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Glossary Terms

Alarm Bell:

An electric bell located either in or outside the hoistway and should be audible to building operating personnel; it is connected to a push button in the car operating panel, and is available to elevator passengers for summoning aid in emergencies. A second, battery operated bell, is recommended located on the car itself as a backup or for use during a possible power failure.

Armature:

The revolving part of a direct current motor or generator, or part of a magnet frame on a switch.

Annunciator:

An electrical device in the car which indicates visually to the attendant, by means of a target or light, the calls made by passengers waiting at the landings.

Balustrade:

on an escalator, the assembly of panels, newels, handrail deck, etc., which constitute that sides of the unit through which the passengers ride. Panels may be metal or glass.

Bearing, Thrust:

A ball bearing located at the end of a geared machine worm shaft for the purpose of absorbing the lateral thrust generated by operation of the machine (see “Worm Shaft and Worm Gear”)

Bell, Door Open:

Same as “Bell, Call” except that it signals that a manual operated hoistway door is open, and is preventing operation of the elevator.

Bell, Call:

A bell or buzzer in the car activated by a hall button to give an audible signal that the car is needed at another landing.

Brake:

An integral part of an elevator, dumbwaiter or escalator driving machine which operates to stop the unit and/or to hold the weight of the load at a fixed position.

Buffer:

A device located in the pit designed to stop a descending car or counterweight beyond its normal limit of travel by absorbing and dissipating the kinetic energy of the descending car or counterweight.

Oil Buffer:

A buffer using oil as a medium which absorbs and dissipates the kinetic energy of the descending car or counterweight. (typically seen on elevator 250fpm and faster)

Spring Buffer:

A buffer utilizing a spring to dissipate the kinetic energy of the descending car or counterweight.

Cam, Retiring:

A motor-operated or electromagnetic-operated device on a car, used to unlock the hoistway door locking system or interlock.

Car Door or Gate Electric Contact:

An electrical device, the function of which is to prevent operation of the driving machine by the normal operating device unless the car door or gate is in the closed position.

Car, Elevator:

The load-carrying unit including its platform, car frame, enclosure and car door or gate.

Car Enclosure:

The top and the walls of the car resting on and attached the car platform.

Car Frame (Sling):

The supporting frame to which the car platform, upper an lower sets of guide shoes, car safety and the hoist rope or hoist rope sheaves, or the plunger of a direct plunge elevator are attached.

Car Operating Panel (C.O.P.):

The assembly of buttons, lights, switches, etc., placed in the elevator car for use of passengers and/or attendant, for entering passenger destinations and for operation of safety features.

Car Platform:

The structure which forms the floor of the car and which directly supports the load.

Clearance, Bottom Car:

The clear vertical distance from the pit floor to the lowest structural or mechanical part, equipment or device installed beneath the car platform, except guide shoes or roller guides, safety jaw assemblies and platform aprons or guards, when the car rests on its fully compressed buffers.

Clearance, Top Car:

The shortest vertical distance between the top of the car crosshead, or between the top of the car where no crosshead is provided, and the nearest part of the overhead structure or any other obstruction when the car floor is level with the top terminal landing.

Comb plate switch:

An electro-mechanical device which when operated by vertical movement of the comb plate will interrupt the power circuit of an escalator. Employed as a safety device.

Comb Plate:

A pronged plate that forms part of an escalator (or moving walk) landing and engages with the Cleats of the steps (or treadway) at the limits of travel.

Control System:

The system of equipment by means of which starting, stopping, direction of motion, speed, acceleration, and retardation of the moving member are controlled.

1. Single‐Speed Alternating Current Control — A control for a driving machine induction motor which is arranged to run at a single‐speed.

2. Two‐Speed Alternating Current Control — A control for a two‐speed driving machine induction motor which is arranged to run at two different synchronous speeds either by pole changing of a single motor or by two different armatures.

3. Rheostatic Control — A system of control which is accomplished by varying resistance or reactance or both in the armature or field circuit or both of the driving machine motor.

4. Variable Voltage Motor Control (Generator Field Control) — A system of control which is accomplished by the use of an individual generator for each lift wherein the voltage applied to the driving machine motor is adjusted by varying the strength and direction of the generator field.

5. Electronic Devices — A system of control which is accomplished by the use of electronic devices for driving the lift motor at variable speed.

6. Alternating Current Variable Voltage (ACW) Control — A system of speed control which is accomplished by varying the driving and braking torque by way of voltage variation of the power supply to the driving machine induction motor.

7. Alternating Current Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (ACVVVF) Control — A system of speed control which is accomplished by varying the voltage and frequency of the power supply to the driving machine induction motor.

8. Solid‐State d.c. Variable Voltage Control — A solid‐state system of speed control which is accomplished by varying the voltage and direction of the power supply to the armature of driving machine d.c. motor.

Counter Weight:

A weight or combination of weights to counterbalance the weight of the car and part of the rated load.

Determining Entrance Level:

The inside floor level at the entrance to the building.

Deflector Sheave:

An idler pulley used to change the direction of a rope lead.

Door, Centre Opening Sliding:

A door which slides horizontally and consists of two panels which open from the centre and are so interconnected that they move simultaneously.

Door, Hinged:

The hinged portion of the hoistway enclosure which closes the opening giving access to the landing.

Door, Mid Bar Collapsible:

A collapsible door with vertical bars mounted between the normal vertical members.

Door, Multi‐panel:

A door arrangement whereby more than one panel is used such that the panels are connected together and can slide over one another by which means the clear opening can be maximized for a given shaft width. Multipanels are used in centre opening and two speed sliding doors.

Door, Single Slide:

A single panel door which slides horizontally.

Door, Two Speed:

A two panel door which slides horizontally in the same direction wherein each panel has different operating speed and reaches the ends simultaneously.

Door, Vertical Bi‐parting:

A door or shutter which slides vertically and consists of two panels or sets of panels that move away from each other to open and are so interconnected that they move simultaneously.

Door, Vertical Lifting:

A single panel door, which slides in the same plane vertically up to open.

Door, Swing:

A swinging type single panel door which is opened manually and closed by means of a door closer when released.

Door Close:

A device which automatically closes a manually opened door.

Door Operator:

A power‐operated device for opening and closing doors.

Driving Machinery:

The motorized power unit for driving the lift, escalator or moving walk.

Dumbwaiter:

A small lift with a car which moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction, has net floor area, total inside height and capacity not exceeding 0.9 m2, 1.25 m and 225 kg respectively and is exclusively used for carrying materials and no person. It may or may not be provided with fixed or removable shelves.

Electrical and Mechanical Interlock:

A device provided to prevent simultaneous operation of both up and down relays.

Electro‐Mechanical Lock:

A device which combines in one unit, electrical contact and a mechanical lock jointly used for the landing and/or car doors.

Emergency Stop Push or Switch:

A push button or switch provided inside the car designed to open the control circuit to cause the lift car to stop during emergency.

Hoistway:

The hoistway having enclosure walls of continuous construction without openings except for doors at landings.

Escalator:

A power driven, inclined, continuously moving stairway used for carrying passengers from one level to another.

Escalator Landing:

The portion of the building or structure which is used to receive or discharge passengers into or from an escalator.

Escalator Landing Zone:

A space extending from a horizontal plane 40 cm below a landing to a plane 40 cm above the landing.

Escalator Machine:

The mechanism and other equipment in connection therewith used for moving the escalator

Floor:

The lower surface in a storey on which one normally walks in a building. The general term 'floor', unless otherwise specifically mentioned shall not refer to a 'mezzanine floor'.

Floor Leveling Switch:

A switch for bringing the car to level at slow speed in case of double speed or variable speed machines.

Floor Selector:

A mechanism forming a part of the control equipment, in certain automatic lifts, designed to operate controls which cause the lift car to stop at the required landings.

Floor Stopping Switch:

A switch or combination of switches arranged to bring the car to rest automatically at or near any pre‐selected landing.

Geared Machine:

A machine in which the power is transmitted to the sheave through worm or worm and spur reduction gearing.

Gearless Machine:

A hoist machine in which the motive power is transmitted to the driving sheave from the motor without intermediate reduction gearing and has the brake drum mounted directly on the motor shaft.

Material Lift:

A lift designed primarily for the transport of goods, but which may carry a lift attendant or other persons necessary for the loading or unloading of goods.

Governor:

A device which automatically actuates safety devices to bring the lift car and/or counter weight to rest in the event the speed of the equipment in the descending direction exceeds a predetermined limit.

Guide Rails:

The members used to guide the movement of a lift car or counterweight in a vertical direction.

Guide Rails fixing:

The complete assy. comprising the guide rails bracket and its fastenings.

Guide Rails Shoe:

An attachment to the car frame or counterweight for the purpose of guiding the lift car or counter weight frame.

Handling Capacity:

The capacity of the lift system to carry passengers during a five minute peak period, expressed as the percentage of the estimated total population handled.

Hoisting Beam:

A beam, mounted immediately below the machine room ceiling, to which lifting tackle can be fixed for raising or lowering parts of the lift machine.

Hospital Lift:

A lift normally installed in a hospital, nursing home or clinic and designed to accommodate one number bed/stretcher along its depth, with sufficient space all around to carry a minimum of three attendants in addition to the lift operator.

Hydraulic Lift:

A lift where the vertical movement is done by hydraulic force.

Interval:

Average time gap(s) between consecutive lifts leaving the ground floor or passing any specific floor.

Landing:

That portion of a building or structure used for the reception and discharge of passengers or goods or both into and from a lift car, escalator or moving walk.

Landing Call Push Button (Lift):

A push button fitted at a lift landing, either for calling the lift car or for actuating the call indicator.

Landing Door (Lift):

The hinged or sliding portion of a lift well enclosure, controlling access to a lift car at a lift landing.

Landing Plate:

The portion of the landing immediately above the mechanism at either end of escalator or moving walk and constructed so as to give access to this mechanism in these areas.

Landing Zone:

A space extending from a horizontal plane 400 mm below a landing to a plane 400 mm above the landing.

Leveling Device, Lift Car:

Any mechanism which either automatically or under the control of the operator, moves the car within the leveling zone towards the landing only, and automatically stops it at the landing.

Leveling Device, One Way Automatic:

A device which corrects the car level only in case of under run of the car but will not maintain the level during loading and unloading.

Leveling Device, Two‐Way Automatic Maintaining:

A device which corrects the car level on both under run and over‐run and maintains the level during loading and unloading.

Leveling Device, Two Way Automatic Non‐Maintaining:

A device which corrects the car level on both under run and over run but will not maintain the level during loading and unloading.

Leveling Zone:

The limited distance above or below a lift landing within which the leveling device may cause movement of the car towards the landing.

Lift:

A machine designed to transport persons or materials between two or more levels in a vertical or substantially vertical direction by means of a guided car or platform. The word "elevator" is also synonymously used for "lift"

Lift Car:

The load carrying unit with its floor or platform, car frame and enclosing bodywork.

Lift Landing:

That portion of a building or structure used for discharge of passengers or goods or both into or from a lift car.

Lift Machine:

The part of the lift equipment comprising motor(s) and control gear therewith, reduction gear (if any), brake(s) and winding drum or sheave, by which the lift car is raised or lowered.

Lift Pit:

The space in the lift well below the level of the lowest lift landing served.

Lift System:

One or more lift cars serving the same building.

Lift Well:

The unobstructed space within an enclosure provided for the vertical movement of the lift car(s) and any counter weight(s), including the lift pit and the space for top clearance.

Lift Well Enclosure:

Any structure which separates the lift well from its surroundings.

Lifting Beam:

A beam, mounted immediately below the machine room ceiling to which lifting tackle can be fixed for raising parts of the lift machine.

Machine Room:

The compartment allocated to house the lift machine and associated items.

Machinery Space:

The space occupied by the driving machine and control gear of the lift, escalator or moving walk.

Mezzanine:

An intermediate floor between two floors above ground level.

Moving Walk:

A power driven, horizontal or inclined, continuously moving conveyor used for carrying passengers, horizontally or at an incline up to a maximum of 15 degree.

Newel:

An upright support of the handrail at the landing of escalator/moving walk where the handrail reverses its direction.

Open Type Well:

A lift well having enclosure walls of wire grille or similar construction.

Operation:

The method of actuating the control and/or functioning any lift machine/equipment.

1. Automatic Operation: A method of operation in which by a momentary pressure of a button the lift car is set in motion and caused to stop automatically at any required lift landing.

2. Non‐Selective Collective Automatic Operation: Automatic operation by means of one button in the car for each landing level served and one button at each landing, wherein all stops registered by the momentary actuation of landing or car buttons are made irrespective of the number of buttons actuated or of the sequence in which the buttons are actuated. With this type of operation, the car stops at all landings for which buttons have been actuated making the stops in the order in which the landings are reached after the buttons have been actuated but irrespective of its direction of travel.

3. Selective Collective Automatic Operation: Automatic operation by means of one button in the car for each landing level served and by up and down buttons at the landings, wherein all stops registered by the momentary actuation of the car made as defined under non‐selective collective automaticoperation, but wherein the stops registered by the momentary actuation of the landing buttons are made in the order in which the landings are reached in each direction of travel after the buttons have been actuated. With this type of operation, all 'up' landing calls are answered when the car is travelling in the up direction and all `down' landing calls are answered when the car is travelling in the down direction, except in the case of the uppermost or lowermost calls which are answered as soon as they are reached irrespective of the direction of travel of the car.

4. Single Automatic Operation: Automatic operation by means of one button in the car for each landing level served and one button at each landing so arranged that if any car or landing button has been actuated, the actuation of any other car or landing operation button will have no effect on the movement of the car until the response to the first button has been completed.

5. Group Automatic Operation: Automatic operation of two or more non‐attendant lifts equipped with power‐operated car and landing doors. The operation of the cars is co‐ordinated by a supervisory operation system including automatic dispatching means whereby selected cars at designated dispatching points automatically close their doors and proceed on their trips in a regulated manner. Typically, it includes one button in each car for each floor served and up and down buttons at each landing (single buttons at terminal landings). The stops set up by the momentary actuation of the car buttons are made automatically in succession as a car reaches the corresponding landings irrespective of its direction of travel or the sequence in which the buttons are actuated. The stops set up by the momentary actuation of the landing buttons may be accomplished by any lift in the group, and are made automatically by the first available car that approaches the landing in the corresponding direction.

6. Car Switch Operation: Method of operation by which the movement of lift car is directly under the operation of the attendant by means of a handle.

7. Signal Operation: Same as collective operation, except that the closing of the door is initiated by the attendant.

8. Double Button (Continuous Pressure) Operation: Operation by means of buttons or switches in the car and at the landings any of which may be used to control the movement of the car as long as the button or switch is manually pressed in the actuating position.

Operating Device:

A car switch, push button or other device employed to actuate the control.

Overhead Beams (Lift):

The members, usually of steel or reinforced concrete, which immediately support the lift equipment at the top of the lift well.

Overhead Pulley:

An idler pulley used to change the direction of rope.

Passenger Lift:

A lift designed for the transport of passengers.

Position and/or Direction Indicator:

A device which indicates on the lift landing or in the lift car or both, the position of the car in the lift well or the direction or both in which the lift car is travelling.

Power Operated Door:

A door operated automatically by a device initiated by a momentary pressure on the push button or by operation of the control system.

Rated Load:

The maximum load which the lift car, escalator or moving walk is designed and installed to carry safely at its rated speed.

Rated Speed (Lift):

The speed attained by the lift in the up direction with rated load in the lift car. Also known as CAR SPEED.

Rated Speed (Escalator):

The speed at which the escalator is designed to operate in the up direction. It is the rate of travel of the steps, measured along the angle of inclination with rated load on the steps or carriage.

Rated Speed (Moving Walk):

The speed at which the moving walk is designed to operate in the up direction. It is the rate of travel of the tread way, measured along the angle of inclination with rated load on the tread way.

Roping Multiple:

A system of roping where, in order to obtain a multiplying the factor from the machine to the car, multiple falls of rope are run around sheave on the car or counterweight or both. It includes roping arrangement of 2 to‐1.3 to 1 etc.

Safety Gear:

A mechanical device attached to the car frame or the counter weight to stop and hold the car or counter weight to the guides in the event of a free fall. Governor operated safety gears are used to stop the car or counterweight when it travels at a speed exceeding a predetermined speed.

Service Lift:

A lift designed primarily for the transport of goods, but which may carry a lift attendant or other persons necessary for the loading and unloading of goods.

Sheave:

A rope wheel, the rim of which is grooved to receive the suspension ropes but to which the ropes are not rigidly attached and by means of which power is transmitted from the lift machine to the suspension ropes.

Slack Rope Switch:

Switch provided to open the control circuit in case of slackening of rope(s)

Storey:

The space between the surface of one floor and the surface of the adjacent floor vertically above or below it. The term 'Floor' shall include 'Roof' but will exclude mezzanine floors.

Storeys For Specific Use:

Storeys which are named according to their functions and the specific uses they are put to. For example, a duct storey is one through which service pipes and electrical conduits may be taken.

Subsidiary Storey:

A storey which occurs below the determining entrance level but above the basement storey.

Suspension Ropes (Lift):

The ropes by which the car and counter‐weight are suspended.

Terminal Slow Down Switch:

A switch when actuated shall compulsorily cut off the high speed and switch on the circuitry to run the lift in leveling speed before reaching on terminal landings.

Terminal Stopping Switch Normal:

Switch for cutting all the energizing current in case of car travelling beyond the top bottom landing or a switch cuts off the energizing current so as to bring the car to stop at the top and bottom level.

Terminal Stopping Device Final:

A device which automatically cause the power to be removed from an electric lift driving machine motor and brake, independent of the functioning of the normal terminal stopping device, the operating device or any emergency terminal stopping device, after the car has passed a terminal landing.