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CIBSE Guide D: Transportation Systems in Buildings provides the definitive, practical reference for professionals involved in lift, escalator, and wider transportation system design, specification, operation, and maintenance.
Covering everything from passenger and goods lifts to escalators, moving walks, lifting platforms, and emerging technologies, the guide is an essential resource for engineers, architects, developers, facilities managers, regulators, and students alike.
What’s inside the new edition
This updated edition introduces a modular, multi-part format for greater clarity and usability, with focused guidance on:
- Interior circulation, human factors, and inclusive design
- Lift traffic planning and system performance optimisation
- Types of transportation systems and their applications
- System components, controls, and drive technologies
- Accessibility and inclusivity
- Energy efficiency, environmental performance, and optimisation opportunities
- Data, monitoring, and integration with building management systems
- Maintenance, modernisation, and lifecycle planning
The guide aligns with current UK legislation, safety codes, and international best practice, while also pointing readers to supplementary resources hosted by the Society of Vertical Transportation (SoVT) for the most up-to-date regulatory and reference materials.
The chapters of Guide D are available to purchase individually if required. Search the Knowledge Portal listing
Table of Contents
Part 1 – Introduction
1.1 Purpose of Guide D
1.2 Scope and structure of the Guide
1.3 Using the Guide
1.4 Regulatory and reference materials
1.5 The Society of Vertical Transportation (SoVT)
Part 2 – Interior Circulation
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Definitions
2.3 Passive circulation elements
2.4 Active circulation elements
2.5 Lifts versus escalators
2.6 Circulation in other types of buildings
2.7 Facilities for persons with disabilities
Appendix 2.1: Human dimensions References and bibliography
Part 3 – Lift Traffic Design Using Calculation
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Symbols
3.3 The design process
3.4 The calculation method
3.5 Data gathering
3.6 Car selection
3.7 Example calculations
3.8 Enhanced uppeak calculation
3.9 Calculations with mixed traffic and multiple entrance floors
3.10 RTT calculations for double-deck lifts
3.11 Lifts sharing a common well (shaft)
3.12 Shuttle lifts
3.13 Further design considerations
3.14 Lifts with a special purpose
3.15 Selection of equipment with respect to building function
3.16 Tall buildings
3.17 Monte Carlo simulation
3.18 Finally
Appendix 3.1: Enhanced uppeak formulae
Appendix 3.2: Selection charts References and bibliography
Part 4 – Lift Traffic Design Using Simulation
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Quality of service
4.3 When to use simulation
4.4 Describing traffic
4.5 Car loading
4.6 Simulation with CIBSE templates
4.7 Office design
4.8 Hotel design
4.9 Residential design
4.10 Example 4.1: Simulation of round-trip time
4.11 Simulations using the CIBSE templates
4.12 Example 4.2: Using CIBSE templates
4.13 Simulations with ISO templates
4.14 Simulation applied to modernisation
4.15 Simulation for buildings other than offices, hotels and residential buildings
4.16 Other considerations
4.17 The relationship between calculation and simulation
4.18 Energy modelling
4.19 Traffic analysis and simulation software
4.20 Epilogue References and bibliography
Part 5 – Types of Transportation Systems
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Passenger lifts
5.3 Goods passenger lifts
5.4 Goods only lifts
5.5 Observation lifts
5.6 Service lifts
5.7 Vehicle (car and lorry/truck) lifts
5.8 Rack and pinion lifts
5.9 Rigid chain technology (RCT) lifts
5.10 Lifts for other purposes
5.11 Future concepts
Appendix 5.1: Lift space requirements; car, well, headroom, pit and machine room sizes
Appendix 5.2: Lift space requirements; structural considerations References and bibliography
Part 6 – Lifts for Use by Firefighters and Evacuation Lifts
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Need for firefighters lifts
6.3 Design considerations for firefighters lifts
6.4 Testing, maintenance and improvement of lifts for use by firefighters
6.5 Means of escape for people requiring level access
6.6 Design considerations for evacuation lifts
6.7 Testing, maintenance and improvement of lifts for evacuation
6.8 Use of non-evacuation lifts for evacuation
6.9 Using lifts for general evacuation References and bibliography
Part 7 – Lift and Escalator Components and Installation
7.1 Lift components
7.2 Escalator and moving walk components References and bibliography
Part 8 – Lift Drives and Controls
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Lift controllers
8.3 Controller technology
8.4 Control of lift drives
8.5 DC motor control techniques
8.6 AC motor control techniques
8.7 Harmonic-related issues
8.8 Energy saving considerations
8.9 Passenger evacuation following mains power failure
8.10 Unintended car movement (UCM)
8.11 Control of hydraulic drives
8.12 Control of door operators
8.13 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), environment and reliability
8.14 The future of controller systems References and bibliography
Part 9 – Lift Traffic Control
9.1 The need for lift traffic control
9.2 Single lift traffic control
9.3 Purpose of group traffic control
9.4 Legacy traffic control systems
9.5 Traffic control algorithms with conventional signalling
9.6 Traffic control algorithms with destination control registration stations
9.7 Other features of group traffic control systems
9.8 Uppeak boosters
Appendix 9.1: Principles of the ACA destination control algorithm
Appendix 9.2: Case studies References and bibliography
Part 10 – Escalators and Moving Walks
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Definitions, commonly available equipment and duty
10.3 Principal components
10.4 Installation planning
10.5 Drive systems, energy usage and safety devices
10.6 Modernising escalators and moving walks
10.7 Commissioning, testing and maintenance
10.8 Operating escalators and moving walks
10.9 Actions after an incident involving an escalator or moving walk
10.10 Escalators or moving walks and LOLER References and bibliography
Part 11 – Vertical Transportation for People Who Require Level Access
11.1 Access for everyone
11.2 Legislative framework
11.3 Equipment selection to meet a diverse range of end user requirements
11.4 Passenger lifts
11.5 Lifting platforms
11.6 Stairlifts
11.7 Escalators and moving walks
11.8 Egress for people who require level access
11.9 Product selection table
Appendix 11.1: Summary of the principal requirements of BS EN 81-70 References and bibliography
Part 12 – Lift Electrical Systems and Building Interfaces
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Electrical power supplies for lifts
12.3 Lift power factor correction
12.4 Protection of supplies
12.5 Standby power
12.6 Secondary power supplies for firefighters and evacuation lifts
12.7 Isolating switches, lighting and socket outlets
12.8 Electromagnetic compatibility and harmonic distortion
12.9 Cabling and wiring
12.10 Lift well and machinery spaces
12.11 Lift car environment
12.12 Human comfort considerations References and bibliography
Part 13 – Energy Efficiency
13.1 Energy consumption and energy efficiency
13.2 Symbols
13.3 Energy consumption of lifts
13.4 Energy consumption of escalators and moving walks
13.5 Classification system according to the International Standards Organization
13.6 Other considerations
Appendix 13.1: Example energy consumption calculations
Appendix 13.2: Example spreadsheet for a lift calculation References and bibliography
Part 14 – Data Acquisition, Management and Interoperability
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Lift traffic and escalator surveys
14.3 Lift data logging, monitoring, data management, data presentation and data security
14.4 Remote alarms to BS EN 81-28
14.5 Escalator and moving walk data logging, monitoring, data management, data presentation and data security
14.6 Cybersecurity
14.7 Building automation systems (BAS) and building management systems (BMS)
14.8 Future possibilities
Appendix 14.1: Information processing terminology
Appendix 14.2: Review of open protocols and schemas for lift management References and bibliography
Part 15 – Commissioning, Testing, Maintenance and Thorough Examination
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Lifts
15.3 Escalators/moving walks
15.4 Vertical lifting platforms
15.5 Stairlifts and inclined lifting platforms
15.6 The future
Appendix 15.1: Guidance to testing escalator and moving walks to BS EN 115:2017 References and bibliography
Part 16 – Upgrading of Safety, Performance and Equipment of Existing Lifts
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Life cycle considerations
16.3 Influencing factors to upgrading
16.4 Relevant legislation, standards and codes of practice
16.5 Undertaking modifications to an existing lift installed before 1 July 1999
16.6 Undertaking modifications to an existing lift installed after 1 July 1999
16.7 Important considerations when undertaking modifications to existing lifts
16.8 Step-by-step approach to improving the safety of existing lifts
16.9 Improvement in accessibility
16.10 Improvement in protection from vandalism
16.11 Improvement in use for evacuation or use by firefighters
16.12 Improvement in performance
16.13 Improvement by (minor) replacement of major components
16.14 Summary of modifications undertaken to existing lifts
16.15 Tests and records
Appendix 16.1: Tables References and bibliography
Annex – Lift Kinematics
A.1 Fundamentals
A.2 Performance time
A.3 Measurement
A.4 Dynamic lift kinematics References and bibliography
Principal authors: Jonathan Beebe (Consultant), Michael Bottomley (VT Consult; Chairman, Society of Vertical Transportation), Paul Burchett (Fujitec UK Ltd.), John Carroll (NDY, a Tetra Tech Company), David A
Cooper (LECS UK), Micky Grover-White (Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA)), Jonathan
Hoskin (Ampertronic), Rob Keane (Hydratec), Gordon Lucas (ILECS), Nick Mellor (Lift and Escalator
Industry Association (LEIA)), Stephen Normington (KONE plc), Richard Peters (Peters Research
Ltd.), Adam Scott (SWECO; The Vertical Transportation Studio), Vincent Sharpe (The Lift & Safety
Consultancy), Michael Turner (Lester Control Systems Ltd.)
Contributing authors: Matt Davis (AVIRE), Iain Forbester (Serapid Ltd.), Jason Godwin (2N Telekomunikace a.s.), Rachel Smalley (Jacobs), Dr Albert So (City University of Hong Kong)
Review Panel: Kartik Amrania, Matthew Appleby, John Bashford, Alan Cronin, Mark Davies, Mark Davison,
Dominic Dawson, Stefan Gerstenmeyer, Andrew Harrison, Lionel Hutt, Duncan Jones, Carl
Keyser, Lee Kitching, Maneet Kumar, Ana Lorenti, Max Martinez, Brian Preston, Mark Pullan,
Simon Russett, Marja-Liisa Siikonen, Rachel Smalley, Peter Sumner, Huw Turner
Peer Reviewers: Graham Barker (Cundall), Len Halsey, Rory Smith (Peters Research Ltd.)
Managing Editor: Elizabeth Evans (Peters Research Ltd.)
Technical Editors: Jonathan Beebe (Consultant), Nick Mellor (LEIA), Richard Peters (Peters Research Ltd.),
Adam Scott (SWECO; The Vertical Transportation Studio)
This edition of CIBSE Guide D is dedicated jointly to our late colleagues Dr Gina Barney and
Ian Jones