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Choosing elevator shaft dimensions correctly before construction can save the owner substantial later alterations and costs. Shaft size depends on the elevator’s rated load, car area, motor type, speed, and equipment arrangement inside the shaft and machine room.
Prepared and technically reviewed by the Quartz Elevators team, Jeddah | Last updated: September 2026
In this guide, Quartz Elevators in Jeddah explains proposed coordination dimensions for two common residential elevators: 450 kg for six persons and 630 kg for eight persons, along with key pit, overhead, machine-room, and electrical requirements. The guide supports preliminary planning for buildings and villas in Jeddah, drawing on Quartz’s elevator experience since 2012.
Important note: The dimensions in this article are preliminary and apply to an elevator with its motor in a machine room and a speed of one meter per second. Do not begin construction or close up door openings until the elevator company issues the final installation drawings. Dimensions may vary with the motor type, suspension system, counterweight arrangement, and manufacturer’s specifications.
The Short Answer
- Shaft size for a six-person elevator, 450 kg: 170 cm wide × 170 cm deep, with a maximum clear car area of 1.30 m².
- Shaft size for an eight-person elevator, 630 kg: 170 cm wide × 200 cm deep, with a maximum clear car area of 1.66 m².
- Preliminary pit depth at 1 m/s: 100 cm.
- Overhead clearance: The full height of the top floor plus 100 cm, measured up to the underside of the machine-room floor.
Guide Contents
Elevator Shaft Dimensions Table
The following dimensions are suggestions for preliminary coordination of the system described in this guide. They are not standard dimensions for all elevators.
| Rated load | Number of persons | Proposed shaft dimensions | Maximum clear car area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 450 kg | 6 persons | 170 cm wide × 170 cm deep | 1.30 m² |
| 630 kg | 8 persons | 170 cm wide × 200 cm deep | 1.66 m² |
What Is the Difference Between Shaft Size and Car Size?
Elevator shaft size is the clear internal measurement of the structural space containing the moving car, counterweight, and equipment. In contrast, car size is the clear internal space available to passengers, which is smaller than the shaft.
Shaft dimensions must not be treated as car dimensions. Some of the space is reserved for guide rails, the counterweight, clearances, doors, and safety components. Car area is calculated by multiplying the clear internal width by the clear internal depth.
Shaft Size for 450 kg, Six Persons
For an elevator with a machine room and a rated load of 450 kg, or six persons, the proposed shaft dimensions are 170 cm wide × 170 cm deep.
The clear car area must not exceed 1.30 square meters, calculated by multiplying the clear car width by its clear depth. This limit corresponds to Table 6 on the relationship between rated load and maximum available car area in European standard EN 81-20:2020.
Shaft Size for 630 kg, Eight Persons
For an elevator with a machine room and a rated load of 630 kg, or eight persons, the proposed shaft dimensions are 170 cm wide × 200 cm deep.
The clear car area must not exceed 1.66 square meters. This limit corresponds to Table 6 on the relationship between rated load and maximum available car area in European standard EN 81-20:2020.
For technical reference, standard EN 81-20:2020 covers safety rules for the construction and installation of passenger and goods passenger elevators and is included among the European harmonized standards references for elevators.
Elevator Pit Depth and Overhead Clearance
When determining shaft dimensions, pit depth and overhead clearance depend on elevator speed and design. At a speed of one meter per second, which is used in many residential buildings, we use the following preliminary dimensions:
- A pit depth of 100 cm.
- Add 100 cm above the full height of the top floor as overhead safety clearance below the underside of the machine-room floor.
In other words, the full height of the top floor is counted, then one meter is added for overhead safety clearance. Final dimensions remain subject to the installation drawings and manufacturer’s requirements.
Machine-Room Dimensions and Preparation
The machine room should preferably extend beyond the shaft dimensions by approximately 50 cm in each direction, providing suitable space for the machine, control panel, installation, and maintenance.
A proposed clear machine-room height is 220 cm, with a reinforced roof properly waterproofed against rain. The final height and working clearances must follow the installation drawings.
It is also preferable to provide a lifting hook at the center of the machine-room ceiling when the roof slab is cast. The structural engineer determines the hook’s safe working load, design, and approval so it can be used to lift the machine during installation or maintenance.
When reviewing elevator shaft dimensions, coordinate the machine room and its slab with the same drawings so that openings and equipment locations match the design.
Machine-Room Slab Reinforcement
No single reinforcement bar size or arrangement suits every project. The structural engineer must design the machine-room slab and its reinforcement according to:
- Machine and equipment weights.
- Support reactions and operating loads.
- Required opening locations.
- Drawings issued by the elevator company.
The elevator drawings must therefore be given to the structural engineer before casting the machine-room slab. Quartz’s home and villa elevator installation team in Jeddah can review project requirements before the final dimensions are approved.
Machine-Room Air Conditioning and Ventilation
A window is not essential when suitable air conditioning and ventilation are provided, while waterproofing the room against rain is essential to protect the machine and controls.
A split air conditioner with a capacity of 12,000 BTU/h may be proposed for typical residential projects. The final capacity must be determined by room size, equipment heat loads, and the manufacturer’s instructions.
After approving elevator shaft dimensions and preparing the room, electrical requirements must be reviewed. Dimensions alone do not determine motor power or circuit breaker rating.
Elevator Circuit Breaker and Electrical Connections
The elevator is fitted with a three-phase circuit breaker. Its rating and the cable size are determined by motor power, the inverter, and the load schedule. A breaker rating of 60 A may be used in some configurations after the project’s electrical calculations are approved.
Machine-room air conditioning and lighting are connected to a circuit separate from the elevator breaker so they remain operational when the elevator is isolated during nighttime faults or maintenance. This also reduces the potential effect of electrical interference and harmonics from the air conditioner on the inverter and control circuit.
Another dedicated elevator breaker is installed in a clearly visible location on the ground floor and labeled ELEVATOR, allowing the elevator to be isolated quickly during heavy rain or emergencies.
When Should Elevator Door Openings Be Finished?
Do not complete the final finishes around elevator doors before they are installed. Leave the full openings at the dimensions specified in the installation drawings, and place a rigid, securely fixed barrier in front of each opening to prevent falls. Do not leave door openings unprotected during construction.
Why Must the Drawings Be Approved Before Construction?
Building the shaft before the elevator drawings are approved can result in insufficient space, conflicts between doors and equipment, or later concrete demolition and alterations. Therefore, Quartz Elevators recommends first determining the rated load, motor type, and elevator speed, then issuing the installation drawings and approving them with the structural engineer before work begins. You can view Quartz elevator projects in Jeddah for examples of completed work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shaft Dimensions
What Shaft Size Is Proposed for a 450 kg, Six-Person Elevator?
The proposed coordination dimensions for a 450 kg elevator with a machine room are 170 × 170 cm, with a clear car area not exceeding 1.30 m².
What Shaft Size Is Proposed for a 630 kg, Eight-Person Elevator?
The proposed coordination dimensions for a 630 kg elevator with a machine room are 170 × 200 cm, with a clear car area not exceeding 1.66 m².
Does 170 × 200 cm Refer to the Car Size?
No. 170 × 200 cm is the proposed shaft size for a 630 kg elevator. The clear car dimensions are determined within that space according to the elevator system and the arrangement of the counterweight and doors, with a maximum car area of 1.66 m².
What Is the Difference Between Six-Person and Eight-Person Elevators?
In this guide, the six-person elevator has a rated load of 450 kg, while the eight-person elevator has a rated load of 630 kg. The higher capacity requires a deeper shaft and permits a larger car area.
How Deep Should the Elevator Pit Be?
At a speed of one meter per second, the preliminary pit depth is 100 cm, with the final depth confirmed in the elevator company’s drawings.
How High Should the Machine Room Be?
A proposed clear height is 220 cm, with the final height and working clearances approved according to the elevator design and installation drawings.
Do These Dimensions Apply to Machine-Room-Less Elevators?
No. These dimensions are for preliminary coordination of an elevator with its motor in a machine room. A machine-room-less elevator requires a separate design and installation drawings for the chosen system.
Request Elevator Shaft Drawings Before Construction
If you are building in Jeddah and need to determine the appropriate Elevator shaft size before pouring concrete or closing up door openings, contact Quartz Elevators to review the rated load and dimensions and prepare suitable drawings for your project.
For after-installation services, you can also visit our Elevator Maintenance in Jeddah.
For inquiries and a site inspection: 920004993
Quartz Elevators — experience in elevator installation, maintenance, and modernization in Jeddah since 2012.