In a three-story building, how high can a holeless hydraulic elevator serve?

The correct answer, which indicates that a holeless hydraulic elevator can serve a height of up to 40 feet, reflects the design and operational limits of this type of elevator system. Holeless hydraulic elevators are particularly suited for low-rise buildings and typically do not require a traditional pit or overhead sheave area that standard hydraulic elevators need.

These elevators operate with a set of cylinder mechanisms mounted directly to the building structure, allowing them to extend upwards without the need for deep excavation. Because of their design, holeless hydraulic elevators can effectively function within a maximum vertical distance of approximately 40 feet, making them ideal for buildings that do not exceed this height and require service to multiple levels, typically up to four or five stories.

Considering that holeless hydraulic elevators can efficiently serve buildings with multiple stories, options reflecting fewer heights than 40 feet would not fully leverage their capacity. Thus, answers that suggest limited vertical reach, such as only one story or only two stories, do not align with the capabilities and intended use of these elevators. The option indicating 30 feet also falls short of the maximum service height the system can achieve.