A quick note on Lifts

If you are thinking about lifts as part of your circulation system, its worth knowing where the Building Code of Australia stands on this matter.

Clause EF3.1 of Volume 1 of the BCA says that

Where a passenger lift is provided, it is to facilitate safe and easy—
(a) movement for occupants with disabilities; and
(b) evacuation of occupants, who due to illness or injury need stretcher assistance.

EF3.1(b) only applies to a building with an effective height of more than 12 m.

[italics mine]

Clause EF3.2 of Volume 1 of the BCA says that

A building is to be provided with one or more passenger lifts to facilitate—
(a) the safe access for emergency services personnel; and
(b) safe and easy evacuation of occupants who due to illness, injury or disability cannot use stairways in the event of an emergency.

EF3.2 only applies to— (a) a building with an effective height of more than 25 m

[italics mine]

Refer either to the BCA or to my post titled Some info on Planning & Building regulations for the definition of Effective Height

Therefore, if the floor level of your topmost storey is more than 25m above the floor of the lowest storey providing direct egress to a road or open space, you must have an accessible lift able to accommodate a stretcher. If the floor level of your topmost storey is more than 12m and less than 25m above the floor of the lowest storey providing direct egress to a road or open space, you are not required to have a lift, but if you do have a lift, it must be accessible and able to accommodate a stretcher.

If you need to know how big a lift, its shaft and equipment is, Kone have a handy online toolbox that will tell you.

[George has also suggested that Imem Lifts may be of interest]