AR 307

BUILDING
SERVICES
ASSIGNMENT – II
(PART 2)

SUBMITTED BY:
MOHAMMAD ALI
B. ARCH 3RD YEAR DAY
1. Based on NBC 2016, discuss design considerations of passenger elevators.
Discuss key design features for different building types.

ANSWER 1. There are many variables which affect elevator system design. However, the
key ones to be specified are:

✓ Number of floors to be served.

✓ Floor to floor distance.
✓ Population of each floor.
✓ Location of building.
✓ Specialist services within building.
✓ Type of building occupancy.
✓ Maximum peak demand in passengers
per five-minute period.
✓ Elevator speed.
✓ Elevator car dimensions.
✓ Load.
✓ Number of elevators.
✓ Elevator design characteristics

Planning for Specific Building Types

1. RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
The peak traffic condition occurs during the morning down-peak when many adults and
children are leaving for work and school at the same time. Population assumptions would
also need to consider the service staff, drivers of cars, etc. For high rise buildings the
delivery of newspapers and milk and disposal of garbage are also required to be
considered. In the luxury housing segment, where the number of ratios of service staff to
residents is fairly high, separate service lifts may be required for door deliveries and
service staff

2. HOSPITALS
Factors to be considered include number of staff and shift patterns, number of visitors
and visiting hours, location of operation theatres, facilities, delivery of housekeeping
supplies, waste disposal, evacuation procedures and segregation of sterile areas. When
carrying out traffic analysis for hospitals, designers should consider establishing average
car loading by volume rather than by weight. Arrival rates may approximate 10 percent
to 15 percent and interval may be 30 s to 50 s. The sizing of the lift car and doors should
be such that a standard hospital stretcher and attendant can be easily accommodated.

3. HOTELS
The most demanding time is during the check-in and check-out period and two-way traffic
occurs during this period with guests going to and from rooms and restaurants and in
and out of the hotel. Calculations should be made assuming an equal number of up and
down stops during this period. Average room occupancy may range from 1.5 to 2
persons and arrival rates from 10 to 15 percent. Security considerations need to be taken
into account whilst establishing the circulation and lift requirements. Adequate number
of service lifts need to be provided for service movement of housekeeping and room
service staff as well as movement of material.

4. RETAIL MALLS WITH MULTIPLEXES

Pedestrian movement in retail establishments like malls is generally centered on
escalators, and lifts do not play a major part. However, provision should be made for
movement of shopping trolleys, wheel chairs, perambulators and persons with limited
mobility from one level to another.

5. AIRPORTS/RAILWAY STATIONS
While moving walks and escalators greatly improve the building circulation, the use of
lifts has to be considered for persons with limited mobility and for movement of baggage
trolleys from one level to another. The RTT equation of 4.2.5 may be used, but care may
need to be taken in the assumptions of lift car occupancy levels taking into account space
occupied by trolleys.

6. MULTI-LEVEL CAR PARKING

Multi-level car parks may be standalone public car parks or attached to office, retail or
residential complexes. These car parks may be fully automated where drivers would leave
the cars inside or on a trolley at the entry floor and the car is parked and retrieved
automatically. The other alternative would be for the use of car lifts and/or ramps. When
the movement of the cars is dependent on car lifts, detailed study has to be carried out
to establish the required number of car lifts ensuring that average car retrieval/parking
time does not exceed 2 min.

7. MULTI-LEVEL CAR PARKING

Passenger Traffic When car lifts or ramps are the means for parking the cars, then means
would need to be provided for the movement of passengers from and to the parking
floors. If the main building lifts also serve the parking floors, it is to be noted that,
performance will be adversely impacted due to multiple entry floors

8. SCHOOLS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

In schools and other educational institutions, the traffic flow would consist of peak
demand for short duration that would exist just before the start or after finishing of a class
or lecture. It is unlikely that an economical solution can be implemented for such high
peak requirements. Therefore, the design of the building has to be such that heavy stair
usage is facilitated

2. Discuss considerations about lift locations in various building typologies.

ANSWER 2. Lifts should be easily accessible from all entrances; they should be grouped
near the center of the building. It is preferable not to have all the lifts out in straight line
and, if possible, not more than four lifts should be arranged in this manner.

PASSENGER LIFTS

Low and medium class flats

Where a lift is arranged to serve two, three or four flats per floor, the lift may be placed
adjoining a staircase, with the lift entrances serving direct on to the landings. Where the
lift is to serve a considerable number of flats having access to balconies or corridors, it
may be conveniently placed in a well-ventilated tower adjoining the building.

Office buildings, hotels and high-class flats

In general, the arrangement as recommended above should be followed. However, in
case this is not possible, it is desirable to have at least a battery of two lifts at two or more
convenient points of a building. If this is not possible, it is advisable to have at least two
lifts side by side at the main entrance and one lift each at different sections of the building
for inter-communication.

Shops and departmental stores

Lifts in shops and stores should be situated so as to secure convenient and easy access
at each floor.

For buildings with more than 12 floors, where passenger and service lifts are provided
in one lobby, it is recommended to have group control for all the lifts.

GOODS LIFTS
Location of lifts in factories, warehouses and similar buildings should be planned to suit
the progressive movement of goods. The placing of a lift in a fume or dust laden
atmosphere or where it may be exposed to temperatures should be avoided. A large
capacity goods lift operating at high speed is a very uneconomical solution. The inherent
high cost of the lift is enhanced due to the very small demand for such small demand,
much of which is custom made. The operation of loading and unloading becomes more
difficult as the size of the goods increases. The weight and capacity of the lifts increases,
making the accuracy of leveling more difficult.

HOSPITAL BED LIFTS

Hospital bed lifts should be situated conveniently near the ward and operating theatre
entrances. There shall be sufficient space near the landing door for easy movement of
stretcher/bed. It is convenient to place the passenger lifts in a hospital, near the
staircases.

3. Discuss the components of an elevator using neat sketches.

ANSWER 3. LIFT CAR- It is vertically moving chamber in which passenger or goods are
transported. It is mainly constructed of steel or iron attached with steel frame. It is
provided with door, floor panel indication, emergency button, phone, lightning and many
emergency supplies.
LIFT DOOR- The utilization of Centre opening door is recommended as they reduce the
round-trip time and help in improving the efficiency of lift.

GOVERNOR- It is mechanical device used to control the speed of lift on the basis of load
in the lift chamber. It is usually placed at top of list shaft in a room equipped with electric
motor, safety gear, etc.

LIFT SHAFT- It is also called lift hoist. It is constructed with RCC to accommodate the
loading and fire resistance. The size is decided on the basis of no. of users. It is pathway
of lift.
GUARD RAIL- It is track laid on both the sides of the lift shaft to keep the car and
counterweight in balance. It also acts as a safety device to hold the lift from crashing down
if the rope breaks.

COUNTERWEIGHT- It is connected with a rope of elevator car to support the load carried
by generator. Its main function is to grip the lift car and reduce the power of generator.

BUFFER- It is group of springs placed in vertical direction to absorb the impact of lift car
when it falls. It is placed in lift pit.

4. Enumerate upon classification of elevators using neat sketches.

ANSWER 4. HYDRAULIC ELEVATORS

This is one of the simplest types of elevators. A hydraulic
escalator has a piston underneath that pushes it upwards when
necessary. This piston is moved by an electric motor that pushes
hydraulic fluid (such as oil) into the piston. When the elevator
needs to go down, the piston releases some of the oil through a
valve.
Hydraulic elevators are used regularly, especially for buildings
that are not very high. They have a low upfront cost, and the
maintenance expenses are not that high, in comparison with other
types of elevators.

TRACTION ELEVATORS
This type of elevator is more popular with mid and high-rise
buildings. They have a faster speed in comparison with hydraulic lifts,
meaning that they can take you from point A to point B fin a shorter
amount of time.
Traction elevators are set into motion by an electric motor that moves
cables or ropes which pull the escalator upwards. A machine room
sits on top of the elevator and actions the electric motor. The concept
of a traction elevator is similar to a pulley system that moves cables
across a geared wheel.
The cables and the gear system need to be checked regularly for
wear and tear. If these components deteriorate, the elevator might
not be that efficient, and it can even become dangerous at some
point.
Also known as MRL elevators. These lifts don’t have a dedicated machine room on top
of the escalator. Instead, they have a control room that sits adjacent to the elevator. These
lifts have similar maintenance costs as traction elevators, but they can achieve very fast
traveling speeds.
That’s why MRL elevators are increasingly popular today. They can help people travel
from one floor to the other quicker and safer. They also have low energy requirements,
so it’s more efficient for the building owner to use them. MRL elevators are ideal for mid-
rise buildings with a height of up to 250 feet.

PNEUMATIC ELEVATOR
A pneumatic or vacuum elevator works by utilizing air suction to move the carriage up or
down as a result of difference in air pressures above and under the carriage. Turbines
are used to operate as exhausts on top of the elevator. Pneumatic elevators are generally
used inside residential houses of a couple floors.

5. Discuss important characteristics on which number of passenger lifts, their

capacities and quantity of service depends depend.

ANSWER 5.
CAPACITY AND NUMBER OF LIFTS: depend upon the axis building pattern and
building size.

TYPE AND SIZE OF LIFT: depends on the use or function

SPEED: depends upon the number of stops number of users and transport course

UTILITY: the function must be identified whether for commercial office or Hospital

6. Elevator System Design and Safety

ANSWER 6. Passenger and goods lifts shall comply with the safety requirements and/or
protective measures of the following clauses. In addition, the passenger and goods lifts
shall be designed according to good practices.

All labels, notices, markings and operating instructions shall be permanently affixed,
indelible, legible and readily understandable (if necessary aided by signs or symbols).
They shall be of durable material, placed in a visible position, and written in the accepted
languages.

The minimum factor of safety for any part of the lift shall not be less than five. Higher factor
of safety for various parts shall be applicable in accordance with accepted standards
All passenger, goods, stretcher, automobile, dumbwaiter lifts shall have conformity with
Lifts Acts and Rules in force, Indian Electricity Act, 2003 and Rules, all relevant and
applicable Indian Standards, applicable fire regulations, fire prevention act and rules in
force.
SAFTEY GEAR: these are used as a failsafe to stop the car or counterweight is located
below there. Safety gear may or may not incorporate an electric buffer.

BRAKES: there should be at least two independent electrical devices to control the
interruption of electric current and break should operate as the electric circuit is
interrupted.

7. Discuss typical lift arrangements and variation in high-rise buildings.

ANSWER 7. Elevators in high-rise buildings are a necessity. They move people without
noticeable waits, transport staff and materials, complement the building design, and
enhance the building’s market reputation. Elevators must operate safely and seamlessly.

When buildings are designed, architects enlist the assistance of elevator specialists to
determine the proper number, grouping and type of elevators. This approach ensures
adequate capacity and provides appropriate waiting times without providing too many
elevators. High-rise buildings, those with more than 20 floors above the lobby, can have
multiple elevator groups, low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise for example, and sometimes
parking, retail and special use elevators, along with service and material elevators.

According to the CIBSE Guide a building with sixty occupied floors would typically be
served by 4 rises. If a lift serves too many floors, the number of stops and transit time for
passengers at higher floors becomes intolerable. Another consideration is core space. If
every lift serves every floor, the taller the building, the higher the proportion of the
building is taken by lifts.

Increasing the number of rises reduces core space. The reduction in core space is a
consequence of less lifts travelling to higher floors, e.g., where there are four rises there
may be are four times as many shafts at the ground floor as there are at the top floor. The
reduction in possible stops also reduces the total number of probable stops; with less
probable stops, the round-trip time of a lift group is reduced, which increases the
handling capacity. This trend in reducing core space with increasing numbers of rises will
continue until the lift group is so small that the handling capacity criteria is met with N lifts,
but >N lifts are required to meet the interval criteria.

8. Define Escalators. Describe features, components, arrangements of escalators

using neat sketches.

ANSWER 8. Escalators are mechanical devices used for transporting people vertically
between different levels of buildings. Typically, they take the form of a moving staircase,
consisting of a 'chain' of single-piece aluminum or stainless-steel steps guided by a
system of tracks in a continuous loop.
FEATURES
Today's escalators and moving walks are designed to adhere to strict safety code
requirements, and incorporate a variety of safety features designed to encourage proper
ridership and prevent accidents. Some of the safety features offered include:
✓ Sensors to trigger automatic shutdown if a component is outside of its normal
position
✓ Skirt brushes to help prevent objects from being caught in the escalator
✓ Handrail motion detectors
✓ Step integrity monitors
✓ Missing step monitors
✓ Combplate detectors
✓ Step level monitors
✓ Skirt switches
✓ Emergency stop buttons
✓ Controlled stop braking
✓ Understep lighting
✓ Yellow combfingers
✓ Handrail guards.

COMPONENTS
The Escalator consists of the following components:
a) Landing Platforms.
These two platforms house the curved sections of the tracks, as well as the gears
and motors that drive the stairs. The top platform contains the motor assembly and
the main drive gear, while the bottom holds the step return idler sprockets.
Major components of Landing Platforms are:
i. Combplates
ii. Comb Segments
iii. Access Covers
iv. Comb Lights
b) Truss.
 The escalator truss is the structural frame of the escalator and consists of three
major areas:
i. The lower section,
ii. Incline section,
iii. Upper section.
c) Tracks.
The track system is built into the truss to guide the step chain, which continuously
pulls the steps from the bottom platform and back to the top in an endless loop.
There are actually two tracks:
i. One for the front wheels of the steps (called the step wheel track).
ii. One for the back wheels of the steps (called the trailer-wheel track).
d) Steps.
The steps are solid, one piece, die-cast aluminum or steel. Yellow demarcation
lines may be added to clearly indicate their edges.
e) Handrail.
The Handrail provides a convenient handhold for passengers while they are riding
the escalator. In an escalator, the handrail is pulled along its track by a chain that is
connected to the main drive gear by a series of pulleys.
f) Escalator Exterior (Balustrade).
The Balustrade consists of the handrail and the exterior supporting structure of the
escalator. It is the escalator exterior components extending above the steps and it
supports the handrail. It is either designed as Interior Low-deck or Interior High-
deck.
g) Drive system.
h) Auto-Lubrication System.
i) Braking system.
j) Safety devices.
k) Electrical & Control Systems.

ARRENGEMENTS
1. Parallel
Up and down escalators "side by side or separated by a distance," seen often in
metro stations and multilevel motion picture theaters)
2. Crisscross
Minimizes structural space requirements by "stacking" escalators that go in one
direction, frequently used in department stores or shopping centers
3. Multiple parallel
two or more escalators together that travel in one direction next to one or two
escalators in the same bank that travel in the other direction
4. “Up” Escalator next to Staircase
It is preferred that staircases be located adjacent to the escalator if the escalator is
the primary means of transport between floors.

9. Write short notes on

A. Speed of lifts in different occupancies
B. Handling Capacity & RTT
 C. Waiting time
D. Travellators

ANSWER 9.
A. Passenger lifts -

Low and medium class flats -0.5 m/s

Office buildings, hotels -0.5-0.75 m/s
Large flats -0.75-1 m/s
Hospitals -above 1.5 m/s
Departmental stores - 2-2.5 m/s

Goods lifts
Normal case - 0.25-0.5m/s
Serving main floors -1 m/s

Hospital bed lift

Short travel in small hospital -0.25 m/s
Normal -0.5 m/s
Long Travel lift in large hospital -1 m/s

B. The number of passengers that a lift system can theoretically transport during the
up-peak traffic condition with car occupancy of 80 percent of the actual capacity
expressed as a percent of the total building population.
Round Trip Time (RTT) -The average time taken by a single lift to make a trip from
the main terminal back to the main terminal, starting from the time the car doors
open at the main terminal until the car doors re-open at the main terminal after
serving all demand along the way.

C. Waiting Time- Average period of time from the instant a passenger registers a
landing call or joins a queue, until the responding lift begins to open its doors at
the boarding floor.

D. A travelator is a conveyor-type device that helps transport people across longer

horizontal distances in a faster and easier manner than walking would. A travelator
may also be known as a moving sidewalk, autowalk, or moving walkway.