Closing down of an elevator and the fear of getting stuck in the middle of two floors is always a nightmare to many. Whether you use an elevator every day or are an infrequent passenger, you always have to be aware of what to do to meet with unforeseen elevator emergencies. Just because most emergencies occur without warning does not mean that you shouldn’t be prepared. Being prepared in case you are ever in an elevator during an emergency is a good idea for everyone, not just those who have a fear of elevators. While all of our Elevator Models have a long list of standard safety features perhaps the most significant features are those that help you deal with power outages: battery backup and emergency lighting.
Safety Features for Emergency Responsiveness:
FIRE SAFETY:
Have an escape plan that involves several scenarios depending on where a fire might be located in your home and where you might be. For example, your escape route may vary depending on the floors you are so one must know the escape route of each floor for better performance during emergencies. Elevators should never be used to escape during a fire. Flames and smoke could infiltrate the cab, or you could reach a landing and be blocked by fire. Your elevator’s power source and battery backup system could also be damaged or destroyed, causing your elevator to malfunction and stop between landings.
BATTERY BACKUP:
Blackouts have always been a threat to vertical transportation. One common thing to take into consideration while investing in an elevator is to check whether it has an Automatic Rescue Device (ARD) with a capacity ranging from 5 to 30 Hp. An ARD is an emergency landing system that lowers the cab to its lowest designated landing and opens the door if the power goes out. Without a battery backup, the elevator will not plunge or fall, and there is no reason to panic. However, the brake will hold the elevator in place until assistance arrives. If stuck in an elevator without battery backup, follow these steps:
- Try your best not to panic. You won’t fall, and you won’t run out of oxygen because all elevators are required to have adequate ventilation.
- Find the emergency phone, and tell the person on the other end your location and what happened.
- If you don’t have an emergency phone, you can hit the alarm bell button or call for help using your cell phone.
- Never attempt to pry open elevator doors or the escape hatch. You run a large risk of injuring yourself and may cause damage to the elevator itself.
- Once help arrives and gets you out of the elevator, don’t enter it again until a licensed technician or mechanic puts it back in service.
ELEVATOR MALFUNCTIONING :
Sometimes an elevator just malfunctions. It may not be an actual emergency, but to the people stuck inside, it will certainly feel like one. Regardless of the reason you’re stuck, you should push the emergency call button for help. Rather than trying out your own ways to get out by pulling the doors or finding an escape route. Be patient enough to let the elevator technicians to reach, and they will take you out safely.
At Expedite we understand the importance of having emergency preparedness done in an elevator system. Your safety is our priority. And so our products meet all the necessary safety standards and we provide extra safety standards which are customizable according to client specifications.
To learn more about elevators and emergencies, seek the help of our professionals. Connect with us now.
