Elevators have a vast array of uses, from the industrial and agricultural industries, to ferrying us where we need to go in apartment buildings, office buildings, or other public institutions. The United States alone has over 700,000 elevators installed in buildings all across the country; in uses from residential lifts to a commercial elevator in a store! In tall buildings, elevators have pretty much become the norm. In some cases, this is for convenience’s sake, and in others, to grant the disabled more access to public and private buildings alike. How much do we really know about the contraptions we ride every day in some cases? What happens if an elevator breaks? What do we do? When did elevators first come into popular use? If you ever do get stuck in an elevator, try not to panic — an elevator safety company is surely on its way to assist!
What are Some Facts About Elevators?
The closest estimate of elevators in the United States is just around 900,000 and each elevator serves around 20,000 people every year. All in all, elevators make 18 billion trips up and down annually and over 10,000 residential elevators get installed per year. You can find most elevators being used for commercial, retail, or residential uses in buildings with four to five floors. United Technologies states that elevators carry about the equivalent of the world’s population every nine days or so!
However, there are five kinds of elevators in general that differ in their use and size. Passenger elevators are what we’re most familiar with in commercial or retail buildings, home elevators are what we see in our apartments, and then freight, LULA, and personnel elevators are the three types of elevators that we don’t see too much of at all in an average day. Passenger elevators can be moved hydraulically (for a maximum height of 50 feet) or traction-driven (for buildings that are over 50 feet). And did you know that elevators are actually twenty times safer than using an escalator? There are twenty times more elevators than escalators, yet only one-third more accidents — a reasonable proportion, all things considered.
What Does an Elevator Safety Company Do?
An elevator safety company makes sure that elevators are up to the right standards for elevator safety and often will conduct inspections regularly. If elevator repair needs to be done, an elevator safety company will often come as well, to make sure that everything is safe after the repair or replacement is complete.
They may also create guides for an elevator company on the best way to install a new elevator or the correct way to replace a broken or missing part. In all aspects, they have your safety in mind, and are doing their part to make sure that everyone knows appropriate elevator protocol and what to do in case of an emergency.
How Can I Make it a Safer Ride For Everyone?
Courtesy counts. Don’t try and push your way into an already full elevator and be sure to stand aside for passengers getting off. Don’t attempt to hold doors for others or put anything between closing doors — although many elevators now are sensitive to that sort of obstruction, there’s also a chance your hand or foot could be crushed. NEVER take the elevator if there’s been a fire — always take the stairs.
Be aware of clothing, pets, and children and stand clear of the door once in the elevator. If the doors don’t open once you reach your destination or the elevator stops between floors, stay calm. Press the ALARM button or use a telephone or intercom to call for help, if those are available. Do not try to force the doors open — wait for help to arrive. You won’t suffocate in an elevator — they’re well-ventilated — so just stay calm and wait for assistance. Panic helps no one.
Elevators are extremely helpful in our day-to-day lives and make getting places a much quicker process than previously. However, it’s important to follow good elevator etiquette when using an elevator and know what to do in case of an emergency.
