Having an elevator in your building has many benefits beyond being able to move people up or down, and this applies whether you have a few or 90 floo
Having an elevator in your building has many benefits beyond being able to move people up or down, and this applies whether you have a few or 90 floors. Elevators can improve accessibility; they’re also an attractive feature to have on a commercial building and will instantly increase its value. They could also facilitate the logistics for your business. Let’s take a look at why all commercial buildings need an elevator.
Better Accessibility
You owe accessibility to tenants and visitors. Not being able to access floors or having to use excessive effort to get to them is something that will not sit well with many people. You may also have a lot of senior citizens working in that building and they might not be able to confidently use stairs. If your business deals with a lot of disabled or older people, it absolutely needs an elevator.
Also know that you are mandated by law to have a DDA compliant access ramp or lift for any upper floor exceeding 200m², though there are some exceptions depending on how the building is used. This is why we would suggest you contact a surveyor to see if your building needs one of these installed.
It’s More Attractive to Tenants
If you’re trying to fill those floors with commercial tenants, don’t expect them to be enthused by the idea of having to walk 5 or 10 floors every morning. If your building doesn’t have an elevator, then it will be a deal-breaker for many.
Not only do you need to have an elevator, but you’ll need to make sure that you have it inspected regularly to avoid breakdowns. You have companies like ATIS elevator that specialize in these types of inspections, and they’re essential for keeping tenants happy. You could also face lawsuits from angry tenants, so this is not something to be taken lightly.
Ease and Speed
You also want to have an elevator for the convenience and speed they offer. Time is money when it comes to business, and being able to move large quantities of people from one floor to the other will increase efficiency and productivity.
Not only can they be used to move people, but they can be used to move merchandise as well. Some businesses may need elevators to allow cleaning crews to easily access different floors instead of having a station on every floor. At the end of the day, an elevator will improve productivity and reduce overall costs.
Evacuation and Firefighting
When it comes to high and mid-rise buildings, elevators play a crucial role in allowing firefighters to access different floors. Note that the National Construction Code may demand additional features such as dedicated fire controls or 2-hour fire-rated landing doors depending on your building. So, make sure that you know your building’s class and make the necessary adjustments.
If you were still unsure of the benefits of elevators for commercial buildings, we hope we were able to clarify them for you. Speak with a specialist today and ask them as many questions as you can about their advantages.
