If you are considering a home elevator, it is important that you know how to respond to all circumstances. While it is not a common occurrence, a home power outage creates a situation where a specific course of action is required. If you are in the home and the power goes out, you should not attempt to use the elevator. If you are already on the elevator and the power goes out, there are a few steps you should take.
The 4 steps you should take if you are in a home elevator and the power goes out
- Stay calm: Remember power outages happen. Many elevators are equipped with a battery back-up system. The battery back-up system, will typically allow the elevator to travel to a designated floor, or may be able to descend to a floor selected by the occupant. Battery back-up systems usually will power car door operators as well.
- Call for help: Elevators in the U.S. are required to have a telephone. The telephone is usually found behind a door or as a push button autodial phone located in the car’s operating panel. If the phone has a dial pad, you will normally see an emergency phone number near the phone or elevator inspection documents.
- Sound alarm: Elevators are also required to have an alarm that can be activated from inside the car and are audible outside the hoistway. This alarm is intended to alert others in the vicinity that someone in the elevator needs help.
- Be patient: Once you have made contact and know that help is on the way, just wait. Never attempt to get out of the elevator by yourself. If the car is not at a landing, a void may be present that is a potential fall hazard. Without the aid of someone outside the car, this is a dangerous situation.
For More Information
If you have any additional questions on how to utilize the communication systems in your home elevator, or want to further educate yourself on the operation of your elevator, contact your local home elevator company. These individuals can assist you to ensure your elevator is properly maintained and you are fully educated on how to respond in the event of a power outage.