| 1 | Primary purpose | Designed to move people between floors in a private home, often prioritizing convenient access and integration with the residence. | Designed for shared or public buildings, where passenger flow, building capacity, and operating schedules are central considerations. | Confirm that the proposed product is intended for residential use and is suitable for the building’s occupancy and use. |
| 2 | Building integration | May be designed for a private residence with a compact layout; installation requirements depend on the chosen system and building. | Typically coordinated with a building’s lift core, traffic plan, and construction design. | Request dimensioned plans showing the required shaft, pit, overhead clearance, entrances, and structural supports. |
| 3 | Capacity and car size | Capacity and car dimensions are selected for the household’s needs and the available space. | Capacity and car dimensions are planned around expected passenger demand and building use. | Compare rated load and usable car dimensions, rather than relying on a general description such as “compact.” |
| 4 | Travel height and stops | Usually serves the floors of one residence; the permitted travel and number of stops depend on the product and applicable requirements. | May serve more floors and stops, subject to the building design and lift specification. | Ask for written confirmation of the permitted travel, number of landings, and any site-specific limits. |
| 5 | Drive system | Residential products may use systems such as traction, hydraulic, or screw-drive mechanisms, depending on the design. | Commercial lifts commonly use traction systems; hydraulic systems are also used in some applications. | Compare the drive system’s space requirements, operating characteristics, maintenance needs, and suitability for the site. |
| 6 | Speed and traffic performance | Speed is generally selected for residential travel needs and must comply with the product’s applicable safety requirements. | Speed and control are selected to handle the expected traffic and service requirements of the building. | Check the rated speed and intended duty in the technical specification; do not compare speed without considering use and regulations. |
| 7 | Power and energy use | Energy use depends on the drive, load, travel pattern, controls, and standby features. | Energy use depends on factors such as traffic, lift control, drive technology, and building operating hours. | Request comparable energy information and clarify the conditions and measurement method behind any efficiency claim. |
| 8 | Safety and emergency features | Safety provisions may include door interlocks, overload protection, emergency communication, and procedures for power failure, as applicable to the system. | Safety equipment and emergency procedures are specified for the lift type, building, and applicable codes. | Obtain the applicable compliance documents and a clear explanation of rescue, emergency communication, and power-failure operation. |
| 9 | Installation and commissioning | Installation is coordinated with the home’s structure, electrical supply, access, and finish work. | Installation usually requires coordination with the building’s construction schedule and other building systems. | Request a site survey, installation scope, commissioning plan, and written allocation of responsibilities. |
| 10 | Maintenance and service | Service frequency and parts requirements depend on the lift model, usage, and local rules. | Maintenance planning may account for higher shared use and the building’s operating needs. | Compare warranty terms, local service availability, routine-maintenance scope, response arrangements, and spare-parts support. |