Which component of a building is primarily used for vertical movement between floors?

The component of a building that is primarily used for vertical movement between floors is the vertical shaft. This structure typically encompasses various systems serving multiple floors, including elevators and sometimes ducts for mechanical systems. The vertical shaft is designed to facilitate the transport of people and goods through a designated space and is critical for achieving efficient vertical circulation in a multi-story building.

In contrast, while ramps can also assist with vertical movement, their primary function is to provide access for individuals with mobility impairments or to transport goods across different levels, rather than serving as a primary vertical transport system. Staircases allow for vertical movement but are specifically designed for foot traffic and do not encompass the broader functionality of vertical movement systems that can include elevators. Elevators are essential for vertical transportation but are considered part of the systems that operate within a vertical shaft rather than the shaft itself, which contains the necessary structure for such transport.