Tag: elevator

3 Interesting Elevators You Probably Didn’t Know About

Do you know what the tallest elevator in the world is? Here are 3 interesting elevators you probably didn’t know about.

We typically discuss some of the more complex and technical aspects of elevators in our blog posts, but we are switching it up today. Here are 3 of the most interesting elevators in the world that you probably didn’t know much about.

1. World’s Tallest elevator 

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the tallest elevator in the world is located within the Mponeng Gold Mine in South Africa. The elevator takes workers down 7,490 feet in just three minutes. It can reach speeds of up to 40 mph and can carry up to 120 workers at once. After this elevator, there’s another one that takes the miners to the lower levels, another 4,000 feet. The world’s tallest elevator inside a building is located inside the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It’s 1,654 ft long. 

2. The Gateway Arch elevator

The Gateway Arch is located in St. Louis, Missouri. According to the monument’s website, it was created to “commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a transcontinental United States” and was completed in 1965. Since its creation, people have come from all over to visit the monument and take the ‘elevator’ to the top. We use the term elevator lightly because it’s more like a combination of an elevator and a Ferris wheel. It’s typically referred to as a tram. It takes about 4 minutes to get to the top of the arch, and each cart can hold 5 seated people. During the trip to the top and back, the capsule rotates 155 degrees, relying on the weight of the passengers to keep it balanced.

3. A’DAM Lookout elevator

The A’DAM Lookout is located in Amsterdam and has a 360-degree view of the city. The twenty-story elevator takes you to the top in just 20 seconds, but this is no ordinary elevator. The elevator features a spectacular light show with sound effects and a see-through ceiling. The elevator is just one part of the overall lookout experience. The building also features a giant swing on the top of the building, where you can hang almost 350 feet above the city. Other experiences include a VR Roller Coaster ride, an interactive binocular tour, a sky top bar, and a panoramic restaurant.

Now that you’re well versed in the most interesting elevators around the globe, you might have questions about your own home or commercial elevator. Need to get in touch? Just contact our team. 

 

3 Common Myths about Residential Elevators

Most people don’t even think about putting an elevator in their home because of a few common misconceptions, but in reality, an elevator can be a great addition to your home. Here are 3 myths about residential elevators that you shouldn’t believe.

1. Residential elevators are unsafe and prone to malfunction 

Stereotypically, people think that residential elevators are less reliable than their commercial counterparts, and therefore are unsafe. This is far from the truth. There are many safety regulations and laws that have to be followed when installing an elevator in your home. These laws regulate things like speed, how much weight an elevator can hold, and the safety protocols that are required. 

When thinking about potential elevator malfunctions, people tend to worry about a cable breaking and the elevator falling. Elevators are equipped with multiple cables, so if one breaks there are backups. People worry that they will exceed the weight limit and cause the elevator to fall. This is also untrue. If an elevator is holding too much weight, it will make noise and stay still until people get off and the weight drops below the limit. 

Finally, there are concerns about power outages. Most elevators today are equipped with backup battery power, so if the power goes out, the safety features will engage and lower you to the nearest floor. Just because an elevator is being installed in a home as opposed to a commercial area doesn’t mean it’s any less safe. Similar safety protocols are followed either way.

2. Residential elevators require tons of maintenance/repairs

People might think that a home elevator will break down all of the time and require constant maintenance or repairs. This is why it is important to choose the right company to install your elevator. At Godwin Elevators, we ensure that your elevator is properly installed and works correctly. We also stress the importance of preventative maintenance. If you get your elevator checked every year as we recommend, you are less likely to have unexpected problems. It may seem like home elevators need more maintenance but that is because companies are more likely to have their commercial elevators checked than homeowners. 

3. Residential elevators are only for the wealthy

Many people don’t even consider the option of a home elevator because they associate them with the affluent. This is a myth. Prices for residential elevators can vary based on the number of floors or cab type. Home elevators can vary in price, but if they seem too pricey there are other cheaper options like chair lifts to make your home accessible for everyone.

Residential elevators can be a great addition to your home. Contact us today to talk more about your options.

Elevator FAQs: Your Top 3 Questions Answered

1. How often is an elevator serviced?

To make sure all equipment is working properly, Godwin Elevator recommends that an elevator be serviced once a year. Elevators are also inspected annually to ensure passenger safety. If an elevator is more than 20 years old, modernization will likely be recommended. Old equipment not only hinders the elevator’s overall performance but can sometimes create safety risks, so it’s important for old equipment to be evaluated to ensure it meets current safety standards.

2. Can an elevator free-fall

Most elevators are equipped with several safety devices. So, if one fails, there is always backup safety. And despite popular belief, an elevator won’t fall just because it’s overcrowded. In fact, if there is too much weight on an elevator, it typically won’t even begin moving. It will sound an alarm until enough passengers get off that the weight requirements are met. The only situations that could cause an elevator to free fall are fire or structural collapse. One of the most well-known instances was in 1945 when a plane hit the empire state building and severed an elevators’ cables. 

3. Are all elevators the same?

The short answer is no. Not only do elevators differ in type – hydraulic versus traction (read more about this on our blog,) but there are also several different categories for elevators:

Passenger: A passenger elevator is one used to carry people. Its primary purposes are convenience and accessibility, and they’re typically designed to carry less weight. Passenger elevators are typically rated somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds depending on building size. 

Freight: Freight elevators are intended to move goods, materials, and equipment only. They move more slowly and operate differently than passenger elevators. Most of the time, freight elevators open vertically while passenger elevators open horizontally. They also require separate buttons for things like calling the car, opening the doors, and closing the doors. This is to allow for greater control over the operation of the elevator. Because freight elevators are built out of necessity, not convenience, they don’t look as aesthetically pleasing and are built to carry heavier loads. Sometimes, the elevator is even customized to accommodate certain equipment. 

Limited Use Limited Application (LULA): LULA elevators work like a typical passenger elevator, but they are a bit smaller. They are designed specifically for handicapped residents or visitors to a building. They typically only move two or three stories and are rated for fewer passengers or less weight. Many people opt for one of these types of elevators because they are cheaper and take up less space.

Residential: Residential elevators are the smallest type of elevator and are built into homes for single-family use. 

If you have any elevator questions of your own, please contact us today!

How an Elevator Works

You’ve probably stepped onto an elevator hundreds of times, but have you ever questioned how it works?

You’ve probably stepped onto an elevator hundreds of times, but have you ever questioned how it works? How it balances your weight to keep you from falling? After taking a look behind the scenes, you may never look at an elevator ride the same way again.

In 1861, Elisha Graves Otis created what would be the first iteration of the elevator that we use today. It was the first time anyone had created an elevator equipped with a safety feature, a device to keep it from falling if the lifting rope broke. Today, there are two types of elevators that are typically used – and lucky for us, both come equipped with safety features standard.

The Hydraulic Elevator

Hydraulic elevators are comprised of a cylinder, hydraulic fluid, a piston, a fluid reservoir, a rotary pump, and a valve. When the elevator needs to go up, the pump sends fluid into the cylinder which closes the valve. This pressurizes the fluid and moves the piston up. To go down, the valve opens and fluid is released back into the reservoir. The machine room to house the mechanism for a hydraulic elevator is typically located on the lowest floor. 

Safety Because of the hydraulic arm, the elevator car is never suspended in the air. It is always being held up, no matter where the elevator is. There are fewer moving parts than a roped elevator, so as long as you get your elevator maintained regularly, it’s completely safe. 

The Roped Elevator 

Roped elevators can travel much quicker than hydraulic elevators. These elevators include a counterweight to balance the car, the electric motor, breaks, metal chains and pulleys, and a safety system. It’s basically an elaborate rope and pulley system. The ropes are wrapped around a sheave that is connected to the electric motor. When the motor turns one way, the car goes up, and when it turns the other way, the car goes down. The ropes are connected on the other side to a counterweight that weighs as much as 40% of the elevator’s capacity. Typically all of this equipment is housed in a machine room above the elevator shaft. 

Safety Although one rope can easily carry the weight of the car and the counterweight Every roped elevator is built with multiple ropes. This is the first line of safety. Elevators are built with between four and eight ropes, typically, so if one breaks, there are plenty more to ensure the car doesn’t fall. Other than the ropes, the cars also have built-in braking systems just in case.

If this isn’t already more than you want to know about how an elevator works, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have!