Elevator planning is the early-stage process of defining the type, size, capacity, and location of a lift before construction begins, the step that decides whether a building moves smoothly for decades or needs costly redesigns later. This guide is for architects, developers, contractors, and homeowners across Kenya who want a practical framework for getting elevator decisions right the first time. You’ll learn the key planning steps, codes that apply in Kenya, hoistway and pit dimensions by building type, and how to brief your team with confidence.
What Is Elevator Planning?
Elevator planning is the technical work done before a lift is built, defining the elevator type, capacity, speed, hoistway dimensions, pit depth, and code compliance. It happens in the schematic design phase, before structural drawings are signed off.
This differs from elevator installation, the physical build: hoisting equipment, wiring controls, and commissioning.
In Kenya, this is where most projects fail. Architects often finalize floor plans before consulting a lift vendor, only to find the shaft too narrow or the pit too shallow. Fixing it later costs five to ten times more.
Why Elevator Planning Matters in Kenya?
In Kenya, planning early matters for three reasons.
- Cost: design changes during construction cost 5–10× more than the same change in the schematic phase, per the MacLeamy Curve (AIA).
- Compliance: the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) adopts EN 81-20 and EN 81-50, and non-compliant lifts fail National Construction Authority inspection, blocking the occupancy certificate.
- Density: Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu now require a lift in most buildings above four floors.
The 7 Key Steps of Elevator Planning
Follow these seven steps in order, skipping any one is where most elevator problems start.
Step 1: Determine the Building Type & Use Case
Classify the building: residential, commercial, hospital, hospitality, or industrial. Each has different traffic patterns, cab sizes, and code requirements.
Step 2: Conduct a Traffic Analysis
Calculate how many people the lift must move during peak five-minute demand. Target handling capacity of 12–15% for offices and 6–8% for residential, with intervals under 30 seconds. Use CIBSE Guide D as the standard reference.
Step 3: Choose the Elevator Type
Match technology to building: traction for mid- and high-rise (5+ floors), MRL for low- to mid-rise where space is tight, hydraulic for low-rise heavy loads, vacuum/pneumatic for retrofit homes, and dumbwaiter for goods.
Step 4: Hoistway Sizing & Elevator Pit Depth Requirements
Three vertical spaces must be locked early: the hoistway sized to the cab, an elevator pit depth of 1.0–1.5 m (residential) or 1.4–2.0 m (commercial), and overhead clearance of 3.6–4.5 m. Confirm with your vendor before the slab is poured.
Step 5: Plan Electrical & HVAC Requirements
Lifts need a dedicated three-phase supply, emergency lighting, and machine-room cooling below 35–40 °C. Given Kenya’s load shedding, plan backup power, generator changeover or UPS for rescue operation.
Step 6: Confirm Code Compliance
Kenyan lifts must meet EN 81-20 (safety), EN 81-50 (testing), and ISO 4190 (dimensions) via KEBS. Buildings over 25 m require a firefighters’ lift under EN 81-72.
Step 7: Coordinate with Architect, Engineer & Lift Vendor
Bring the lift vendor in at concept stage, not at tender. The architect locks location, the structural engineer confirms load capacity, and the MEP engineer signs off power and ventilation.
Elevator Planning by Building Type
Residential Homes & Apartments
In Kenya, residential elevator specifications typically call for 6–8 person cabs (450–630 kg), 1.0 m/s speeds, and MRL or vacuum systems. Elevator pit depth: 1.0–1.4 m, overhead: 3.6 m. Kenya tip: always specify a battery-backed automatic rescue device, load shedding makes entrapments a real risk.
Commercial Offices
Offices need 12–15% handling capacity in five minutes, speeds of 1.6–2.5 m/s, and grouped control where multiple lifts share a lobby. Cabs: 13–21 persons (1,000–1,600 kg). Kenya tip: plan a separate service lift above 10 floors, using one passenger lift for fit-outs damages interiors fast.
Hotels & Hospitals
Hotels need separate guest and service lifts. Hospitals require bed lifts sized for a stretcher with attendants, typically 1.4 × 2.4 m at 1,600–2,000 kg, with 1.1–1.3 m doors. Kenya tip: follow Ministry of Health KEPH facility guidelines and locate bed lifts close to wards and theatres.
Common Elevator Planning Mistakes to Avoid
- Undersized hoistway — locking shaft dimensions before confirming cab size with the vendor; fixing it later means breaking structural walls.
- Ignoring pit depth before pouring foundations — once the slab is cast, increasing pit depth from 1.0 m to 1.4 m means demolition.
- No machine-room cooling — controllers fail above 35–40 °C; Nairobi rooftops without HVAC trigger nuisance shutdowns.
- Wrong elevator class for the traffic load — one 8-person cab in a 12-floor office creates lobby queues no upgrade fully fixes.
- No firefighters’ lift above 25 m — EN 81-72 is mandatory; missing it blocks the occupancy certificate at handover.
- Choosing a vendor without local spare-parts support — imports take weeks; partnering with an established regional provider like IET Solutions keeps downtime measured in hours, not weeks.
Plan Early, Plan with the Right Partner
Good elevator planning comes down to three things: start early, comply with EN 81-20/50 and KEBS standards, and choose a vendor with proven regional experience. Get these right and the lift runs reliably for decades; get them wrong and you’ll pay 5–10× more later.
Planning a lift for your project in Kenya? Talk to IET Solutions for a customized elevator solution.
FAQs:
How do you plan for an elevator in a building?
Plan in seven steps: define the building type, run a traffic analysis, choose the elevator type, size the hoistway and pit depth, plan electrical and HVAC needs, confirm EN 81-20/50 compliance, then coordinate with the architect, structural engineer, and lift vendor before drawings are signed off.
What is the 3:4 rule for elevators?
The 3:4 rule is a rough planning guideline suggesting one elevator for every three to four floors in a mid-rise building, or roughly one lift per 4,650 m² of net floor area. It’s a starting estimate only, a proper CIBSE Guide D traffic analysis gives accurate sizing.
What is pit depth in an elevator and how much is required?
Elevator pit depth is the vertical space below the lowest landing that houses the buffer, lower rails, and safety equipment. In Kenya, plan 1.0–1.4 m for residential lifts, 1.4–2.0 m for commercial lifts, and up to 2.5 m for high-speed traction lifts under EN 81-20.
When should elevator planning start in a construction project?
Elevator planning should start at the schematic design phase, before structural drawings are finalized and foundations poured. Bringing the lift vendor in at the concept stage prevents costly retrofits and ensures correct pit depth and hoistway sizing.
Sources:
- https://atis.com/posts/new-construction-elevator-planning-guide
- https://www.cibessymmetry.com/blog/what-is-elevator-planning-guide
- https://www.cibessymmetry.com/blog/residential-elevator-planning-for-future
- https://www.schindler.com/en/media/news-press-releases/top-5-tips-for-effective-elevator-planning.html
