How Deep Should A Pit For Hydraulic Elevators Be



Vision Home ElevatorsIf you're installing a hydraulic elevator, and the installer told you that you need to have a pit dug, well, you could be wondering how deep that pit needs to be. This answer is harder to answer than you may think. First of all, codes that determine the depth of a pit fluctuate from county to county and from state to state. Codes fluctuate when you cross state boarders, so make sure to look up your own elevator codes before digging a pit or installing an elevator.


Here are some universal rules about pits that you should take into careful consideration.



Fire Resistant – First of all, all pits, whether they are built for a hydraulic elevator or a cable elevator, must be fire resistant. Pits must be constructed in such a way that the partitions between the elevator pit, the walls, and the car are fire resistant. This helps keep the passengers safe as well as those in the building safe. This is incredibly important, because most pits house mechanical parts, and mechanical parts run the risk of breaking down and catching fire.

Waterproof – Just as pits must be fire resistant, they must also be waterproof. If water leaks into the elevator pit, mildew and other mold could begin. This could make the inhabitants in the building, as well as the elevator riders, sick.

Plumbing – As a precaution against water infiltration, drains and pumps must be included. When these are being added, it is very important that they comply with local codes. These drains must not be connected to the main sewer system, and they should not allow water, odor, or gas to seep into the pit.

Housing the Motor – Most hydraulic pits are shallow, usually only a few inches deep, and they are dug to house the main motor that powers the hydraulic elevator. If you're building your own hydraulic elevator and you're using the pit to house mechanical parts, make sure that there is enough room not only to house the motor but also enough room between the bottom of the elevator car, when it's at ground level, and the motor itself. As you don't want the bottom of the elevator car and the motor to be too close, it is safe to plan for some breathing room.


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Before installing a hydraulic elevator and pit, make sure you take a good look at city, state and county codes. The following are only guidelines for digging a pit and they should not be used exclusively.

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