Enter and exit carefully. Observe the entrance floor. Step up or down if elevator floor and hall floor aren’t level with each other. Before entering, stand aside and allow exiting passengers to get off.
It is very important to pay attention to the level of the floor when entering and exiting an elevator. On occasion, the hall floor may not be exactly even with the elevator floor. Paying attention will prevent passengers from tripping. Step over the gap.
Watch for closing doors. Only touch or stop them if they are expected to interfere with passage.
Although many elevators doors are provided with protective edges designed to reopen when touched they should be treated like any moving equipment. Contact should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. It is also important to enter and exit quickly. Press or ask another passenger to press the door open button (reversing the doors) to allow a slow mover the time to enter or exit. Stand clear, let the doors close and keep both your and children’s hands and clothing away from the doors.
If the doors don’t open when the elevator stops, ring the alarm button and wait. Never force the doors open or try to exit.
Attempting to force the doors open is dangerous because the elevator could resume travel without warning and seriously injure someone. For some it will be difficult to wait but alternatives are much worse. The inside of the elevator is the safest place. There are plenty of dangers in the hoistway which is not designed for people. Only trained specialists know how to safely remove passengers or restart the elevator. Chances of the elevator falling are extremely rare as any one of the many required cables can individually hold a fully loaded elevator in place. Even under the horrifying conditions of the World Trade Center bombing, hundreds trapped in elevators were rescued by elevator industry specialists and firemen, many in minutes. Use the alarm button or stay on the phone if there is one, stay calm and most importantly stay inside. When help arrives, follow instructions for a safe exit.
In case of fire, never use the elevator, use the stairs.
Building codes require exit stairwells to provide a good measure of protection in case of fire. Stairwell doors are heavy and usually totally enclosed and well lighted and designed to protect people from smoke and fire. In addition, on stairs you control the option of going up or down to avoid the fire and smoke. Elevator shafts are often not sealed and act as a chimney thereby attracting the smoke.
Most modern elevators are programmed to automatically return to the ground floor when the alarm is triggered. They will shut down and remain available for fire fighters only, so they won’t respond to calls. You may waste precious time in a fire waiting for an elevator that doesn’t come. Always use the stairs.
If those in authority determine that it is safe for the building occupants to use certain elevators, announcements will be made. Follow directions.
A handicapped individual would be safer moving to the stairwell to await rescue or to be carried down away from the fire and smoke. Those in authority may direct otherwise and their instructions should be followed.
Above tips are shared from the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation – visit http://www.eesf.org for more information.
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City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proclamed November 9-15, 2014 the 20th Annual Elevator Escalator Safety Awareness Week in Chicago. The elevator community and the EESF appreciates the mayors support.
Chicago Elevator Association 