---
title: "Short note: Passenger lift and freight lift"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_6/building_technology:short-passenger-freight-lift"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/short-passenger-freight-lift
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Passenger lift and freight lift

Building Technology · Chapter 5: Stair, lifts and escalators

- Asked in: 2062 Poush (old course)
- Video: [Components of Elevator](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PoAwHJkS_8) — Engineering Motive
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/short-passenger-freight-lift
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-5

## Question

Write a short note on passenger lift and freight lift.

## Short answer

Passenger lift: car for 6-20 persons, speed 1-2.5 m/s, finished cabin, automatic doors. Freight lift: load 500-5000 kg, slower 0.25-0.5 m/s, larger stronger car, wide doors.

## Answer

#### Passenger lift
A passenger lift carries people. The car size and capacity depend on the use (6, 8, 13 or 20 persons; for example, an 8-person car is about 1.1 m x 1.4 m). It has a speed of 1-2.5 m/s, smooth acceleration, a finished cabin, ventilation, an alarm, emergency light and automatic doors. It is located near the main entrance with lobby space in front, and the number of lifts is planned for the floor area and occupancy as per the building code.

#### Freight (goods) lift
A freight lift carries goods and loads of 500-5000 kg or more. It has a larger, stronger car with a strong floor, is usually slow (0.25-0.5 m/s), has a simple finish and wide doors (vertical sliding or double leaf), and is operated by trained staff. It is used in warehouses, factories and hotels.

| Point | Passenger lift | Freight lift |
|---|---|---|
| Load | Persons (68-75 kg per person) | Goods (500-5000 kg) |
| Speed | Higher | Lower |
| Cabin finish | Decorative | Plain and strong |
| Doors | Centre-opening | Wide, vertical or horizontal |
| Safety | Higher comfort level | Heavy-duty safety gear |

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. How do the speeds of passenger and freight lifts compare?
   A. Freight lifts are faster (1-2.5 m/s)
   B. Both equal
   C. Passenger lifts are faster (1-2.5 m/s); freight about 0.25-0.5 m/s
   D. Passenger lifts are slower
   Answer: C. Passenger lifts run faster for comfort and time; freight lifts are slow and heavy-duty. (Key point: Speed)

2. Which describes a freight lift?
   A. Decorated cabin with centre-opening doors
   B. Strong floor, plain finish, wide doors, loads of 500-5000 kg
   C. Carries only 6 persons
   D. Operated by passengers
   Answer: B. Freight lifts are built strong and plain with wide doors for goods. (Key point: Freight car)

3. Which is a feature of a passenger lift?
   A. Alarm, emergency light, ventilation and automatic doors
   B. Vertical sliding doors only
   C. No ventilation
   D. Heavy-duty gear only
   Answer: A. Passenger lifts emphasise comfort and safety features. (Key point: Passenger lift features)

4. Where are freight lifts typically used?
   A. Lobbies of offices
   B. Warehouses, factories and hotels
   C. Wheelchair access
   D. Escalator landings
   Answer: B. They move goods in warehouses, factories and hotel service areas. (Key point: Use)