If you own a building with elevators, you want to do everything possible to prevent an elevator emergency. A secure elevator system will help keep your tenants, clients, workers, or visitors safe.
What if you follow all elevator maintenance recommendations to a T, but an emergency still occurs? You must confirm that your elevator monitoring system is ready to handle emergency calls, or you risk a major liability lawsuit and serious harm to your reputation. Learn how to ensure you follow the ASME elevator code.
Preventing Elevator Emergencies
The following simple steps will help you reduce the risk of elevator emergencies:
- Keep elevator equipment clean. Dirt or dust accumulation and water leaks can harm elevator machinery. A buildup of dust can also trigger an allergic reaction if a dust-sensitive person gets stuck in the elevator car.
- Invest in elevator maintenance. Schedule an elevator inspection at least once a year and follow your elevator technician’s recommendations regarding maintenance and repair.
- Note and address any mis-leveling. Even slight mis-leveling indicates worn-out brakes and can become a serious problem unless you resolve it quickly.
Always provide clear, brief elevator safety guidelines in your building’s lobby. Warn elevator users against dangerous behaviors like rushing into an elevator while the doors are closing or trying to force their way out of a stuck elevator. Stress that elevator use during a fire emergency is strictly forbidden.
Ensure Your Emergency Call System Is Code Compliant
As a property owner, you have a duty to keep all elevators in your building safe and functional. This includes installing a secure and reliable monitoring system to ensure a swift response in an elevator emergency. Ensuring your elevator monitoring is up to code improves user safety and reduces the risk of liability lawsuits.
If you’re adding new elevators to your building, the emergency monitoring system will likely need to include two-way video and text communication per the updated IBC and ASME guidelines. This type of communication system helps the monitoring staff provide a faster, more accurate response in an emergency.
Test Your Elevator Emergency Phones
You may rely on your monitoring system to handle emergencies, but if your elevator phones fail code, you risk a tarnished reputation, heavy fines, and costly liability claims. Our team at Elevate Monitoring can test your existing emergency call system for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and ASME compliance.
You can also start by testing your elevators with a helper. One simple but effective test is riding two elevators in the building and using the emergency call buttons simultaneously. If only one call goes through, or if the emergency operator can’t determine your location and elevator number without you telling them, your elevator phones aren’t ADA compliant.
Handle Emergencies Properly and Reduce Liability With Elevate Monitoring
Is your building prepared for an elevator emergency? Elevate Monitoring can help ensure your emergency elevator phones comply with the current code. Call 877-990-9191 or contact us online to consult our elevator monitoring experts.
