If you’re designing, developing, or retrofitting a commercial property anywhere in the Las Vegas Valley, one of the earliest and most important decisions you’ll make is how much of your building’s vertical footprint should be dedicated to passenger elevators versus freight elevators. This choice affects far more than how much weight you need to move between floors — it influences your architectural core, structural engineering, and long term compliance obligations.

Whether you’re planning a boutique hotel off the Strip, a distribution center in North Las Vegas, or a mixed use tower in Summerlin, understanding the difference between passenger and freight elevators is essential for avoiding costly redesigns and code issues later.

Most people think all elevators are the same, but the ASME A17.1 elevator code draws a very clear line between passenger and freight systems. Knowing where that line is — and how it applies to your building — is the key to staying compliant and protecting your investment.

1. Who’s Allowed to Ride

ASME A17.1 defines exactly who can legally be inside each type of elevator cab.
Passenger Elevators
Passenger elevators are designed to be used for transporting people. Everyday luggage, small carts and foot traffic are intended to be handled by them. A detail that is often found surprising by many Las Vegas property owners is that service elevators used by hotel housekeeping or hospital staff are still classified as modified passenger elevators rather than freight elevators.

Freight Elevators
Freight elevators are strictly for cargo. Only the elevator operator and workers loading or unloading freight may ride. The general public is never permitted.
For Las Vegas hotels, casinos, and large hospitality properties, this distinction is considered critical. A mix of service and freight elevators is often relied upon in back-of-house corridors, and expensive retrofits and compliance problems can be caused by the misclassification of elevators during the design phase.

2. Structural Loading Classes

Passenger elevators are rated by cab size and passenger capacity. Freight elevators, however, are classified by how cargo is loaded, not just how much it weighs.
Freight Class Capacity & Criteria Common Las Vegas Applications
Class A – General Freight No single load may exceed 25% of rated capacity. Manual or hand‑truck loading. Retail stockrooms, light‑duty warehouses, office basements
Class B – Motor Vehicle Rated for automobiles or trucks up to full capacity. Parking garages, dealerships, fleet hubs
Class C1 – Industrial Truck (Carried) Forklift or pallet jack drives onto platform and rides with cargo. Manufacturing plants, multi‑level logistics centers
Class C2 – Industrial Truck (Not Carried) Forklift loads cargo but exits before travel. Platform must handle 150% of rated capacity during loading. High‑throughput distribution centers, logistics hubs
Class C3 – Concentrated Loading Built for heavy, single‑source loads beyond Class A limits. Steel centers, heavy equipment transport
ASME A17.1 Freight Elevator Loading Classifications
For warehouses and logistics facilities in North Las Vegas or Henderson, code violations, failed inspections and premature wear can be prevented by choosing the correct loading class upfront.

3. Doors and Hoistway Design

The door system is one of the easiest ways to tell passenger and freight elevators apart.
Passenger Elevator Doors
Passenger elevators typically use automatic horizontal sliding doors (center opening or side opening). These require wide pockets inside the hoistway, which is why passenger lobbies take up more space.

Freight Elevator Doors
Freight elevators use vertical bi parting doors:
• Top panel moves upward
• Bottom panel drops flush with the floor
• No wide side pockets needed
• Full opening width available for pallets and equipment
This design keeps tracks out of the way of forklifts and pallet jacks — a major advantage for industrial properties.

4. Cab Interior and Finishes

Passenger Cabs
Passenger elevators focus on comfort and aesthetics. In Las Vegas hospitality and office buildings, you’ll often see:

• Glass or mirrored walls
• Wood paneling
• Decorative tile
• LED lighting
• Suspended ceilings

The elevator ride is part of the guest experience.

Freight Cabs
Freight elevators prioritize durability:

• Heavy gauge steel walls
• Diamond plate steel flooring
• Rubber or wood bumper rails
• No decorative finishes

Everything is designed to survive daily industrial use.

5. Speed and Drive Systems

Passenger Elevators
Built for speed. Typical ranges:
• 150 FPM in low rise buildings
• 1,000+ FPM in high rise towers
They use gearless traction or MRL systems to keep wait times low.

Freight Elevators
Built for control and torque, not speed:
• 50–200 FPM
• Heavy duty hydraulic or geared traction systems
In Las Vegas, hydraulic freight elevators can be affected by extreme summer heat, by which fluid viscosity is also affected, making preventive maintenance essential.

FAQ’s
Can a passenger elevator move freight?
>>Only if it’s specifically designed and permitted for that use (often Class C3). Structural damage and failed inspections can be caused by using a standard passenger elevator for heavy loads.

Is a hotel service elevator the same as a freight elevator?
>>No. Service elevators are classified as modified passenger elevators, even though they’re used for carts, linens, and equipment.

What loading class do most Las Vegas warehouses need?
>>It depends on how cargo is handled. Class C1 or C2 is typically required for forklift operations, while Class A is usually used for hand truck loading.

Are the same inspections required for freight elevators as for passenger elevators?
>>Yes. Compliance with ASME A17.1, A17.2, and A17.3 is required for all elevators in Nevada, along with proper documentation and annual inspections.

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Call AR Elevator USA:
702 810 2757 or 702 463 6430
Email: info@arelevatorusa.com
Address: 4345 Corporate Center Drive, 203 Suites, North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Website: www.arelevatorusa.com
Written by Eng. Houssam Zammam