The History of the Elevator

Explore the surprisingly long history of the elevator with AVT Beckett to learn more about the ups and downs that came with vertical travel.

The History of the Elevator

December 1, 2021

Today we view the elevator as an accessible staple of buildings and as more buildings go up, so do the number of elevators. But as you waited for the ding of elevator doors to open, ready to safely transport you to your destination, have you ever thought about how it came to be?

While an elevator ride may be short and at times mundane, its history is not. From transporting animals to the battleground that was the Colosseum in ancient Rome, to being the sought after “flying chair” of King Louis XV, the elevator brought magic to everyday people, hundreds of years ago.

So let’s go back to where the elevator first lifted off…

The Dawn of the Elevator

As far as we know, the first construction of an elevator dates to 236 B.C, where the Greek Mathematician Archimedes used a wooden platform or box drawn by hemp ropes through a vertical open shaft and would power it by men or animals operating a capstan. For centuries following this technology remained much the same.

Transport Fit For A King (or His Mistress)

However, the use of elevators as being only for building or heavy loads soon changed when King Louis XV of France commissioned a “flying chair” for one of his mistresses at the Palace of Versailles. Connecting his chambers to that of his mistress’ on the upper level, the chair was operated by pulling a cord with connected counterweights as a pulley.

As a result, this became the first known use of an elevator made specifically for passenger use. Furthermore, King Louis became an avid fan of this technology, later installing a “flying table”.

With the ring of a bell, a dining table with elaborate meals and all its accoutrements would rise from the kitchen below, allowing for the private guests to be served their meal without interruption from palace servants.

Popularity Going Up

As time passed, elevators began to take more of the form that we see today. With the dawn of the industrial revolution the invention of the steam engine became a major propeller in the evolution of elevators.

With a need for greater efficiency of moving supplies and workers, textile mill owner William Strutt used a steam-powered, belt-driven device which used a counterweight system to raise and lower a “cradle” between floors. Though the design continued to be refined over the next thirty years, it was later published and circulated throughout England and America.

Safety First

The next major advancement in elevators came in 1853 when American inventor Elisha Otis first demonstrated a new safety device. “Improvement in Hoisting Apparatus Elevator Brake”, also known as an elevator brake, could be equipped to the elevator to stop it from falling.

Showcasing this by hoisting the elevator cab to the top of the building and deliberately cutting the cables, and instead of crashing down, the cab simply stayed in place. This addition is what made the skyscrapers of today’s cities possible.

Otis and The Otis Elevator Company quickly began putting the invention to work, and after installing a steam-powered elevator in the department store, E.W. Haughtwhat & Company of Manhattan, the first ever passenger elevator became operational.

A Vertical World

In the late 19th century, electric elevators became more common. In 1880 the first one was built by the German Inventor, Werner von Siemens. Despite its modern-day success, the invention wasn’t patented for another seven years when inventor Alexander Miles filed for it on October 11th, 1887. In it, he included his innovation in a mechanism to open and close elevator doors, which greatly improved elevator safety.

Over the next century, the elevator became increasingly accepted by a sceptical society. Thanks to avant-garde architects like Emery Roth, who designed now iconic New York residential buildings, the penthouse on the top floor of the building became the pinnacle of fashion. Ushering into popular use, the elevator is now many people’s most preferred method of vertical travel.

AVT Beckett and the Next Generation of Elevator Technology

The next generation of elevators is here and AVT Beckett is at the forefront of it. Reach out today for a quote.

Elevators and Cities: How Elevators Lift Cities Up

Elevators have an exciting and important relationship with cities. In this explainer, we’ll dive into the ways lifts have played a vital role — and how AVT Beckett continues that lineage!

Elevators and Cities: How Elevators Lift Cities Up

June 29, 2021

Across the globe, cities are growing at an unprecedented rate. But most of us rarely think about the role elevators have played in this boom.

Consider this: Every year, there are more elevators manufactured and installed than the year before. In 2019 alone, over one million new elevators were installed in the world!

Indeed, modern skyscrapers would not be possible without the equipment AVT Beckett provides across North America. But this isn’t just true today. For over a century, the backbone of every architectural marvel has been, at least partly, thanks to mechanized lifts.

In the article below, we’ll take you on a quick journey spanning the entire history of these two inseparable marvels. Enjoy!

How Elevators and Cities First Began

The original elevator is much older than you might think. In Ancient Greece, Archimedes, one of the leading scientists of antiquity, is thought to have constructed the first working lift. In the Roman Colosseum, this novel technology was used to usher lions and gladiators to the arena. Of course, these lifts were powered by people.

In fact, for centuries, lifts required man or animal power to bring the platform from one level to another. We see this is true up into the Industrial Revolution. During that time, workers used pulleys to bring coal and other ore up from mineshafts.

When the tallest building was five or six stories, elevators never seemed to outweigh the basic and simple alternative: the stairs. After all, this was long before elevator safety. It was also long before something like the Americans with Disabilities Act. Many citizens felt unsafe or simply couldn’t access elevators, which kept them on the fringe.

The Eureka Moment:1854

Buildings couldn’t rise very high when you had people (or mules or goats) on the other end of the rope. That all changed in the 19th century. At the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, inventor Elisha Graves Otis changed the way we traverse and build cities forever.

The name probably sounds familiar. That’s because Elisha is the founder of Otis Elevator. In 1854, he changed history by introducing a safety mechanism that stopped a platform from plummeting to the floor.

His famous words “all safe, gentlemen, all safe,” originated from this first exhibit. He told his assistant to cut the main rope to the lift he stood in. Suspended above the crowds, this seemed like a one-way ticket to doom. Instead of falling to the floor, leaf-springs engaged and caught into the serrated guide rails. He was safe.

Expansion into the Skies

In the early 1900s, the proliferation of electricity inspired more efficient, mechanical elevators. Soon, it was common to have one or two lifts per building. This also allowed architects to set their sights higher.

The financial gain of such an endeavor was profound. The floor area ratio, or how much real estate could be quantified on a given plot of land, skyrocketed. Investors saw elevators as their ticket to ever-increasing financial gain.

Basically, the higher the building, the more money property owners could make. As building methods improved, so did the elevators. In fact, new elevator inventions can inspire architects to create designs never seen before.

Today, builders can choose from many types of elevators, including:

Going Up and Down Through the Centuries

As New Yorker columnist Nick Paumgarten noted, “Two things make tall buildings possible: the steel frame and the safety elevator.” And yet, many passengers today seldom consider the true marvel that is the mechanized lift.

There have been some big elevator improvements over the years. Here is a quick timeline of our favorites:

1854 Otis Safety Brake: The original leaf-spring system that paved the way for elevator adoption in New York City and beyond.

1868 Paternoster: With this design, elevator cabs circulated continuously in a closed loop. People could hop on and off at any time. The shortcoming of this system, however, was that there were no doors. See for yourself:

1912 Gearless Elevators: Gearless elevator systems eventually surpassed steam-powered machines. They could be installed in a building of any height, which made them crucial to the growing number of skyrises in big cities. To this day they are one of the most popular lift choices. Check out AVT Beckett’s page on Gearless Elevators here.

1996 MRL: Machine Room-less elevators were first invented by Kone back in the 90s. They were designed to save space in low-rise and mid-rise buildings. Instead of a machine room, the motor is installed directly in the hoistway. Nearly every MRL elevator uses gearless traction — another space-saving advantage.

2017 MULTI System: Using the latest magnetic technology, the MULTI allows elevators to run in multiple directions — including horizontally! This is a ropeless system that has inspired architects and revolutionized building design.

The Future of Elevators and Cities Continues with AVT Beckett

At AVT Beckett, we believe the future of our cities depends on safe and reliable elevators. We’ve been in the business for 60 years and are proud to say we’ve risen to the challenges put forward by the best engineers and architects in the world.

To learn more about our services, or to find out more about us, connect with us on LinkedIn.

Keeping The Field Safe: Elevator Safety Tips

Learn about our elevator manufacturing experts in our first employee spotlight. We interview Carlie Peraziana, our lead hand in the cab department, and find out about her role at AVT Beckett.

Keeping The Field Safe: Elevator Safety Tips

April 27, 2021

Elevators are one of the safest and most reliable methods of transportation. No one knows that better than elevator inspectors and maintenance professionals. It’s their job to make sure lifts are in safe working order.

And thank goodness for them! The National Elevator Industry (NEII) states that, in the US alone, passengers take 18 billion elevator rides each year. With that many trips, keeping elevators safe is of crucial importance, both for riders and workers.

At AVT Beckett, we know just how important it is to keep safety top of mind in the elevator industry. Here are our top tips on what to do and what not to do for elevator safety.

Safety Codes for Elevators

The Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators is the inspection bible in the US. It’s written by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and contains most of the codes that govern elevator equipment. The equivalent in Canada is CAN/CSA-B44-13 Safety Code for Elevators. Some states and provinces have additional codes, but we won’t get into that here.

The ASME states that elevators must be inspected annually, sometimes even monthly, depending on the machine’s age and daily traffic. Of course, during an inspection or routine maintenance, we’re also looking for failure points. Usually, your doors, buttons, and railings get inspected. It’s also very important that the emergency phone connections work, the fire testing log is accurate, and the cabs have their elevator certificates.

The Three Key Areas of Elevator Maintenance and Inspection

During maintenance, workers must interact with three areas of the elevator system. Each area has its own safety codes that must be followed. Below, we’ll cover some of the relevant codes and technology that keep them safe.

1. Hoistways

Hoistway is the technical term for the elevator shaft. It’s here that the moving parts of the system are exposed, so the health and safety codes are extensive. The ASMEE details regulations relating to hoistways beginning in section 2.1 of the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.

Because workers are within the shaft, the railings on the top of the cab are crucial to their safety. These railings must be built to code. Some of these codes include:

- - - 2.10.2 Must be constructed of metal
    - 2.10.2.1-3 Must consist of a top rail, intermediate rail, and toeboard
    - 2.10.3 Must withstand a force of 890 N at any point along the top rail and 666 N along the intermediate rail.

At AVT Beckett, we provide completely customizable and durable car top railings to keep the field safe. All our railings are to code, and they’re still the lightest in the industry.

2. Machine Rooms

An elevator machine room is where you’ll find the controller, disconnects, and motor. It’s usually on the top floor of a building, in a room that can only be accessed by verified personnel.

You’ll find safety codes for the machine room beginning in section 2.7. There’s also a number of building codes that discuss the types of signage required in machine rooms.

Guards come in two types. There are the fence-style guards that act as cages that must be opened to access the elevator components. There are also component guards that protect your hands from touching moving gears, belts, and pulleys.

For machinery room guards to pass inspection and keep workers safe, they also must meet other safety codes, such as:

- - Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) regulations
  - ANSI B11.19-2010 – Performance Requirements for Safeguarding
  - CSA Z432-2016 – Safeguarding of Machinery

We’re proud to have worked with some of the largest buildings in North America to install fully adjustable, pre-engineered global guarding. You can check out our elevator room guards here.

3. Elevator Car Interior & Exterior

When it comes to elevator cars, maintenance and inspection circle around passenger safety. Workers must make sure ASMEE’s 2.27 codes for emergency operations are satisfied. Plus, it’s important to make sure smoke detectors work and that interior materials are certified to be fire-resistant.

AVT Beckett’s Tips for Elevator Safety

Professionals that interact with elevators during maintenance and inspection should heed the following helpful reminders to ensure maximum safety.

#1 Double-Check Fall Protection

When working in the hoistway or near an elevator shaft, make sure to find secure points to fasten your fall arrest gear. You must tie off when there’s a fall hazard of 1.8 meters or a gap of 30 centimeters.

Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in these situations consists of a full-body harness that’s been inspected before use. Also, never attach lanyards to a pipe, door, or anywhere else that has not been engineered as a contact point.

#2 Make Sure All Worker Training Is Up to Date

Sometimes an expired safety ticket can creep up on you. Before reaching a site, just make sure your crew has the necessary training, such as confined space, working at heights, and the occupational health and safety program.

#3 Check for the Appropriate Safety Signs and Warnings

When working on an elevator, barricade the area and post the required warning signs. Keeping riders informed means they’ll stay out of your way and avoid health and safety risks.

Machine rooms must have signage that clearly labels the moving parts and electrical hazards. AVT Beckett provides the necessary electrical and machine room signage along with our machine guarding.

#4 Go Over Your Emergency Protocols and Inform Staff of Shutdown

This is especially important for small buildings with only one elevator. Ask the property manager to notify residents and visitors that the elevator will be out of service and that in the event of an emergency they must use the stairs.

#5 Never Start Work Without Proper PPE

New construction, renovation, and anything in-between — always wear your personal protective equipment (PPE). For elevator installation or maintenance, that means having the following:

Hardhat
Safety Shoes
Eye Protection
Hearing Protection
Gloves

While these are the standard minimum requirements when it comes to PPE, you should always follow your company’s protocol and adhere to specific safety measures for your team.

AVT Beckett’s Commitment to Safety

As a leading elevator manufacturer and supplier, we know that when it comes to safety, you can’t cut corners. If you’re looking for elevator accessories and safety components, AVT Beckett can help. Our expert engineers make sure our products meet all the necessary ASMEE and OSHA standards so that you keep your workers safe.

What Are The Different Types Of Elevators?

November 27, 2020

We see them in the morning when we’re leaving our apartments and condos, or in the afternoons when we come home. We see them in offices, subway stations, or shopping malls. Elevators are now simply a given in our daily lives.

Modern buildings simply must have elevators nowadays. Not only are elevators a necessity for accessibility and convenience, but they also play a key role in traffic management and boost a building’s value and reputation. With this in mind, when designing your building, or upgrading your elevators, how do you decide on the best elevator systems for your building?

This guide walks you through the three common types of elevators we find in buildings today, so you can understand what works best for your situation, whether it’s for a new construction or an upgrade to your existing systems.

Hydraulic Elevators

Hydraulic elevators are powered by a piston that moves inside a cylinder, caused by the cylinder filling with oil. An electric pump in the tank in the machine room pumps oil into the cylinder. Hydraulic elevators can handle heavier loads, so they are a great option when looking for freight or car lift elevators.

Features of AVT’s Hydraulic Elevators

Traction Elevators

Traction elevators are raised and lowered by using a system of steel ropes or belts on a pulley system. Traction elevators can be geared, with a gearbox attached to the motor to initiate the sheave spin, but can also be gearless with the sheave directly attached to the motor.

A counterweight is used to offset the weight of the elevator cab and passengers in traction elevators. Due to this, the motor doesn’t have to work as hard as it is a counter-balanced system, making it more energy-efficient. They also boast higher speeds than their hydraulic counterparts. Traction elevators can be found in skyscrapers or other high-rise structures, as well as low-mid rise buildings.

Features of AVT’s Gearless Traction Elevators

Machine Roomless (MRL) Elevators

The “machine roomless” or MRL elevator is exactly what the name promises. It is an elevator that doesn’t require a separate room for machinery above the elevator shaft, saving that extra space. Nearly all MRL elevators are gearless traction elevators, using a permanent magnet motor. MRL elevators are fast to install, space-efficient, and energy-efficient. They provide more flexibility to the architects as well, since eliminating the need for a machine room leaves more space for creativity.

Features of AVT’s MRL Elevators

Choosing the perfect elevator system requires expert understanding of the building structure and intended elevator usage. Accessing needs and discussing your options with elevator experts are the first steps to finding out which systems will work best for you.

If you need an elevator solution for your building, AVT Beckett has expertise and quality you can depend on. As a leading elevator manufacturer and supplier, AVT Beckett can find the right elevator for your unique scenario.

Your Comprehensive Guide to Elevator Dimensions

September 22, 2020

The world of elevators is constantly a changing landscape, and with the modernization of the elevator industry and the introduction of new technologies, the elevators of the past are just that — a thing of the past.

Modern elevators provide excellent safety measures and have shown leaps and bounds in technological growth compared to their counterparts in the early 50’s when they were first introduced. Modern elevators provide not only safety and security, but plenty of area for sleek, elegant finishings to personalize your cab.

When it comes to how spacious elevators can be, elevator dimensions vary based on many factors including the primary purpose, capacity, and even the type of building the elevator is installed in.

Elements of an Elevator

There are three main dimensions you need to consider when you measure up your elevators.

1. Elevator Shaft
Also known as the elevator hoistway. You’ve probably had a glimpse of it when you looked down as you stepped over the gap and out of the elevator, and recognize this as the place where you don’t want to drop your keys.

2. Elevator Cab
The elevator cab is the room that holds the passengers. It’s the “face” of your elevator that customers see and interact with most.

3. Elevator Entrance
Finally, there is the entrance, which is fairly self-explanatory, and believe it or not, also functions as an exit. Thankfully, we don’t live in a world with one-way elevators.

Thinking logically, the elevator cab must fit within the dimensions of the shaft with enough space to move up and down, and the entrance must be wide enough to accommodate the intended passengers.

These dimensions vary depending on the use case of the elevator, though we can make a safe assumption that in 2020, modern elevators feel less like a roller coaster and more like sleek transportation devices.

Size Matters in Accessibility

Many countries have set their own elevator dimension guidelines to ensure safety and accessibility standards, no matter the elevator size or use.

A thorough example of elevator sizing guidelines is set by the United States’ ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Compliance to the American Disabilities Act ensures that elevators are accessible to all members of the public.

As written in the North American elevator code book, the inside net platform area is calculated by using the formula area = width by length (see diagram below) at 1000 mm or 39 inches above the floor and inside of any panel or wall surfaces. This does not include any handrails or space for doors. To allow for variations in car designs, an increase in the maximum net area not exceeding 5% is permitted for the various rated loads.

The Province of Ontario in Canada also sets elevator standardization for accessibility. The Ontario Building Code, section 3.5.4.1 discusses “Elevator Car Dimensions” and requires that if a building is higher than three stories, one of its elevators needs to accommodate a patient stretcher 2010 mm long and 610 mm wide.

Elevators, In Depth

It goes without saying that dimensions will be adapted differently for freight, service or passenger elevators. So you can see different trends or patterns when you look into different elevator dimensions, even though there’s actually no global standardization.

Even looking at the same elevator type but in different uses, such as commercial vs residential passenger elevators, you can see how elevator dimensions make up a big part of the passenger journey.

Commercial Use Elevators

For example, office buildings have a tendency to include elevators that are wider but not as deep to encourage patrons to exit in a more organized manner. To keep up with rapid growth of skyscrapers in urban areas, commercial elevators do not have a standard maximum height according to the ADA.

How Does Your Elevator Measure Up?

Elevator dimensions are integral to your elevator design process. They’ll help you improve your elevator’s efficiency, passenger journey, and make the most optimal use of your building’s space.

No matter the dimensions of the elevator needed to fit your space, AVT Beckett has the elevator packages that you need for new construction or modernization. Contact our elevator specialists today, and let us elevate your day.