Measuring for an elevator gate

It’s important to get the correct measurements so your contractor can give you an accurate quote—and end result! Here’s our easy guide to getting perfect measurements.

Measuring for an Elevator Car Door or Gate

Be sure to take the following into consideration when measuring for an elevator car door or gate.

Building the gate to code

  • 3" max between bars for residential and passenger elevator.
    Tip: If the elevator has a car operating panel (COP), it's a passenger elevator.
  • 4 ½" max between bars for freight elevators.

Measuring the height

  • Measure from the top of the sill (sometimes called saddle) to the top of the track.
  • Your sill might be one of 3 types: Existing, Surface Mount, or Recess Mount. The sill is a required component because it will guide the gate, preventing it from swaying in or out of the car. For any type, measure from the top of it.
  • Your track might be one of 3 types: Knuckle, Channel, or Combo. The track is a required component in that the gate will be suspended by the track. Here's how to measure each type:
  • Knuckle: This is a bar the gate will hang on. Measure to the top of the track.
  • Channel: Measure to the surface the track will mount to.
  • Combo: A lighter grade of a channel track used in residential applications. Measure to the surface the track will mount to.

Measuring the width

  • There are two widths when it comes to collapsible gates:
  • Maximum opening
    This is the distance between the surface that the gate will anchor to and what it will strike against when in the closed position.
  • Clear opening
    The gate will stack (the wider the opening, the wider the stack). To find the clear opening, subtract the gate stack dimension from the maximum opening.

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