3 Times You Shouldn’t Use a Lift

Lifts, whether residential or commercial, have multiple safety features to ensure you won’t be injured. However, there are still some times when you should avoid getting in a lift, for your safety. These include the following:

1. During a Fire

If there is a fire in your building, you should use the stairs, rather than the lift. This is because heat can destroy the electrical supply to the lift and cause it to malfunction. You do not want to be trapped inside the elevator shaft, which can funnel extreme heat and smoke up through the elevator shaft, Putting you significantly at risk. In many places, a lift safety feature will cause the lifts to stop immediately at a safe level and then stop functioning to prevent further use. This occurs only when the fire alarm goes off.

2. When the Lift is Crowded

You should avoid pushing a lift to its weight capacity, so if there are already a number of people in the lift, it’s best to wait for the next one. Not only is this safer during the pandemic we are currently facing, but it also helps prevent issues caused by the lift carrying too much weight. Remember that the lift is designed with fail-safes to help prevent it from falling, but there may be other issues if it is loaded down too often. This can result in snapped cables and more wear and tear on the elevator.

3. There’s a Power Outage

Most lifts won’t work in a power outage, but if you have a generator, you may be tempted to continue using it. Since a generator has limited power, be aware that it may not be a good idea to get into the elevator, particularly if there are several storeys to travel. The backup power could run out and leave you stranded.

In larger places such as a hospital, it should be safe, but often the lifts are reserved for emergency use in these areas. This is when a patient must be moved or medical equipment needs to be transferred rapidly between departments. Lifts do have safeguards in place, but this doesn’t mean they’re for use all the time. These three occasions are times when you should plan to take the stairs instead or wait for another elevator, depending on the situation. The staircases in most commercial buildings are fireproof and designed as a haven as you make your way to the ground floor.

Are you interested in installing a lift in your building? Contact ADL Lift Services for more information.