Clear ownership and well-timed transfer of responsibility between elevator specifications and shop drawings might seem like a technicality, but it’s a crucial topic for anyone developing, managing, or designing new commercial or multifamily buildings. Gaps here can lead to missed code requirements, costly RFIs, and blown delivery timelines. At Kaiser Elevator, we’ve seen firsthand how getting this handoff right—especially for traction elevators—creates certainty and control for developers, architects, and GCs throughout design and construction.
Specs vs Shop Drawings: The Real Difference (and Why It Matters)
The distinction between specifications and shop drawings is not academic—it reshapes how scope, liability, and risk are handled in every traction elevator project.
- Traction Elevator Specifications are typically authored by the architect or elevator consultant early in design. They express the building owner’s intent: how fast the car should run, how many people it should move, its safety systems, ADA features, basic shaft requirements, finishes, and performance criteria. These become part of the bid and contract package, forming the initial baseline.
- Shop Drawings are then created by the elevator contractor after award. They turn the spec’s intent into reality, translating general requirements into buildable, code-compliant, and field-verified solutions—complete with layout plans, wiring diagrams, mounting details, out-of-tolerance notes, and actual loads and finishes. These are the documents the installer owns and builds from.
Who Owns What (and When)?
| Stage | Owner/Stakeholder | Main Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Bid / Design | Architects, Consultants | Performance specs, outline dimensions, finish/type schedules, code requirements |
| Post-Award (Submittals) | Elevator Contractor | Shop drawings, fabrication and installation details, equipment schedules |
| Review Phase | Architect/Engineer, Structural Engineer of Record (SER) | Design approval, load reactions, code cross-checks |
| Fabrication/Install | Elevator Contractor | As-built documentation, change notes |
What’s Inside a Traction Elevator Specification?
Specifications are where intent is locked down—before any shop drawing pencils hit paper. For traction elevators (the preferred choice in mid- to high-rise commercial and multifamily buildings), these sections commonly cover:
- Performance Requirements: Rated speed (e.g., 350–1000 fpm), car capacity (typically 2500–3500 lbs in passenger applications), ride quality, and stopping accuracy
- Compliance: Must adhere to applicable codes (such as ANSI/ASME A17.1), fire service requirements, and accessibility/ADA features
- Basic Geometry: Hoistway, pit, and overrun minimums, clearances for doors, and, where applicable, machine room locations/requirements
- Finishes and Fixtures: Car enclosures, door and wall finishes, flooring, lighting type (often specifying durable, easily maintained materials)
- Power and Utility Needs: Motor horsepower, dedicated circuits, and necessary building-side infrastructure
It’s critical for the spec to be clear enough that qualified bidders know exactly what is wanted, without being so prescriptive it limits value engineering opportunities or needlessly narrows competitive options. If you want to go deeper on optimal spec-writing, see our guide on traction elevator design submittals.
What’s Inside a Traction Elevator Shop Drawing?
Shop drawings bring the real-world detail. Here’s what you should expect on your next project:
- Layout Drawings: Floor-by-floor plans and elevations defining car and counterweight locations, machine and control panel placement, support beams, and structural openings
- Field-Verified Dimensions: Actual measurements of pit depth, clear shaft width, and landing details—reconciled with site conditions
- Equipment Details: Mounting brackets, seismic anchorage, buffer and safety gear placement, signals, and interface with other trades
- Wiring and Schematics: Panel schedules, component address lists, load calculations for electrical trades
- Deviation Notes or Requests: Where field conditions deviate from spec (or spec omits a critical detail), these are flagged for consultant/engineer review
Shop drawings are not just a formality—they’re the playbook that prevents field rework and trade clashes, reducing the risk of expensive RFIs and schedule slips. As soon as the shop drawing is approved, the elevator contractor “owns” its accuracy, so its importance to the overall project cannot be overstated.
Trouble Spots: Why This Handoff Fails (and How to Prevent It)
For developers and GCs, confusion about ‘who owns what and when’ often starts with one of these scenarios:
- Poorly Coordinated Drawings: Spec shows a 6’0” pit, but the shop drawing based on a field check finds 5’6”. If shop drawings aren’t verified early and reviewed by the structural engineer, costly rework is almost inevitable.
- Unclear Finish/Fit Details: If the shop drawing omits clear notes on car panel attachment or door swing clearances, finished work can block inspection approval or create punch-list delays.
- Code and Accessibility Issues: Leaving ADA features (like handrail heights or door timing) up to interpretation between spec and shop drawings can generate compliance and legal headaches, as requirements are strictly enforced at inspection.
The solution is a tightly sequenced process where all parties understand when ownership passes from one set of documents to the next. This means early collaboration, disciplined submittals, and crystal clarity on field-verified dimensions and code assumptions.
A Practical Timeline for Traction Elevator Delivery on New Construction
While every project will have unique scope, we recommend a five-stage workflow:
- Design (Months 1–6): Architect and consultant develop elevator specs, outline plans, and initial hoistway geometry
- Bidding (Months 4–6): Elevator installers submit proposals based on performance specs and project goals
- Submittals (Weeks 1–4 post-award): Contractor submits shop drawings (often within 2–3 weeks of Notice to Proceed), performs onsite measurement to resolve discrepancies
- Design Team Review (Weeks 3–6 post-submittal): Architect, engineer of record, and sometimes code consultant review/approve shop drawings; any issues are returned for revision
- Fabrication, Shipment, and Installation (Months 3–12+): Contractor builds and installs using approved shop drawings; updates as-builts as needed through final acceptance
If you want a more detailed construction-phase elevator checklist, our blog Elevator Plans for New Construction: A Practical Checklist dives deeper into this process.
Key Tips for Developers and GCs: Controlling the Spec-to-Shop Process
- Demand early shop drawing submittals: Don’t wait for field issues. Push for 2–3 week turnarounds and immediate flagging of deviations or missing details.
- Insist on field verification before approval: Shop drawings must reflect site reality—especially pit depths, overhead spaces, and building power availability.
- Keep an eye on code and accessibility compliance: Don’t assume the contractor has caught everything—review every shop drawing for explicit ADA and code mentions.
- Require detailed review/approval procedures: Clearly define who signs off at each stage. Structural loads (e.g., for landing sills or door motors) should always be reviewed by the structural engineer of record.
- Collaborate early and often: Pre-construction meetings between elevator contractors, MEP/structural engineers, and architects can eliminate 90% of preventable RFIs before fabrication begins.
Why This Matters: Reducing Schedule and Cost Risk
Even minor spec-vs-shop misalignments can cause big headaches. At Kaiser Elevator, we’ve supported clients who faced uncoordinated drawings, resulting in delayed pours, expensive shaft modifications, or last-minute fixture changes. Early, disciplined alignment between the design spec and the shop drawings cuts through confusion, delivering as-promised performance with fewer headaches at final turnover.
For a deeper look into how traction elevator design decisions affect other key trade inputs (like electrical, structural, and architectural coordination), see our analysis on traction vs. hydraulic elevator planning.
Your Partner from Specification Through Shop Drawing – and Beyond
Navigating the transition from specification to shop drawing shouldn’t feel like an exercise in risk management. When you’re backed by a detail-obsessed elevator contractor, this becomes a seamless process—one that locks in project economics, code compliance, and field coordination from the start.
We pride ourselves on providing end-to-end clarity, no matter the project size or complexity. If your next new build requires a truly spec-ready traction elevator package—delivered with field-verified shop drawings, code-calibrated advice, and swift submittal response—reach out. Explore our approaches and complete elevator solutions at Kaiser Elevator, or connect with us directly for a conversation on your project’s needs.
For project-specific guidance, request a quote or call our New York headquarters at +1 (888) 274 6025. We’re ready to be your partner from schematic intent to final handoff—and long after.
