If your business has an elevator, you may ask yourself from time to time: Is it dangerous to get stuck in an elevator? What would happen if patrons became stuck in the elevator on my premises? Could they become injured, and would my business be liable?
The answers depend on a range of factors. Partnering with a reputable elevator monitoring service can reduce the risks of patrons becoming stuck in an elevator and facing negative consequences.
Potential Dangers of Becoming Stuck in an Elevator
In most cases, becoming stuck in an elevator isn’t particularly dangerous. An elevator monitoring service quickly responds to the situation so patrons can exit the elevator quickly and safely.
In rare cases, becoming stuck in an elevator for an extended period can lead to consequences such as:
- Panic: The biggest concern related to elevator mechanical failure is the panic it invokes in patrons. While being stuck in an elevator usually isn’t dangerous, many people believe it is. Panic management is key to staying safe in an elevator incident.
- Injury: Patrons may become injured if they try to force the doors open. Injuries can also occur when exiting the elevator, as it may begin moving suddenly. In rare cases, an elevator can drop several stories suddenly during a malfunction, leading to injuries.
- Lack of a bathroom: When patrons are stuck in an elevator for several hours, the lack of a bathroom may become an issue.
Many believe air circulation would become a problem in a stuck elevator. In reality, patrons would never run out of air in an elevator, as it is designed with ventilation systems and is not airtight. Still, the air may become stuffy after several hours.
How an Elevator Monitoring Service Can Help
Is it dangerous to get stuck in an elevator? Usually, no, but some dangers may be present in rare cases.
A reliable elevator monitoring service can help mitigate the dangers of elevator usage in your business. Patrons will have access to an emergency phone that they can use to speak with a live representative during a power outage or other elevator emergency. The representative can help them troubleshoot the malfunction and quickly restore the elevator to working order.
If no initial troubleshooting tips help, the representative can contact emergency services to rescue the stuck patrons. Simply being on the line with a real person can help patrons feel calmer while waiting for help to arrive. The representative can also walk patrons through a rescue protocol to help them avoid injuries.
Contact ELEVATE Monitoring Today for a Quote
While the answer to “Is it dangerous to get stuck in an elevator?” is “Sometimes,” having a trustworthy elevator monitoring service at the ready can help. At ELEVATE Monitoring, we are your business’s go-to source for elevator monitoring equipment and real-time monitoring.
Wondering who answers elevator emergency phone calls? Looking to upgrade your business’s monitoring service? Contact ELEVATE Monitoring today to learn more about our services or request a quote.