Does a goods lift necessarily require a machine room?

• 1. Why should one forgo a machine room?
  • 1.1 Space savings
  • 1.2 Reduced construction costs
  • 1.3 More flexible installation
  • 1.4 Aesthetics and design
• 2. What requirements must the 'machine room' meet?
  • 2.1 Restricted access
  • 2.2 Adequate ventilation
  • 2.3 Fire protection regulations
  • 2.4 Soundproofing
  • 2.5 Possibility of suitable cable routing
• 3. Placement of the hydraulic unit and control system for scissor lift tables and column lifts
  • 3.1 Scissor lift tables
  • 3.2 Column lifts

Builders and planners often ask themselves when installing a goods lift: Is a machine room really necessary? Since it takes up valuable space in the building, solutions without a machine room are particularly sought after. In this article, we explore the conditions under which a goods lift can be installed without a machine room and the factors that play a role in the decision.

Important Note: Even though a machine room may not always be technically required, local building regulations may mandate the presence of such a room. Therefore, we strongly recommend contacting the local building authority early on to clarify the applicable regulations for the planned construction project.

Before we dive into the technical requirements, a fundamental question arises: Why would one want to forgo a machine room in the first place? Here are some of the key advantages that machine-room-less lifts offer:

Space savings are one of the main reasons why builders and planners choose to forgo a machine room.
This is especially advantageous for retrofitted goods lifts, where no dedicated room for the drive unit and control system was originally planned. Skipping the machine room can provide significant benefits in terms of both space and costs.
In some cases, machine-room-less elevators are the only way to make the installation of a freight elevator in an existing building possible.

But even new constructions can benefit from omitting a machine room:

• The floor plan can be designed more compactly, which reduces overall construction costs.
• The freed-up space can be used for other purposes, such as additional storage or office space.

Since no additional space for technical equipment needs to be planned, construction costs are reduced. This affects both the planning and the construction, as well as the equipping of the machine room, which can lead to significant savings, especially in smaller projects.

Hydraulic lifts offer a crucial advantage here: Since the hydraulic unit and control system can be housed separately from the elevator, this allows for particularly flexible installation — a decisive factor, especially in existing buildings where structural conditions are often limited.

Although a dedicated machine room is not required for the goods lifts built by our company, this does not mean that the hydraulic unit and control system can be placed just anywhere. To ensure smooth operation and a long lifespan of the system, several important requirements must be met.

Let's take a closer look at the criteria the installation site should fulfill:

This does not mean that the installation site should be difficult for our staff to reach. On the contrary, the hydraulic unit and control system should be easily accessible for maintenance or troubleshooting to ensure smooth upkeep.

However, the situation is different when it comes to unauthorized persons: The drive unit should not be installed in publicly accessible areas, as the risk of damage would be too high. To prevent this, it is advisable to place the drive unit in a locked room accessible only to authorized personnel — such as a technical room in the basement.

If you are concerned that tenants or others might accidentally damage the system, using an additional protective cover with a padlock might be a sensible alternative. Feel free to contact us to find a suitable security solution together.

Although our systems generate only minimal heat, the heat that is produced still needs to be dissipated. Therefore, the installation room should either be well-ventilated or sufficiently large to prevent overheating.

Since this request has been brought to us several times: As a general rule, it is not permitted to install the hydraulic unit within escape routes. The control system also poses a potential fire hazard, which in an emergency could make the escape route impassable. To be on the safe side, you should consult with your fire protection expert in case of any doubts.

It is advisable not to place the hydraulic unit in a noise-sensitive room or an open gallery. A stairwell may also be unsuitable, as the noise level can spread easily and disturb the surroundings.

If such placement is unavoidable, feel free to contact us. If necessary, we can encase the hydraulic unit with acoustic insulation mats to reduce the noise level.

The location for the hydraulic unit should be chosen so that cable routing can be done without issues.

Ideally, the unit should be placed in close proximity to the elevator shaft to keep the hydraulic and electrical cables as short as possible, thereby minimizing installation effort.

Additionally, there should be the possibility to install empty conduits for power supply and other elevator components (e.g. safety locks, control unit).

Where exactly can the hydraulic unit and control system be placed for a scissor lift table or column lift? Here are some important tips for optimal placement: