Elevator Safety

Did you know that October is National Elevator Safety month? We may take for granted what goes into elevator inspection and elevator maintenance, but proper care can keep passengers safe. There are many safety measures that must be implemented in each and every elevator. These measures include: safety brakes, door systems, interlock switches, buffers, alarm switches and fire emergency.

Elevator maintenance has come a long way to provide each and every elevator with safety measures to protect the passenger and the building. There are two basic types of elevator systems which include traction and hydraulic elevators. Each differ in the way they operate, as do some of the safety measures, however, safety is safety and the guidelines must be met.

The NAESA (National Association of Elevator Safety Authority) has taken measures to assure each and every elevator inspector upholds the elevator code of ethics while the EESF’s (Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation) mission is to educate the public on elevator safety.

One aspect of note to the elevator inspector is the safety brake, along with the speed-sensing governor, commonly found in traction elevators. Much like an emergency brake in a car, it slows down the elevator car if it plummets. The door system has also improved over the years, with the addition of an invisible light ray sensor that reverses the door without making contact with a human or object. The interlock switch assists in the movement of the elevator only when the doors have come to a complete close, while door restraint system restricts the opening of the doors unless it is at a floor level. Emergency alarms, telephones, lighting and power are equipped in most elevator cars to assist in a possible power outage or unexpected stop. And, there is a fire emergency system that can respond to smoke or can be set off manually in case of a fire.

While elevator safety has come a long way, it is important to not only build safe, new means of transport but to continually improve upon existing elevators. Elevator inspectors can check the safety by evaluating wait times and elevator speeds on a regular basis. Parts for older models are getting harder to find in elevator maintenance so buildings can upgrade the systems to micro-processor base controls which reduce average wait times by up to 50%.

New technology allows elevator maintenance to succeed whether the mechanics are able to find old parts or completely replace them to ensure a safe and effective ride.