Lift motor room
A lift (or elevator) is a form of vertical transportation between building floors, levels or decks, commonly found in multi-storey buildings.
A lift motor room (sometimes referred to as an elevator machine room), is a room that houses the machinery and electrical controls that operate a lift.
A lift motor room will typically contain:
- Electrical disconnects.
- Machine (geared, gearless or drum type).
- Machine brake.
- Drive motor.
- Encoder.
- Motor generator set.
- Selector.
- Counterweight governor.
- Rope gripper.
- Light fixtures and light control switch.
- Fire alarm devices.
- Hoist beam.
- HVAC equipment.
- Deflector sheaves.
Typically, the entrance to a lift motor room is located in a public corridor, but the room should be fully enclosed or otherwise secured against non-authorised access.
A lift motor room should be well-ventilated and provided with a controlled environment to prevent damage to the equipment. A lifting beam on the ceiling and a floor hatch should be included so that heavy machinery and parts can be winched in and out of the room.
For traction lifts, the room is usually located above the hoistway of the lift that is served by the equipment. This is often on a rooftop of a building or two storeys above the highest storey that the lift serves.
The room can also be found on the ground floor or in the basement if overhead space is unavailable. In this case, the lift cable is a complete chain with an unpowered sheave at the top of the shaft and a powered sheave at the bottom. It may also be on the ground floor or in the basement in the case of hydraulic lifts.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.