The approval procedures for installing elevators in old buildings are very complicated, involving multiple departments such as planning, land resources, quality supervision, and fire protection.

The "Public Solicitation of Guiding Opinions on Adding Elevators to Existing Urban Residences" clarifies the materials that need to be provided:

1. Signatures from two-thirds of the residents.

2. Property certificate of each resident.

3. Design institute drawings.

4. Letter of authorization.

5. Elevator company business license.

6. Installation and maintenance qualifications.

7. Design unit qualifications.

The "Opinions" also simplify the approval procedures, and the previously required sunlight analysis charts, noise tests, etc. are no longer required.

Extended information:

Elevators can be installed in eligible buildings through interior and exterior modifications. Generally, an elevator requires a shaft area of ??2.5 meters × 2.5 meters. Some buildings have reserved elevator shafts and can be installed directly. The project is relatively easy and the cost is low. For old buildings that do not have reserved shafts, you can choose to build the elevator shaft outside the exterior wall. This requires one more project, but it is not difficult.

Although there are no technical obstacles, it is not easy to install an elevator. The most important thing is safety issues. If it is a reinforced concrete residential building and there is no reserved elevator shaft, another elevator shaft needs to be dug. Such private modification cannot guarantee safety and the risk is too high. When installing an elevator externally, it is generally necessary to build walls or add steel columns to fix the elevator guide rails. Every link in the project is important. Once there is a problem in one link, it may cause safety hazards.

People's Daily Online - Relevant documents have been released for 3 months, but it is still difficult to install elevators in old communities