What's the difference between a hospital elevator and other commercial elevators?

A hospital elevator is more than just a means of transporting people up and down stairs. It's vastly different from the ordinary commercial elevators we see in office buildings, shopping malls, and hotels. These differences stem from the unique nature of hospitals, where lives are at stake and the demands are exceptionally high. Therefore, hospital elevators are unique in every aspect, from their design, components, performance requirements, and even maintenance. They are custom-built with the core mission of ensuring rapid emergency treatment, patient safety, and preventing the spread of infection.

High Load Requirements

A hospital elevator's most crucial task is to ensure absolute stability when rescuing patients and moving large medical equipment. Therefore, it must hold significantly more than ordinary elevators. The elevator cabin must be precisely sized to accommodate standard hospital beds, even large ICU beds, large equipment like mobile CT scanners, ventilators, operating tables, and the accompanying doctors and nurses. Furthermore, its load capacity must be significantly increased. Hospital elevators often have to carry 1.6 tons or more to safely and securely transport both heavy equipment and patients. Furthermore, speed and stability are crucial, as emergency treatments are crucial.

Safety System

Hospitals are a diverse population, with patients in wheelchairs or on stretchers, anxious family members, and constantly busy medical staff. Therefore, comprehensive safety measures for hospital elevators must be upgraded. Hospital elevator doors must be equipped with more sensitive, multi-infrared anti-pinch devices with a wider range to prevent pinching, even when pushing beds or wheelchairs in and out. Emergency call buttons inside elevators must be more prominent and reliable, connecting directly to a 24/7 monitored monitoring room or emergency station. Hospitals are most vulnerable to sudden power outages, especially in critical areas like operating rooms and ICUs. Therefore, hospital elevators require stringent backup power supplies. In the event of a power outage, the system must be able to operate for a sufficient time to safely transport patients to a specific floor, while also ensuring communication continuity. Furthermore, in the event of a life-threatening event like a fire, its fire emergency response and fire prevention capabilities must meet the highest standards for hospital buildings.

Accessibility and Health

Hospitals are home to a disproportionate number of people with mobility issues. Hospital elevator designs must fully comply with, or even exceed, standard accessibility standards. More importantly, hospitals are crucial for infection prevention, making elevator cleanliness crucial. While regular cleaning might be sufficient for ordinary elevators, hospital elevators must consider how to minimize the risk of cross-infection. Therefore, hospital elevator interiors should preferably be constructed of stainless steel or special coatings that are stain-resistant, easy to scrub, and capable of sterilizing. Buttons can be made of antibacterial materials or even designed to be touch-free. Some high-end or specialized elevators may be equipped with ultraviolet lamps or air purifiers, automatically activating for disinfection when not in use. Ventilation systems must also be carefully designed to ensure proper air circulation and prevent the accumulation of bacteria and viruses.