Modular elevators are made in Mt. Vernon, IL. They were invented and patented in 1995 by Infinite Access as a quick and effective way to address the Americans with Disabilities Act. Allison Allgaier bought the assets for Infinite Access and has been in business as Phoenix Modular Elevator since 2009.

We manufacture commercial elevators for several industries, including hospitality, education, storage, and medical. We manufacture hydraulic, traction, and roped hydraulic elevators, as well as hoistway-only solutions for projects where the hoistway has a long lead time.

We use non-proprietary, industry-standard components, which means any certified elevator maintenance company can service our elevators. This includes independent contractors, as well as the “big guys,” including Otis, Kone, etc.

Yes. Because we use industry-standard, non-proprietary parts, replacement equipment could be easily tracked down and purchased. Here is a list of reputable suppliers we use for both hydraulic and traction elevators.

Yes. Like any other commercial-quality elevator, any licensed elevator mechanic would be able to diagnose and acquire parts for repair.

There are several advantages to modular over traditional elevator construction. The first is a shorter lead time. Also, the elevators are built horizontally in a factory setting, with the hoistway, car, and machine room built simultaneously. Additionally, this option eliminates onsite challenges of inclement weather or other construction delays.

Another benefit is faster installation. The design makes it easy to crane the elevator into place in stackable 50’ sections. A fully-functioning hydraulic elevator can be installed, tested, and ready for inspection in approximately one week. This also greatly minimizes job site disruptions.

Another valuable benefit is high quality. Factory-built modular elevators meet strict quality and tolerance standards. Each elevator is checked daily for proper welds and alignment. The inspection team can simply walk the horizontal hoistway for quality control. Also, all elevator parts are the same as those found in stick-built elevators. However, assembly is changed to maximize efficiency and lower risk. Also, all of our components are non-proprietary, making servicing and maintenance easier and less expensive.

Modular elevators also allow for safer construction. All work is done in a horizontal shaft, making modular elevators safer to build. There is no scaffolding to erect and no mechanics dangling from ropes. The on-site portion of the installation is much shorter. Work in the now-vertical hoistway is done from the car top instead of work platforms, making the process safer and more convenient.

The densglass-gypsum exterior is weather-resistant for up to a year.

Pit size is dependent on each individual project, but a typical hydraulic elevator pit is 4’ deep. Our tower’s legs are 3’-11” long. They are made to sit an inch off the pit floor, with grout underneath to allow for adjustment if the pit floor isn’t perfect. A too-deep tower is better than a too-shallow tower.

The pit should be out-to-out steel dimensions and 1” on all sides for clearance when sliding the tower into the pit.

Enclosure of the elevator shaft stops at the top of pit. However, for above-ground pits, this can be extended.

If a customer needs the elevator to access the basement, we need a 4’ pit below the basement.

We have built hundreds of elevators, and you can find some of them in our Gallery.

Sloping the floor can make up a difference of 1/2″ or less in either direction. More than that takes more work. We weld the entrances in place, to the precise dimensions you provide. The frame can often be moved up approximately 2” by removing it, re-attaching it, and repairing the drywall around it. This requires approximately 1-2 days of fieldwork. More than that, or a need to lower it, entails cutting and moving beams. This is a good reason to make sure you have precise measurements.

Every once in a while, we deliver an elevator and find the floor-to-floor measurements given to us don't match the actual as-builts on the jobsite.  Small differences in floor heights can typically be bridged by sloping the flooring, but larger differences require messy on-site rework of the structure. Adjustable entrances can be the answer!

Phoenix Modular Elevator is excited to offer adjustable entrances to make your elevator projects easier than ever! Onsite rework is time-consuming and expensive.  However, adjustable entrances can greatly cut back on the time and cost it takes to fix travel height measurement errors. This is yet another way our modular elevator system continues to be a no-brainer for low to mid-rise projects.

The range of adjustability without needing to perform structural surgery is as follows:

Hydraulic Elevators

• The bottom entrance is adjustable 2" in the up direction.
• Intermediate entrances are adjustable 1/2" in the down direction and 2" in the up direction.
• The top entrance is adjustable 1/2" in the down direction and possibly 2" in the up direction. The 2" adjustment is subject to elevator speed and additional 2" tower height.

Traction Elevators

• The bottom entrance is not adjustable, as the pit is designed as a minimum.
• Intermediate entrances are adjustable 1/2" in the down direction and 2" in the up direction.
• The top entrance is adjustable 1/2" in the down direction.

So how does this work?

1. Start by removing the drywall on either side of the entrance to the first light gauge stud.
2. Then, loosen the bolts attaching the header to the header angles that are welded on the 4x4 tubes above the head jamb of the entrance. There is a cutout in the light gauge for easy access to the jamb bolts.
3. Remove or add 1/8" shims to the bottom of the runby or strike jambs to move it up or down.
4. Tighten down the header bolts.
5. Loosen the sill and shim it to the correct position.
6. Retighten all bolts.
7. Finally, replace all cut out drywall and fire-rate around the entrances.

How does this help me?

1. Adjustable entrances eliminate the need to cut into the beams, a long, costly process that is now avoidable!
2. Adjustable entrances eliminate the need to hire a certified welder to modify the structure.
3. What was once a three-day fix can now be completed in one day.

None. The lobby approach or plate accessing the door sill would need to be ramped up or down to make up the difference.

The shaft is made of 4×4 inch tube steel. X-bracing is typically bar 2×1/2 and bar 2×1/4.

Until our engineer produces submittals, we can only provide estimated FLA and starting amps based off previous projects with similar details. You tell us what your 3-phase voltage will be, and we will provide an estimate.

We require 3-phase power. The voltage is up to you; most commonly, we see 208 and 480.

There is NO slope to our flat roof, it is truly flat. The sloped roof has a ¼:2 pitch.

Our elevators are self-supporting up to 50’ of height, which is approximately 30-35’ of travel. Anything over 50′ of height or 30′-35′ of travel requires multiple towers that need to be braced by the building.

Our elevators can take some gravity loads but no shear loads.

Our shafts are 1 or 2-hour fire-rated, depending on project requirements.

All elevators have to have an elevator pit. Our hydraulic elevators have a 4’ pit, while our hydraulic MRLs have a 5’ pit. Traction elevator pit depth is project-specific depending on size and travel distance.

Our elevators can be placed interior or exterior to the building. Modular elevators are used only for retrofit projects placed on the outside of a building is a common misconception. We have several elevators placed in the interior of a building.

Our typical hydraulic elevators require a machine room. However, we also offer hydraulic MRLs. The machine room is built into the hoistway and is an option for projects up to 24′ of travel. For an MRL, the access door must open to the inside to meet electrical clearances and codes.