Many elevators across the United Kingdom are rated to carry fewer people than they could safely hold a generation ago, because the average passenger now weighs more. A new study has found that the standard capacity assumptions used by lift manufacturers have not kept pace with rising obesity levels, meaning a full car could exceed its maximum load limit.
A weight limit written for a lighter era
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and the University of Bristol analyzed data on body weight trends and compared them to the design specifications of typical passenger lifts. They found that the standard assumption of 75 kilograms per person, or about 11 stone 7 pounds, is now outdated. The average adult in the UK weighs roughly 80 kilograms, and for older age groups the figure is higher. In a lift rated for 10 people, that difference adds up to 50 kilograms, enough to push the car over its safety threshold.
Who is affected and why it matters
The study was published in the journal BMJ Public Health. The researchers examined lifts in public buildings, hospitals, and residential blocks. They warned that the mismatch between actual body weight and design assumptions creates a safety risk, especially in emergencies when lifts are used for evacuation. The problem also raises questions of equity. People with larger bodies may feel unwelcome or unsafe using lifts that appear to be full, even when the car is not crowded. The researchers called for updated guidelines from regulators and manufacturers to reflect current population data.
A gap between design and reality
Lift capacity is not just a matter of convenience. It is a safety feature. Overloading can cause mechanical failure, sudden stops, or in rare cases, a free fall. The study noted that the UK's building regulations have not been revised to account for the increase in average body weight over the past several decades. The researchers recommended that new lifts be designed with a higher per person weight allowance, and that existing lifts be reassessed. They also suggested that signage in lifts should display the maximum weight in kilograms rather than a number of people, to avoid confusion.
This gap between the weight that elevators are built for and the weight of the people who use them is not unique to the UK. But the study makes clear that in a country where obesity rates have risen steadily, the infrastructure has not caught up. The findings do not assign blame or call for specific policy changes. They simply point out that a number on a plaque may no longer match the reality of who steps inside.
