Temporary construction elevators have transformed access and efficiency on industrial construction sites across Canada and the USA. From transporting trades to moving heavy tools and materials, such vertical transport systems help maintain worksites with utmost safety.

For over six decades, UCEL Inc. has delivered reliable solutions that support high-volume projects without compromising on quality. The key technology that supports this progress is the hoists for building construction solutions. Moreover, this increases productivity while addressing logistical and safety challenges on complex job sites.

Benefits of Temporary Construction Elevators

Using construction elevators on temporary projects streamlines operations and enhances site coordination.

Main benefits include:

  • Time savings: Quick and repeatable vertical movement of trades and equipment reduces downtime between floors.
  • Labour optimization: Less physical strain on labour improves workflow and reduces fatigue.
  • Minimized ground congestion: Vertical transport lowers traffic at grade, keeping key areas accessible for deliveries and staging.
  • Access in all conditions: Hoists operate consistently in varying weather and site conditions, unlike open stairwells.

Where These Elevators Are Commonly Used

Temporary hoists support a range of project types, especially where height and load demands exceed manual transport options. At UCEL Inc., we’ve worked on some of the country’s tallest and most technically demanding buildings.

Common applications:

  • High-rise residential towers
  • Mixed-use commercial buildings
  • Hospital or institutional developments
  • Industrial plant expansion
  • Energy and utility facilities

Compliance and Safety

Construction hoists must meet stringent safety requirements. Depending on the jurisdiction, each unit must comply with applicable CSA (Canadian Standards Association) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) codes and be supported by regular inspections and certified operators.

We provide:

  • Equipment certified to international standards.
  • Redundant safety systems for travel and braking.
  • Site-specific planning to ensure secure installation.
  • Ongoing maintenance and repair services throughout use.

Our team prioritizes worker safety without compromising productivity, ensuring all operations meet current regulations.

Set Up and Removal

Temporary hoists for building construction must be installed properly to avoid delays. The same applies to removal when no longer required.

Installation involves:

  • Engineering review of structure and anchorage: To confirm that the structure can support the loads and the anchorage is suitable for the hoists.
  • Crane coordination for mast and cabin setup: To schedule crane use in line with the hoists’ installation.
  • Alignment with building levels: To maintain access as floors are added during construction.

Removal includes:

  • Safe deconstruction of mast sections.
  • Cab disassembly and transport logistics.
  • Restoring the site to its original state, such as filling any holes and repairing damaged surfaces.

Cost Considerations

Multiple variables affect the cost of using a material elevator. These include the number of floors, load requirements, site layout, and project duration.

Budget factors include:

  • Hoists type and load capacity.
  • Travel height and number of stops.
  • Frequency of use and expected lifespan.
  • Local permitting and inspection needs.
  • On-site technician availability for maintenance.

Using hoists in construction helps streamline cost estimation, supporting planning and procurement processes more effectively.

Supporting Progress on Every Build

Temporary construction elevators bring measurable productivity gains to modern projects. For general contractors and industrial clients, the right hoists in construction solutions reduce downtime and support safety programs.

UCEL Inc. continues to support complex builds with dependable construction hoists, building units for maintenance, and material elevators. From pre-construction planning to final removal, our team ensures each system reliably and confidently supports site-specific demands.

Contact UCEL Inc. to discuss a vertical access strategy tailored to various projects.