ x 72″ | 36″ – 42″ | 2,000 – 5,000 lbs | Offices, malls, hotels |
| ADA Compliant Elevator | Minimum 51″ x 80″ | 36″ min door | 2,500+ lbs | Required in public buildings |
| Hospital/Service Elevator | 84″ x 84″ or larger | 42″ – 48″ | 4,500 – 6,000+ lbs | Hospitals, freight, service use |
| Freight Elevator (Class C) | 8′ x 10′ or larger | Up to 96″ | 6,000 – 20,000+ lbs | Warehouses, factories |
| Wheelchair Lift / LULA | 36″ x 60″ (min) | 36″ | 750 – 1,400 lbs | Small buildings, accessibility |
♿️ ADA Elevator Requirements (U.S.)
For public or commercial buildings:
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Cab size: At least 51″ deep x 80″ wide
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Clear floor space: Enough for a 30″ x 48″ wheelchair
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Door width: Minimum 36″ clear opening
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Controls: Between 15″ and 48″ from the floor and reachable from a seated position
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Audible/visual signals: Required for each floor and direction
📐 Custom & Specialty Elevator Sizes
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Glass elevators, panoramic cabs, or luxury home lifts often have custom dimensions.
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Vertical platform lifts (VPLs) and LULA elevators (limited use/limited application) are great for buildings with space constraints but still need accessibility.
🧮 Choosing the Right Size: Key Questions
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How many people or what weight must it carry?
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Is the elevator ADA-compliant?
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Does it need to fit large items (gurneys, equipment, pallets)?
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What is your building type and available shaft space?
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) elevator requirements, as of 2025, focusing on the key rules for public, commercial, and multi-family residential buildings.
♿ ADA Elevator Requirements (2025 Edition)
🔷 General Applicability
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ADA elevator standards apply to all new construction or major renovations of:
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Public buildings
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Commercial properties
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Multi-family residential buildings with 4+ units
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Private single-family homes are exempt unless being made publicly accessible.
📏 Cab Size Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum Standard |
|---|---|
| Cab Width (clear inside) | 51 inches |
| Cab Depth (clear inside) | 80 inches |
| Turning Space | Must allow a wheelchair 360° turn radius (60″) if not through-access |
| Through Cab Clearance | If entry/exit on opposite sides, 51″ x 80″ suffices |
🚪 Door Requirements
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Clear door width: Minimum 36 inches
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Dwell time: Doors must remain open long enough for someone using a mobility aid to enter
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Reopening mechanism: Must detect obstructions and reopen automatically
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Call buttons (hall stations):
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Mounted between 15″–48″ above the floor
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Braille/tactile characters required
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Visual and audible signals for up/down direction
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🎛️ Control Panel Requirements
| Feature | Standard |
|---|---|
| Button height | 15″–48″ above floor (if forward reach) |
| Tactile characters | Raised lettering + Braille on all controls |
| Visual indicators | Illuminated floor numbers |
| Audible indicators | Voice announces floor level & direction |
| Emergency communication | Must be usable without voice (visual indicators, text, or video call supported as of 2025) |
🔊 Auditory & Visual Features
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Directional indicators: Tone & light indicate the car’s arrival and direction
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Floor arrival announcement: Must be audible and visible
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Emergency alarms: Must include visual strobe for deaf/hard-of-hearing users
Exceptions & Small Buildings
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Buildings under 3 stories or under 3,000 sq. ft. per floor may be exempt if not serving public spaces like medical offices or transportation centers.
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Even in exempt buildings, a wheelchair lift or LULA elevator may be required for accessibility.
✅ Example: Minimum ADA-Compliant Elevator Specs
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Cab Size: 51″ deep x 80″ wide
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Door: 36″ wide
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Controls: Reachable at 15″–48″, tactile and visual labels
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Turning space: 60″ if only one door
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