Glossary
Hoistway
The vertical shaft or enclosure in which the elevator car and counterweight travel, extending from the pit at the bottom to the overhead at the top.
The hoistway (also called the shaft or well) is the enclosed vertical space that contains all of the elevator's moving components: the car, counterweight (in traction systems), guide rails, travelling cable, and safety equipment. Hoistway walls are typically constructed of concrete, masonry, or drywall on steel framing, and must meet fire-resistance ratings specified by building codes — usually one or two hours depending on building height.
Key hoistway dimensions include the width and depth (which determine the car size), the pit depth (the space below the lowest landing), and the overhead clearance (the space above the top landing to the hoistway ceiling). These dimensions are established early in building design and are difficult to change later, so coordinating with the elevator manufacturer during the design phase is critical.
The hoistway also contains landing door frames and sills at each floor, and provides space for wiring, interlock circuits, and position-sensing devices. Maintaining the hoistway in clean, dry condition is important for elevator reliability — water infiltration, construction debris, and pest infestations are common sources of elevator faults.