Commercial LU/LA Elevators

ADA Accessibility for Low-Rise Buildings — Done Right.

The Savaria Orion LU/LA elevator line delivers fully automatic commercial accessibility for schools, houses of worship, retail, medical offices, and multi-family buildings — with lower overhead and pit requirements than full-size passenger elevators. Installed and serviced locally since 1998.

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What Is a LU/LA Elevator?

LU/LA stands for Limited Use / Limited Application — a classification under ASME A17.1 for elevators in low-rise commercial buildings that don't require the full specifications of a passenger elevator. LU/LA elevators are ADA-compliant, fully automatic, and designed for buildings up to 3 stories with up to 25 feet of travel.

Compared to a full passenger elevator, a LU/LA elevator requires significantly less overhead clearance and a shallower pit — which means lower construction costs and less site disruption. They're the right choice for schools, churches, retail stores, restaurants, medical offices, and low-rise office buildings that need to meet ADA requirements without the expense of a full commercial elevator.

We assess your building, handle the permit and inspection process, and provide ongoing service and maintenance after installation.

Who We Serve

LU/LA elevators are the right solution for a wide range of low-rise commercial and multi-family buildings.

Schools & Universities

ADA-compliant access between floors for students, staff, and visitors — with the reliability to handle daily student traffic.

Houses of Worship

Make every level of your facility accessible to all members of your congregation, including those using wheelchairs or walkers.

Retail & Hospitality

Serve customers on every floor with a fully automatic elevator that fits the aesthetic of your space.

Medical Offices

The Orion MRL's 200+ daily trip rating makes it ideal for busy medical practices where reliability is non-negotiable.

Low-Rise Office Buildings

Meet ADA requirements and provide convenient access for employees and clients without the cost of a full passenger elevator.

Multi-Family Residential

Provide accessibility in condominiums, assisted living facilities, and multi-family buildings where code permits LU/LA use.

The Savaria Orion LU/LA Line

Two models — hydraulic and machine-roomless geared traction — for different daily-use requirements.

Hydraulic LU/LA

Savaria

Orion LU/LA Hydraulic Elevator

Best-Seller · Hydraulic · 1,400 lb · 30 fpm

North America's best-selling LU/LA elevator — proven, smooth, and cost-effective.

The Savaria Orion LU/LA Hydraulic Elevator has been installed in hundreds of buildings across North America. A 1:2 cable hydraulic drive with a 5 hp submersed motor delivers smooth, reliable performance. It requires as little as 108″ of overhead and a 14″ pit — significantly less than full-size passenger elevators — keeping construction costs lower. Compatible with LEED-qualified Hydro Safe biodegradable hydraulic fluid.

Fully automatic operation — two-speed sliding doors with infrared closing sensors
Magnetic floor selection and auto-leveling for precise, flush stops at every landing
Lower overhead (108″) and pit (14″) requirements than full-size passenger elevators
Emergency battery backup for floor-specific lowering and interior lighting

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Geared Traction MRL LU/LA

Savaria

Orion LU/LA MRL Elevator

Machine Roomless · 1,400 lb · 200+ Daily Trips

The top-of-the-line LU/LA — machine roomless, ultra-quiet, built for heavy daily use.

The Savaria Orion LU/LA MRL is built for busier buildings — medical offices, hospitality, and any application needing 200+ daily trips. A counterweight geared traction drive with ⅜″ steel cables delivers ultra-quiet, smooth performance with no hydraulic fluid required. The true machine-roomless design means the controller can be installed adjacent to the elevator in a door buck cabinet, eliminating any need for a remote machine room.

True machine-roomless design — controller installs adjacent to elevator in door buck cabinet
Counterweight geared traction drive — ultra-quiet, no hydraulic fluid needed
Rated for 200+ daily trips — built for busier commercial applications
Emergency battery backup for floor-specific lowering and interior lighting

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Orion Hydraulic vs. Orion MRL

Feature	Orion Hydraulic	Orion MRL
Drive type	1:2 cable hydraulic	Counterweight geared traction
Machine room	Required (remote)	None — door buck cabinet
Capacity	1,400 lb	1,400 lb
Daily trips	Moderate use	200+ daily trips
Min. overhead	108″ (134″ new build)	111″ (134″ new build)
Min. pit depth	14″	17″
Hydraulic fluid	Yes (LEED-qualified option)	None
Best for	Schools, retail, houses of worship — moderate daily use	Medical offices, hospitality — heavy daily use

Common Questions

Does a LU/LA elevator meet ADA requirements?

Yes. LU/LA elevators are recognized under the ADA as a means of providing vertical accessibility in low-rise buildings. They must comply with ASME A17.1 and applicable local codes. We ensure every installation meets all applicable requirements.

What is the maximum travel distance for a LU/LA elevator?

The Savaria Orion LU/LA models are rated for up to 25 feet of travel (approximately 3 stories), with up to 6 stops subject to local code. Higher travel may be available where code permits.

Do I need a machine room for the Orion Hydraulic?

The Orion Hydraulic requires a remote machine room to house the hydraulic fluid tank and controller — typically a small utility closet or mechanical room near the elevator. The Orion MRL eliminates this requirement entirely, with the controller installed in a door buck cabinet adjacent to the elevator.

How long does commercial elevator installation take?

Installation typically takes 5–10 business days depending on site conditions, hoistway preparation, and permit timelines. We coordinate the permit application and TDI inspection as part of every commercial installation.

Do you provide ongoing service and maintenance contracts?

Yes. We offer service and maintenance contracts for all commercial elevators we install. Regular maintenance is required to keep your warranty valid and your elevator operating safely. Contact us to discuss a maintenance plan.

Request a Commercial Assessment

Tell us about your building and we'll schedule a site visit, walk you through the options, and provide a written estimate — at no charge.

Prefer to call? (281) 480-9876 — available 8 am – 9 pm daily.