Elevator without a machine room undergoing rehabilitation: what to check in the void
Is there enough space in this building for an elevator?
It is the question that comes to any installer in a renovation project. And almost never
The answer is given at the first visit.
In new construction, the space is designed for the elevator. In renovation, the opposite happens: the elevator is
The elevator has to adapt to an already existing space, with its limitations of depth and height.
and structure.
That is why elevators without a machine room have become the usual solution in
existing buildings. But before proposing them, they must be measured, verified and documented.
This is the checklist that HIDRAL S.A. recommends.
Why rehabilitation changes the rules
A building built without an elevator, or with an old one that needs to be replaced, usually presents
Three limitations:
It’s a bit of a hassle, because digging under the last slab is expensive, slow, and sometimes infeasible.
Little free space on the last floor.
No room for a machine room.
An elevator without a machine room eliminates the third one. The other two depend on the space, and
That's where the project is won or lost.
What to check in the cavity: the checklist
1. Available trench depth
The pit is the distance between the lowest stop level and the bottom of the pit.
It must be measured with precision and checked what is underneath: a slab, ground, basement,
facilities or groundwater level. A pit with moisture or leaks needs to be resolved first
Nothing to ride.
If there is not much room to excavate, the solution is to use a reduced trenching team. The UHe
Hidral offers the option with a minimum trench of 200 mm.
2. Escape: the free height on the last floor
The escape is the distance between the level of the upper stop and the ceiling of the gap.
It is the measure that is most forgotten on the first visit and the one that complicates the most projects.
An old building with a low roof or a limited castle may condition the equipment as well.
like the moat.
3. Useful measures of space, plant to plant
It is not enough to measure the width and the bottom in the ground floor.
In old buildings it is common for the void to not be filled in, to narrow in some places.
a plant or one that has beams, downlights or installations. Measurements must be taken in all
plants and keep the minimum available free section.
That free section determines the possible cabin size and, with it, the load and the number of passengers.
people.
4. Structure and anchoring capacity
Guides, supports and, in an elevator without a machine room, the machine itself rests on the wall.
structure of the cavity.
It is advisable to check what the walls are made of (brick factory, concrete or
masonry) and if the intended anchors are accepted. If not, it might be necessary to look for some
alternative fixing solution or considering installing a supporting structure.
In this phase, coordination with the medical management is essential.
5. Location of the maneuver and access for rescue
Without the fourth of the machine, the control panel and the rescue elements need another one.
location. Typically, there is a closet in the attic on the last floor or next to a door.
flat.
That space must be provided for, and access to it must be granted to the maintainer and the rescue procedure must be established.
users.
6. Rellanos, doors and access points for construction
Each stop and embarkation requires a platform with enough space for the floor door.
It is also advisable to check where the material will enter: portal, staircase, patio or roof.
In the case of rehabilitation, the assembly logistics can influence the duration of the project as much as the equipment itself.
7. Hollow installation
Finally, it is necessary to check the available electrical outlets, the lighting of the space and the
ventilation, and that no installations other than the elevator be installed through it.
Is there an elevator without a trapdoor?
It is one of the most frequent searches, and the answer needs to be nuanced.
An elevator that complies with elevator regulations always needs a pit to accommodate the
The cab can be aligned with the ground, even if it is reduced. What does exist are vehicles with a ditch.
reduced, like the UHe with 200 mm, which avoid digging excessively in most cases
cases.
For short trips there are also lifting platforms, regulated by a frame.
Different regulations. They have other benefits, other uses, and other limitations.
What is appropriate in each case depends on the use, the route and the building. That is why the decision is up to the individual.
take with the measured gap, not before.
What the elevator without a machine room brings
• Less civil works: no need to build or equip a machine room.
• More usable space for the building.
• Energy efficiency: the gearless motor reduces consumption compared to machines
conventional ones.
• Shorter deadlines, something especially valuable in buildings occupied during construction.
Hidral's UHe elevator is designed to facilitate its installation in small spaces,
replacement of old elevators and new installations in existing buildings.
What to send to the manufacturer to study the solution
With this data, we can propose a solution from the first contact:
Plans or sketches of the void with free section in each floor.
Available trench depth and what is underneath.
Available units (free space on the last floor).
Total journey, number of stops, type and number of departures per plant.
Planned use: residential use, private or public use.
Type of hollow walls.
Photographs of the void, the landings and the access routes.
The manufacturer behind the installer
In rehabilitation, each building is a unique case. And every centimeter counts.
At Hidral we study the space with you, we propose the equipment that fits and, if the catalogue does not
It arrives; our engineering works to design a possible customized solution.
Because in rehab, the space matters. And the elevator has to adapt to it.
Measuring well is half the project.
Do you have a free space available? Send us the details and we will size up the solution with you.
Contact our team of technical and commercial advisors.
Frequently asked questions
What is an elevator escape?
It is the distance between the upper stop level and the ceiling of the recess.
What pit does an elevator without a machine room need?
It depends on the model. The UHe from Hidral works with a minimum trench of 200 mm in
In certain cases, this prevents excessive digging in many buildings.
Can an elevator be installed without a pit?
An elevator always needs a pit to level the cabin to ground level, even if it is
reduced. For short trips, there are lift platforms with another regulatory framework. The
The appropriate solution depends on the use and the building.
What measures of the gap should be taken?
Free section (width and depth) on all floors, trench depth, available height in the
last floor (evacuation), total route, type of embarkation, number of access points and stops.
General normative framework
EN 81-20 and EN 81-50: Construction, installation and design requirements for new elevators.
EN 81-21: New elevators in existing buildings. Includes solutions when not
The usual safety gaps in a ditch or escape route can be met with measures such as:
Additional protection.
Accessibility: EN 81-70 and, in Spain, the CTE DB SUA.
Spanish regulations: Royal Decree 355/2024 (ITC AEM 1, Ascensores), which regulates
commissioning, maintenance and inspections.
