A freight elevator is a central element of vertical logistics on construction sites and in existing buildings. In deconstruction, during strip-out as well as in fit-out, it ensures the safe transport of building materials, tools, and demolition debris between levels. In projects where concrete demolition shears or rock and concrete splitters are used, a properly specified freight elevator often determines the speed, safety, and cost-effectiveness of workflows.
Definition: What is a freight elevator
A freight elevator is an elevator primarily designed for the transport of goods. It features a robust car, increased load capacity, durable interior linings, and doors and sills suitable for pallets, big bags, containers, and heavy equipment. In construction and deconstruction contexts, both permanently installed goods elevators in existing buildings and temporary material or construction hoists are used to safely convey debris, concrete chunks, reinforcing steel, and hydraulic tools such as splitting cylinders and concrete demolition shears.
Design, load capacity, and dimensions
Freight elevators differ in drive type, payload, car dimensions, and door systems. For planning construction and deconstruction workflows, the following characteristics are especially relevant:
- Payload and load distribution: Typical payloads range from a few hundred kilograms to several tonnes. Loads should be applied over an area; point loads must be mitigated using load distribution plates.
- Interior dimensions and door width: Pallet size, the length of reinforcement bars, and the width of concrete demolition shears or hydraulic power packs determine whether transport without reloading is possible.
- Travel speed and conveying height: They directly affect cycle times and the sizing of teams for strip-out, cutting, and haul-off.
- Door systems and sills: Swing or sliding doors, flush sills, and ramps influence material handling with wheeled or tracked dollies.
Types of freight elevators in construction and deconstruction
Different systems are used depending on the project phase and structural conditions:
- Permanently installed goods elevator: Existing building elevators, often with a separate machine room and shaft, are integrated into logistics after inspection.
- Temporary construction or material hoist: Modular mast-climbing or shaft hoists for outdoor or indoor use when no suitable existing elevator is available.
- Shaft-bound solutions: Using an elevator shaft as a conveyance route during strip-out when the car has been removed and the shaft can be safely used.
Use in concrete demolition and specialized deconstruction
In concrete demolition and specialized deconstruction, many teams prioritize low-vibration methods to release components in a controlled manner and protect sensitive areas. Rock and concrete splitters enable crack-guided breaking of massive elements, while concrete demolition shears handle targeted downsizing and edge processing. The freight elevator serves as a tactical link between work and sorting areas:
- Removal of pre-sorted concrete and masonry fractions in big bags or containers.
- Supply of hydraulic power packs (Power Units), hose bundles, and accessories to upper levels.
- Return of dismantled reinforcements, guide rails, and steel plates, pre-cut with steel shears or combination shears if necessary.
Low-vibration working – protect the elevator and surroundings
Where slabs, walls, or the elevator shaft itself are worked in close proximity, rock and concrete splitters and concrete demolition shears reduce vibrations and structural transmission. This protects shaft walls, guide elements, and adjacent components that are still needed for logistics.
Freight elevator in strip-out and cutting
During strip-out and cutting, the freight elevator is the hub for pacing and sequencing. Fire partitions, dust and noise control, and floor and edge protection in the car safeguard the installation and its surroundings:
- Plan the material flow: Define dismantling zones, intermediate storage, elevator lobbies, and disposal points.
- Check dimensions: Do concrete demolition shears, splitting cylinders, Multi Cutters, and power packs fit through doors and into the car without disassembly?
- Intermediate downsizing: Reduce component size before loading into the elevator, e.g., by edge nibbling with concrete demolition shears or wedge setting when splitting.
- Load securing: Ensure positive and frictional locking; additionally secure loose parts and cover sharp-edged components.
Adjust openings and create shaft access areas
If an elevator door needs to be widened or a temporary access created, controlled cuts and splitting technique enable precise openings. Concrete demolition shears smooth and deburr edges to facilitate transport with wheeled equipment.
Interfaces to hydraulic demolition methods
The combined use of a freight elevator with hydraulic methods enables predictable cycles and reduces detours:
- Preparation: Define load limits, door widths, and car protection; specify transport aids (pallets, mesh boxes, protective hoods).
- Component release: Separate with low vibration by splitting or shearing; cut reinforcement; secure sharp-edged remnants.
- Transport: Distribute loads, document weights, check fastenings; synchronize the elevator cycle with work progress.
- Disposal/sorting: Set down fractions separately; keep routes short; keep the car clean to avoid damage.
Planning, protective measures, and operations management
Clear responsibilities and processes are crucial for safe operation. The following points have proven effective:
- Condition assessment: Technical inspection of the freight elevator; release for defined loads; visual inspection before the shift.
- Protection concept: Interior cladding, floor protection, impact protection at doors and frames; dust and moisture protection during cutting and splitting work.
- Routing: Clear staging areas, sufficient lighting, slip-resistant surfacing, and barriers at shaft openings.
- Communication: Radio or line-of-sight for signalers; unambiguous hand signals; a schedule with cycle times.
- Rescue and incident plan: Procedures for power outage, malfunction, or blocked car; defined points of contact.
Safety and legal framework
Operating a freight elevator requires compliance with applicable safety rules, standards, and occupational safety regulations. These include at minimum appropriate operator instruction, regular inspections by competent persons, clear load markings, effective emergency stop and communication options, and effective load securing measures. Information on load capacity, car size, and operating limits must be strictly observed; in case of doubt, a professional assessment of the specific operating conditions should be obtained.
Temporary construction hoists and special deployment
If no existing elevator can be used, temporary construction or material hoists are deployed. In special deployments—for example where door openings are missing, in courtyards, or atriums—modular systems are guided along load-bearing structures. In shafts, tunnels, or on hard-to-access levels, such solutions connect work in rock demolition and tunnel construction with material logistics at the surface. Teams particularly benefit here from compact hydraulic tools that can be transported safely in the elevator and deliver high performance on site with minimal structural impact.
Practical tips for everyday operations
A practical approach to the freight elevator minimizes downtime and damage:
- Estimate weights realistically; wet material (concrete, slurries) weighs more than expected.
- Deburr components before transport; provide edge protection profiles.
- Load the car so that operating and emergency controls remain accessible.
- Secure wheeled gear against rolling; damp vibrations with pads.
- Align the work sequence with drying times during wet cutting and with emission limits.
Role of the freight elevator in conjunction with products from Darda GmbH
Hydraulic demolition tools from Darda GmbH play to their strengths when transport routes are safe and predictable. Concrete demolition shears reduce components to elevator-suitable sizes, while rock and concrete splitters release massive elements in a controlled way. Hydraulic power packs reach upper floors protected, combination shears and Multi Cutters adapt mixed materials, and steel shears cut guide rails or steel frames so the car is not damaged. In this way, the freight elevator remains a reliable part of the material flow—from dismantling to haul-off.