When an elevator breaks down, what do you do first? You need to turn the power back on in the elevator’s EMR and post an “out of order” sign in the elevator lobby. Identify the cause of the elevator’s entrapment and take precautions.
Procedures for responding to a stalled elevator
A stalled elevator is a potentially dangerous situation. First, the rescue team should try to open the hoistway door on the top of the elevator car. They can use the emergency door key or hoistway unlocking device to open the doors. Once the doors are unlocked, they should descend into the stalled elevator car, wearing safety belts and tying off to a secured lifeline.
Next, they should signal to the occupants to press the floor button. This directive should be given before shutting down, locking, or tagging the elevator. The occupants should remain calm and follow the building management’s instructions. They should then move to a landing level where they can wait for assistance.
Once a rescue team has arrived, they should enter the elevator car and set the emergency stop switch to “STOP.” Next, they should help passengers get out of the stalled elevator car. If possible, use a sturdy stepladder to help them exit. When possible, shut off the elevator power at the main power disconnect switch located in the elevator machine room. The rescue team should contact an elevator service mechanic if the incident worsens.
First, members of the elevator service company should locate the elevator machine room. Once there, they should wait for specific orders from the IC before proceeding to the floor where the elevator stalled. They must also keep communicating with the occupants during the entrapment. They should tell them what to do and not open the doors, which can cause further damage.
Once the occupants have been safely evacuated, the elevator service company will unlock the door. Employees may not attempt to rescue trapped passengers if the elevator is not maintained correctly.
Communication with the local fire department
You must activate the elevator’s emergency phone and call the local fire department if trapped in an elevator. If the emergency is more than 30 minutes old, you should contact the police. They will dispatch an elevator technician to your location. Once they arrive, they will activate the emergency phone, contact the local fire department, and place Out of Service signs on each level.
When communicating with local fire department personnel, ensure that the elevator is in phase 2 or higher. This mode allows the firefighters to safely enter the elevator and move occupants to a different floor. The firefighters enter the elevator with the fire department elevator key. The firefighter must hold the elevator button for at least 30 seconds so that they can access the car occupants.
You should also communicate the safety issues that affect employees with disabilities with the first responders. For example, you should have an evacuation policy for all employees. Even if employees have expressed strong opposition, you should still consider implementing a policy to ensure that all staff members feel as safe as possible.
If an elevator is involved in a fire, you should never use it. The best way to burn the flames is to roll away or use a fire blanket. If you have any injuries from the fire, seek medical attention. Only trained personnel should use fire extinguishers.
Precautions to take
When an elevator stops running, staying calm and waiting for help to arrive is crucial. The doors may not open, and you may be trapped in the elevator. While it may be tempting to get out and try to escape, it is best to stay inside the elevator car until a technician can arrive. It is also important not to open the door yourself, which may place you in more danger.
While it’s rare, elevator fires are a severe threat. In most cases, they are caused by trash or other prohibited items. The intense heat and smoke can damage the guide rails, allowing the car to fall. The safety officer should be notified of any such emergency and take appropriate precautions to protect the firefighters from falling cars.
When entering or exiting an elevator, be aware of the number of people in the building. Make sure there are not more than two people on one floor. This can cause the safety sensors to trip. Be sure to read the signs about the elevator’s capacity before using it. If there are too many people, wait for the cars to open.
If an elevator is stuck, stay calm and wait for safety instructions to reach you. The elevator’s ceiling hatch should not be pried open. A team of rescue workers should be waiting at the emergency access door near the stalled elevator car. If the IC finds it impossible to reach the stuck elevator, it may be time to upgrade the situation to a confined space incident.
Identifying the root cause of an elevator entrapment
The first step in an elevator emergency should be to identify the cause. It may be a mechanical problem or a power outage. The mechanical safety brakes of elevators should operate at all times, but they may not always be working, and in such a case, knowing how to handle the situation and who to contact is crucial. Aside from calling 911, you can also call the elevator company for assistance. These experts will have advanced emergency care certifications and can give you pre-arrival medical instructions.
One of the best ways to determine the root cause of an elevator emergency is to look at the maintenance logs. These records may contain crucial information about the condition of the elevator and the maintenance procedures performed before the accident. As soon as you know the cause of the accident, you can move on to other steps to prevent another tragedy.
The next step in the emergency response process is identifying the elevator’s occupants. Once you have established their condition, you can begin the rescue process. First, shut off the power and wait 30 seconds before turning the elevator back on. Then, open the hoistway door using the elevator key or a tool and try to locate the car. When the car is occupied, the doors should be open to enable emergency personnel to reach the occupants.
Keeping in contact with stranded individuals
Keeping in contact with stranded people during an elevator emergency is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of trapped passengers. It is critical to inform stranded individuals of the situation as soon as possible and provide as much information as possible. This information can help emergency responders provide pre-arrival medical instructions or ensure the safety of trapped individuals. Moreover, it is essential to remain courteous and honest with stranded individuals.
After confirming that no one is trapped, stranded individuals need to be reassured that the situation is under control. This means staying in contact with them until help arrives. The maintenance staff must also be informed of any noteworthy events. If the elevator is not functioning correctly, call 911 or report it to the elevator service provider immediately.
If a stranded individual is not immediately visible outside the elevator, they may shout to alert other people. However, be careful not to yell as it will likely cause panic among passengers.
While stranded individuals are trying to evacuate an elevator, they should avoid pushing against an elevator door. This could result in serious injury. It is also safer to stay in an office or stairwell than to attempt to use an elevator. If you suffer from an injury from being trapped in an elevator, make sure to contact an injury attorney because you may be compensated for an injury.
