Dr. Akbar

In today's world, elevator systems incorporate a wide variety of designed features to help reduce the chances of accidents.

The various safety feature are:

1. Safety Brakes together with speed-sensing acts to stop an elevator if it should
   Overspeed in the downward direction.
2. The modern lift includes sensors to detect passengers or objects in the door
   opening, which prevents the door closing.
3. More modern systems use a large number of invisible light rays to detect people or
   objects in the doorway and reverse or stop the doors without having to make physical
   contact.
4. Interlocks on the hoistway doors help assure that the elevator cannot leave a landing
   unless the doors are fully closed and secured. Should the doors be forced open, the
   interlock circuit will be broken, causing the elevator to stop immediately.
5. Various switches in the elevator shaft detect the presence of the car at certain stages
   of its journey. They initiate slowdowns and stops at the proper points, and help prevent over-travel in the up or down direction.

An elevator cab comprises of several items to help increase safety. An emergency alarm switch will sound an alarm when activated by a passenger. In most elevators, an emergency telephone or intercom can serve as a link to assist if the car should stall. And, in the event of a power failure, emergency lighting maintains illumination for hours. In some systems, emergency power is available to permit movement of the elevator and evacuation of the passengers.

In many elevator systems, a unique fire emergency system is installed that can be manually activated or may respond to smoke sensors in the building.

Never overload the elevator beyond the stated capacity

Today's lifts are designed to stop nearly even with the building floor. However, a misoperation could cause any lift to mislabel.

Enter and exit carefully

Don't just walk in or out of an elevator without looking. Check to be sure the floor surfaces are even before crossing the doorway. Paying attention will prevent passengers from tripping. Observe the entrance floor. Step up or down if the elevator floor and hall floor are not level with each other. Step over the gap.

Before entering, stand aside and allow exiting passengers to get off

The stop button switch should only be used when it is absolutely necessary to stop the elevator.

Do not attempt to stop the running elevator from the lobby by forcibly open the car door or hall door. You may lose your hands while doing so.

If the doors do not open when the elevator stops, ring the alarm and wait. Never force the doors open or try to exit.

In case of fire, never use the elevator, use the stairs

Modern elevators are programmed to return to the nearest floor when power fails automatically. They will shut down, so they won't respond to calls. You may waste precious time for an elevator that does not come. Always use the stairs.

The "Emergency Brake Release Device" which is available in the machine room enables the elevator to be brought to the nearest floor. This must be used only by authorized person.

Children under twelve years of age should not use the elevator unless accompanied by an adult. Only press the "Up" or "Down" button once; repeated button pushing won't bring an elevator faster. And never press both buttons - you'll just slow down service for yourself and others. If you need to keep the doors open more extended than the programmed time, press and hold the "Door Open" button.

Don't Touch the Doors. Also, using your hand, foot or objects like umbrellas or briefcases to stop the doors may cause injury to you and damage to the equipment.

Remember, some older elevators may not have doors which retract automatically. Don't allow children to push buttons for the fun of it as it slows service for everyone.

Smoking in elevators annoys other passengers and is usually illegal. So one should extinguish smoking materials before entering the elevator.

Don't delay other passengers by holding the door open to talk with a departing passenger.

The rules for riding elevators and escalators are about the same for kids as they are for adults. It's just that parents should make the children follow these rules to avoid accidents.

Following these simple guidelines will make the ride more pleasant and safe for children on escalators-

• When riding with a small child, hold his or her hand, or carry the child in one arm while holding the handrail with the other.
• Help children step onto and off of the escalator.
• Do not allow children to sit on escalator steps -- clothing or fingers can get caught.
• Never let children ride on or play with the handrail.
• Don't allow children to use an escalator unattended.
• Don't allow children to walk or run up the "down" escalator or down the "up"
  escalator.
• Don't let children drag their feet along an escalator's sides.
• Never take a stroller on an escalator. Use the elevator instead.

As in case of elevators, children should be especially careful around the doors. They should never put their hands or feet into the area between the moving door and the adjacent door jamb. And, because some elevator doors require contact with a door edge before they will stop or reverse, it's always a good idea to remind children never to try to stop a closing door by putting their hand or foot in its path.

Children below 12 should accompanied by elders in elevators.