Definition between ELEVATOR and LIFT
What is an Elevator
An elevator is a vehicle designed to raise, lower or move, using a special device, goods in warehouses, buildings, people, etc. Its main difference with an elevator is speed and maintenance .
What is a hydraulic elevator?
For its part, the elevator is a vehicle in which the energy required to lift the load is transmitted by a pump with an electric drive motor that transmits hydraulic fluid to a cylinder that acts directly or indirectly on the cabin (several motors, pumps and/or cylinders can also be used).
What is the speed of an elevator and an elevator?
Currently, standard elevators can have speeds from 0.2 m/s to 1 m/s , and can reach higher speeds for longer distances. However, elevators can only reach 0.15 m/s if they comply with European regulations , or 0.3 m/s if they are not required to do so .
Periodic inspections in an elevator
When installing an elevator, it's important to keep in mind that the technical and safety requirements are more stringent. These requirements must pass periodic inspections, which, among other things, verify that the elevator is undergoing monthly maintenance checks . The elevator also requires maintenance, although not as frequently; it will be performed once every three months .
Power supply
Elevators are typically powered by three-phase electricity, although in some cases, where they operate at a slower speed, it may be single-phase . Elevators usually operate with single-phase electricity.
Are the regulations for an elevator the same as those for an elevator?
Regarding regulations, elevator installation must comply with Directive 2014/33/EU and Standards EN-81.20 and EN.81.50 . Elevators , on the other hand, are governed by the Machinery Directive 2006/42 .
In short, elevators are usually installed in single-family homes or places with less traffic, while lifts are usually installed in apartment buildings, office buildings, public places, etc., where traffic and use are more intense.
Comparative table with the differences between an elevator and an lift
If you want to see more information, we invite you to read the article differences between an elevator and a lift .
64 comments
I liked it. And the best thing is the differences that are better understood from there, such as the regularity of maintenance or the legislation that regulates its operation.
Thank you very much for your comment. We believe that it is worth explaining the differences that exist between both concepts since they are based on different concepts.
All the best!
Thank you for pointing out the differences... I work in a call center and it is to give general information, and there is always the idiot who calls to ask or request information that no one knows. You made my day by rubbing the differences between the two of us in their faces over the phone... thank you...
Hello Manuel,
We are glad that the article was helpful to you! If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us again.
Greetings!
Hello,
I have a question, do you know if there is any regulation that requires the use of an elevator instead of a lift in a public building of less than 350m2 (childcare centre) and consisting of a ground floor and one floor where there are only two classrooms?
thank you so much
Good morning Anna,
We are not aware of any regulations requiring the installation of a lift instead of an elevator in a public building. We believe that it is possible to install an elevator in the children's centre.
Greetings!
I FIND THE DEVELOPMENT YOU HAVE EXPLAINED ON THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ELEVATORS AND LIFTS VERY INTERESTING.
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SOLUTION TO:
IS SELLING LIFTING EQUIPMENT MORE ECONOMICAL THAN AN ELEVATOR?
AND IN YOUR CASE, IF THE DECISION TO INSTALL A DEVICE DEPENDED ON YOU, WHICH OPTION WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COLLABORATION.
Good morning Jose Manuel,
The market price of a lifting platform, because it does not have the same characteristics and does not have to comply with the regulations of an elevator, is substantially lower.
The decision to install a platform lift or an elevator must be assessed from several aspects: whether it is a home for private or public use, the number of stops, the interior or exterior location, the dimensions, security, etc. For this reason, we recommend that it is best to seek advice from an elevator specialist who will recommend the best solution for each installation.
Greetings!
My company wants to develop elevators for plasma and LCD TVs. Could this be possible in your company?
Good morning Edward,
Thank you for the offer, but we are manufacturers of hydraulic equipment. However, if you send us information about these components, I can forward it to the technical department so that they have information about your products.
Greetings,
I have had a hydraulic lift installed in my single-family home for 4/5 years. It has detectors in the shafts that stop the lift immediately if the barrier is crossed.
Having this security measure, am I obliged to keep the button pressed constantly, or will the detector be sufficient?
On the other hand, how much can the speed be increased?
Thank you for your reply.
Hello Miguel,
If you have a lift that is 4 or 5 years old, you will need to validate its certificate (or the technical file of the lift itself) to find out which directive it was issued under (machinery directive 98/37/EC or lifts directive 95/16/EC) and which one contemplates the safety measures adopted (such as the maximum travel speed, as well as its characteristics).
At this time, the current directive for lifting platforms (2006/42/EC) does not allow a displacement greater than 0.15 m/s. The use of a photoelectric barrier in the cabin does not exempt the use of the constant button. Only in the case of having the cabin completely closed, that is, with doors in the cabin (automatic or bus type), is use with the button interlocked allowed (it is not necessary to keep the button pressed constantly).
We hope this answer helps you. Best regards!
good morning
To install an elevator there is a maximum number of stops or a maximum height.
thanks and greetings
Good morning Felix,
There is a difference in travel between an elevator and a hydraulic lift. The hydraulic lift can reach up to 5 stops (approximate travel of 14 meters), while the latter can reach up to 8 stops (approximate travel of 20 meters).
Greetings!
Good morning,
I understand that it is not legal to install an elevator in a community of neighbors, that it must be an elevator. Is that so? And why are there subsidies for elevators and not for lifts?
Thank you
Good morning Juan,
The lifts are designed in accordance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, the aim of which is to adapt facilities in private or public buildings for the accessibility of people with reduced mobility, but under a series of restrictions (to accommodate architectural barriers) and under the responsibility of the owner of the facility.
An elevator requires a series of particularities, such as: a maximum speed of 0.15 m/s, the user must constantly hold down the button from inside the cabin to go from one floor to another, it is not necessary to have a connection to a rescue centre, etc.
However, elevators must comply with other regulations, such as: they must include a call and rescue system in case a passenger is trapped, include anti-vandalism systems, a higher speed than in the case of an elevator (0.63 - 1 m/s), etc.
In other countries, elevators are being installed for communities of 2 or 3 neighbors who are responsible for the elevator. Each neighbor has an access key to the elevator to restrict use to unauthorized personnel and which allows them to have an elevator without having the costs of an elevator.
Depending on the type of community you have, it is recommended to install an elevator instead of an elevator, due to its characteristics.
Currently in Spain, subsidies depend on the Autonomous Community. There are subsidies for the installation of lifts, also known as lifting platforms, as well as elevators. You just need to find out what types of subsidies your Community has.
Check out the following links, they may be very useful.
– Aid for the installation of elevators in existing buildings according to Autonomous Community
– Aid from Autonomous Communities and Town Councils (Renewal Plan)
We hope we have helped you.
Greetings,
Hello
In the community of neighbours everyone wants to install a lift because it is cheaper than a lift, but yesterday the architect said that it is not legal to put in a lift. I don't believe it, so could you tell me where I can look to see if it is legal or not? I have looked at the directive that you mentioned, Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, but it doesn't say anything.
Could you confirm whether or not it is legal to install an elevator in a community of neighbors and if it is legal, what law is it covered by? Thank you.
Good morning Blanca,
Directive 2006/42/EC only specifies the characteristics that a machine must meet in order to be able to transport people as a lifting platform, but does not identify the scope of application. Currently, the scope of application of lifting platforms is restricted according to the specific regulations of each Autonomous Community.
In the case of the Community of Catalonia, the technical instruction identifies the characteristics that the building must meet in order to be able to install a platform or an elevator.
If you tell us in which Autonomous Community the installation will be carried out, we can check which technical instructions apply.
There are currently a number of European regulations in process that may lead to changes in the application of this type of lifting platforms, currently restricted to use in residential buildings where people who need a platform because they have a certain degree of reduced mobility reside.
We hope this information will be of help to you.
Greetings!
Hello.
I live in Pontevedra. I belong to a community of property owners and we would like to install a lift/elevator. Our space is small, approximately 1m x 1.50m. One of the apartments in the building is owned by an elderly couple who spend a lot of time on holiday here. It is a building with 10 apartments and most of the year only 2 neighbours live in it, 3 apartments are completely uninhabited and 5 are holiday homes.
Due to:
1.- The reduced use that it would have,
2.-The power requirements of the machinery (single-phase current)
3.-the maintenance requirements (quarterly reviews 500-600€/year depending on the salesperson),
we have a predilection for the elevator.
My question is:
Would it be possible to install an elevator instead of a lift due to the age of the owners of one of the houses or some other characteristic?
Salespeople from various companies have come and each one gives us their version.
If I understand correctly, you have mentioned that the regulations for the installation of elevators are the responsibility of the autonomous community.
Where can I find "real" information on the regulations in Galicia?
Thank you very much for your attention.
Good morning Mari,
Due to the characteristics you have mentioned (small dimensions, type of use, etc.), the most advisable option is to install a lift. Based on what you have explained, there should not be any problem that would prevent you from installing a lift instead of an elevator. On the other hand, the cost of installation and maintenance (quarterly and not monthly checks) is lower than in the case of an elevator. Depending on the existing needs, we recommend that you configure the elevator to facilitate access and use as much as possible for all possible users.
The installation of a hydraulic lift is regulated at European level by the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (which replaces the old Directive 95/16/EC), while the EN 81-2 standard is responsible for regulating the installation of lifts.
However, each Autonomous Community has its own specific regulations. On the website of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade you can find the following links where all these laws on lifting equipment appear depending on the type of lifting equipment in question:
• http://www.ffii.nova.es/puntoinfomcyt/legislacionsi.asp?idregl=54
• http://www.ffii.nova.es/puntoinfomcyt/legislacionsi.asp?idregl=53
• http://www.ffii.nova.es/puntoinfomcyt/legislacionsi.asp?idregl=52
We hope we have resolved your doubts.
Greetings!
Hello again.
The problem that SOME houses with lifting systems have is that the law prohibits the installation of an ELEVATOR for a community of owners, since this type of machine must be a single-family home or a single-owner home. They tell us that for a community of owners an ELEVATOR must be installed. Is this also the case in Galicia? Could you tell me if there is any case in which an exception to this rule could occur?
Thank you very much again for your attention.
Hello, I live in a small community of 6 houses and two of them need the installation of a lift or elevator because people with reduced mobility and disabilities live there. We have considered the possibility of installing a lift, but as the community is so small the maintenance costs are very high. That is why we are thinking about installing a lift, since it will be used minimally, only those two people and the occasional other neighbour. In addition, one of the properties is empty most months of the year.
The problem comes when it comes to insuring the mechanism, since the insurance company we asked says that it is not legal to install elevators in a community of neighbors and therefore does not want to insure us if we install one.
I live in Castilla La Mancha and I would like to know if it is legal to install an elevator in my neighborhood community, especially considering the disability situation of two of its neighbors, in order to know whether or not I can take out insurance that will cover us in case of an accident.
Thank you.
Good afternoon Alberto,
The European standard that governs the construction and installation of elevators is UNE-EN 81-41:2011, and refers to vertical lifting platforms for use by people with reduced mobility.
This regulation only allows the installation of lifts for private use, i.e. in single-family homes, chalets, etc. This is because the regulation requires that a physical person assume responsibility for the installation. However, EN 81-41 also provides for the installation of lifts in buildings for public use (for example, museums or residential communities), but in this case the regulation also requires that their use be restricted either by means of a key or other similar devices.
In any case, the obligation to comply with EN 81-41 depends on each Autonomous Community, for example in Catalonia it is mandatory. You should check if it is also mandatory in Castilla La Mancha. If it is, you could ask your lift operator if there is any solution to restrict the use of the lift.
We hope we have been able to help you.
Greetings!
Hello, we are building a house with two apartments and three floors and we are undecided between an elevator and a lift. Is it true that the lift, after going up to a floor, always comes down to the first floor from a standstill? In all lifts you have to travel the whole way by pressing the button. Do they have a more abrupt braking than lifts? If you could answer these questions I would be very grateful. Good evening.
Hello Ana,
We answer your questions:
1- According to regulation 2006/42/EC, an elevator must descend to the lowest floor of the house after 20 minutes from the last trip.
2- The same regulations indicate that the cabin button panel must have at least the "man-present" mode, that is, the button must be pressed for the elevator to operate. However, it is possible to choose the automatic call mode (like elevators), which is a more expensive option.
3- As for sudden braking, it will depend on the performance of the machinery itself or the valve group, if it is hydraulic. In our case, GMV has a very comfortable electronic valve group that smooths the lift's journey, being very smooth both at start-up and at stop.
All the best.
Very good.
We are studying the possibility of carrying out a project to equip a multi-family building with an elevator in the autonomous community of Andalusia. The community consists of 6 residents and the dimensions for the location are very small (approximately a space of 0.80x1.50).
The main problem is that the community does not have a very good financial health and therefore they would only decide on one lift. After looking at the current machinery directive, it only differentiates between lifts by speed (0.15 m/s), to differentiate when one and the other are defined.
The inability to see the UNE-EN 81-41 does not give us the option of knowing what requirements are necessary for the installation of the elevator.
– Is it possible to install the elevator with these requirements?
– Must this UNE-EN be complied with in Andalusia?
– and if so, what requirements would I have to meet?
– Is subsequent maintenance mandatory?
– Could the project be called “elevator installation” even though an elevator was going to be installed later (due to compliance requirements of other regulations)?
– If it could be installed, would access have to be limited to the owners with a key or some mechanism or could anyone go up?
– Does the installation company have to give us any subsequent certificate stating that people can climb on it?
Thank you very much in advance.
Hello, my company is dedicated to the installation of air conditioning and cooling systems, and since we usually work on construction sites, we have been asked more than once if we could install single-family elevators. The problem is that we don't know if we can do it or not. What requirements are needed to install elevators, in terms of studies or certificates? We have spoken to people in the sector and they tell us that you need to have engineers working. I hope you can advise us or tell us where we can find out about all these issues.
Thank you
Greetings
Hello,
I'm Laura and I'm studying a course on forklifts, lifting platforms, etc. because I think it's very important to have training in these subjects before starting to work in the industry. I found your blog post very interesting!
Greetings,
Laura
Good evening, I found everything I read very interesting and it helped to dispel many of my doubts, although I have to say that I still have many.
We are considering the idea of installing an elevator in my parents' house, they are elderly. It is a three-story house, the first and third floors are empty and only they live on the second. It could not be installed inside, given the characteristics of the staircase and it would have to be outside.
The address would be in Bembibre (León), I would like to know a little about whether there are community regulations regarding this and I am also concerned about the maintenance that they would have to pay for themselves, could you tell me more or less how much this is normally?
Thank you so much,
hello !
We have had a hydraulic lift at home for 1 year and it works perfectly.
I would like to know how many annual check-ups are mandatory, as it has not been made clear to me.
thank you
Royal Decree 88/2013 has recently been published, approving the Complementary Technical Instruction AEM 1 "Elevators" of the Regulation of lifting and handling equipment, approved by Royal Decree 2291/1985.
In said Technical Instruction, in point 5.3.2 it indicates:
“ 5.3.2 Deadlines.
Maintenance companies must carry out visits for preventive maintenance of elevators, at least, within the following periods:
5.3.2.1 Elevators in single-family homes and elevators with a speed not exceeding 0.15 m/s: every 4 months.
…
5.3.2.2 Elevators installed in community buildings for residential use with up to six stops and elevators installed in public buildings with up to four stops, which are less than twenty years old: every 6 months.
5.3.2.3 Other elevators: every month.”
Remember that it is mandatory to keep a maintenance record.
At my age I still didn't know the difference, but it was only now that I had an interview with a company in the sector that I started to get informed and I finally know the difference between an elevator and a lift! 😛
We are very happy to hear comments like yours.
A place!
Good morning, I would like to know if an elevator is required to be inspected by an OCA, whether it is for use in homes or in public buildings.
greetings
Good afternoon
I find the comments and solutions given very interesting.
I have had a hydraulic lift in a single-family home for a year.
It is mandatory by law to contract maintenance, or the company that installed the elevator is obliged to carry out maintenance on the elevator it has installed.
I have a 65% disability.
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Good morning!
As indicated in the complementary technical instruction ITC-AEM 1 published in the BOE-A-2013-1969 of last February 22, the owner of the lift is responsible for signing a maintenance contract with a lift maintenance company. The requirements that the maintenance company must meet are defined in the same technical instruction, but in no case is the installation company obliged to do so; the owner can choose the company that performs the maintenance. One point to take into account is the type of contract/agreement that has been made with the installation company before the installation of the lift and that has somehow linked both the installation and the maintenance.
We attach a link to the BOE where you can consult the complementary technical instruction ITC-AEM 1
http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2013/02/22/pdfs/BOE-A-2013-1969.pdf
All the best!
I just came for my homework 😀 and thanks to the page.
Hello, I live in Monterrey, Mexico and I bought a new 2-story house. I need a system for my disabled brother who uses an electric wheelchair. He would be the only one to use it and I am very willing to perform maintenance on it as many times a year as necessary. From what I have read on this site, a lifting platform would be better for me, but I don't know how safe it would be. They offer me an option with additional batteries in case of a power failure and it also has a piston so that it lowers automatically without light. What do you recommend?
Good morning Luz,
First of all, we would like to thank you for the interest you have shown in our company and the products we sell. Our sales representative will contact you to answer your query personally. In the meantime, we send you our best regards.
An interesting comparison. There are different types of lifts, both fixed and mobile, such as lifting platforms, which facilitate the performance of work at height. Regards.
Thanks for your contribution, it is a very common doubt.
The details given in response to the various queries are quite clear, but as the answers are very detailed, I do not know the conditions for installing an elevator in my case: My brothers and I own a fairly old building in Valladolid, with a ground floor and two flats, all of them rented out. There is space to install an elevator or lift in the courtyard and we are interested in doing so. Due to the cost of both installation and maintenance, we are inclined to install an elevator, but we have been told that it can only be installed in single-family homes. From your answers, I seem to understand that it can be installed in communities of neighbors under certain conditions. I would like you to inform me if in this case it is possible to install an elevator instead of an elevator and what conditions are necessary for this.
First of all, we would like to thank you for taking us into account when resolving your query. According to current regulations in Castilla y León, an "elevator" cannot be installed in a public or residential building that has more than two floors, unless it is owned by a single owner and is not divided into different dwellings. In your case, according to what you have explained to us, the building has three floors and there are several dwellings, so it will not be possible to install an "elevator".
Greetings,
Good afternoon,
I would like to know if in Catalonia it is possible to install an elevator in a block of flats that consists of a ground floor and 4 more floors (on the first and fourth floors there is 1 floor each and on the 2nd and 3rd floors there are 2 floors each, a total of 6 floors). I have read that this is not possible in some autonomous communities, only elevators.
The block belongs to one owner, but all the apartments are rented except the first floor where the owner lives.
I can only wait for your response and thank you for your explanations, which have certainly helped many people.
According to the instructions you have given us, and taking into account that in Catalonia it is not possible to install lifts with more than 5 stops, in your case you would have to install an elevator. If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact us again.
We hope we have helped you
Hello,
I am Gondemaro, from the previous message and there is something I have not understood.
You tell me that in Catalonia it is not possible to install an elevator if there are more than 5 stops. In the case that I propose, there would be 5 stops (ground floor and 4 more floors), could an elevator be installed?
In the event that there is no stop on the top floor (there is a ground floor and 3 floors), could an elevator be installed even if it is a block of flats?
Thank you very much for your answers and your kindness in helping me.
HELLO. I AM LOOKING FOR AN ELEVATOR FOR A 5-STORY BUILDING. I NEED A TECHNICAL STUDY AND A BUDGET. IT IS URGENT.
Hello Monica, thank you for contacting us with your enquiry. To request a quote like the one you mentioned, we recommend that you contact a lift company in your area. If you have any other questions, we will be happy to help you.
Hello pserrano,
I am from a town in the province of Tarragona and I would like to know if it is possible to put an elevator in a block of flats that has 5 stops (ground floor, 1st floor, 2nd floor, 3rd floor and 4th floor) where there is 1 dwelling on each floor.
I have read the answer you have given to Gondemaro and, as he himself says in his answer, it is not entirely clear to me whether or not an elevator can be installed in a block of flats in Catalonia.
The truth is that I had no idea that the two concepts were different!
And what about pneumatic lifts? I would love a post about them, a mention with some information… Thank you very much.
This information is no longer valid. Nowadays, both an elevator and an "elevator" must undergo a minimum maintenance every 4 months and an inspection every 6 years.
The truth is that in Spain the term elevator is often used for what you are talking about and it is more common in industrial settings. Where we can find manual load elevators, automatic ones, hydraulic tables or conveyor belts . While in certain Latin American countries it is also used to refer to what we know as elevators. Otherwise the information is really complete. Greetings!
I have a recently installed elevator
For two floors
And they tell me that the hydraulic group they have installed is a hydraulic platform.
GMV brand is not maintained in the plant
And it is very abrupt to start it
It's right