Elevator Dimensions. Accessible elevators – EN 81-70 compliant solutions
The EN 81-70 standard defines elevator controls, distances, dimensions, contrasts, and accessories that facilitate access for people using wheelchairs or walking aids. KONE MonoSpace® DX 700, KONE MonoSpace® DX 500, KONE MonoSpace® DX 300, KONE TranSys™ DX, and KONE MiniSpace™ DX elevators are all available with EN81-70 compliance.
Fundamental requirements
The standard introduces requirements for elevator car size and interiors:
- A handrail must be installed in the elevator car on the side of the car operating panel (COP)
- If the distance between the COP and the adjacent corner is less than enabling 400 mm handrail fit on wall, then a handrail must be installed on both sides of the COP
- For car types 1, 2, and 3 (please see table 1) the handrail can be installed on the wall opposite the COP, if the front wall width is less than the depth of the handrail
- For car types 4 and 5 the second handrail must be installed on the wall opposite the COP or on the back wall.
- Mirror is mandatory for car types 1, 2, and 3
- Decorative finishes must not reduce the nominal car depth and width of each car type by more than 15 mm on each wall:
- There shall be no additional features attached to the car walls below a height of 800 mm which may restrict the accommodation and turning of passengers using wheelchairs or passengers with other walking aids. This would particularly be the case for type 1 and type 2 cars restricting the minimum depth and for type 4 cars restricting the smaller minimum dimension. In some cases it may be necessary to increase the nominal car width or depth by a few mm, depending on wall finishing used, to allow for the extra space needed.
Signalization-related requirements
The standard introduces requirements for elevator car size and interiors:
- The audible signal strength must be adjustable between 35 and 65 dB(A) for car environments. In noisy environments, sound level should be adjustable up to 80 dB(A).
- A 30% contrast is required between:
- push button and faceplate or immediate surroundings
- symbol on push button and button background
- faceplate and the surroundings on landings
- There is no luminance contrast requirement for devices mounted on the doorframe
- There is no luminance contrast requirement between the COP and the faceplate when the COP contains five (5) or more buttons
Car types and dimensions
Car type | Minimum car width (mm) | Minimum car depth (mm) | Minimum clear opening width (mm) |
1 | 1000 | 1300 | 800 |
2 | 1100 | 1400 | 900 |
3 | 1100 | 2100 | 900 |
4 | 1600 or | 1400 | 900 |
1400 | 1600 | 900 | |
5 | 2000 or | 1400 | 1100 |
1400 | 2000 | 1100 |
Elevator Dimensions - Elevator Standards - Elevator Plan
Example of EN 81-70:2018 contrast requirement (non-compliant device on left, compliant device on right).