The Rise of Wood Hoistways
Wood hoistways are becoming increasingly common due to sustainability goals, cost efficiencies, and the growing adoption of mass timber construction. There are two primary wood hoistway types:
- Traditional wood-frame hoistways, typically built with 2×4 or 2×6 stud walls and plywood reinforcement, commonly used in low to mid-rise residential buildings.
- Mass timber hoistways, constructed using engineered wood products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), which allow for taller structures and faster construction sequencing.
Mass timber systems can help accelerate elevator installation timelines by allowing earlier access to the hoistway during construction, providing structural support for the building, facilitating faster building turnover and interior fit-outs.
Elevator contractors can work with slightly oversized hoistways, but undersized shafts leave very few viable solutions once construction of the hoistway is complete.
Fire Rating Considerations
Fire rating remains one of the most critical coordination items in wood hoistway design. While three-layer CLT may be structurally suitable, it often does not achieve the minimum two-hour fire rating required by code. In many cases, additional assemblies such as fire-rated plywood or drywall must be added to meet compliance requirements.
These added layers directly impact clear hoistway dimensions, making early coordination between the architect, structural engineer, and elevator consultant essential.
Clear Openings vs. Rough Openings
One of the common coordination issues involves misunderstanding the difference between elevator clear openings and rough openings.
While coordinating a standard elevator door opening may appear straightforward, the rough opening required for installation is significantly larger. Failing to account for this additional space during structural design can lead to costly rework or change orders later in construction.
Elevator Attachments in Wood Structures
Increasingly, elevator contractors are requesting steel attachment plates mounted to the wood structure rather than fastening directly into the timber itself.
These plates:
- Help distribute loads to the wood structure
- Satisfy seismic requirements
- Simplify rail attachment installation
There are risks associated with poorly coordinated through-bolt installations, particularly the impacts to finished buildings where investigation and maintenance adjustment access may require destructive work. Proper attachment detailing and verification upfront can help avoid long-term ride quality issues, shutdowns, door faults and maintenance complications.
Accommodating Building Movement
Unlike concrete structures, wood buildings experience greater movement and settlement over time. This movement can impact elevator alignment, ride quality, and door operation if not properly anticipated during design and installation.
To address this, consider:
- Flexible conduit and expansion fittings for elevator wiring
- Rail attachment systems that allow for future adjustment
- Proper rail spacing gap allowances at the pit
- Regular monitoring for signs of settlement such as sill levelness, door squareness, poor ride quality or recurring door faults
Early Coordination Is Critical
From fire rating requirements to structural coordination and attachment detailing, wood hoistways require close collaboration between architects, structural engineers, contractors, and elevator specialists.
With thoughtful planning and proper coordination, wood and mass timber hoistways can successfully support safe, efficient, and future-ready vertical transportation systems.
Schedule a call with a GUNN expert to discuss your project’s unique needs.