Elevators and escalators

Most elevators are now equipped with sophisticated devices to reopen the doors by automatically detecting objects that obstruct closing. However, these devices do not eliminate completely the accident risks.

Indeed, some elevators are equipped with electromechanical devices, which, in the absence of physical contact between the contact bar and a person or an object, do not trigger the reopening of the doors. Such devices are more likely to cause accidents.

It should also be noted that an infrared door reopening device, which might be hampered by smoke or flames, must be rendered inoperative after 20 seconds when you stand in front of the detector. The mechanism will shut the doors again automatically, even if you attempt to prevent them from closing. The kinetic energy of the doors is, however, reduced when they close, to avoid the risk of injury.

Closing speed of cab doors

Since the time it takes for the doors to close is essential to the overall performance of elevators, designers must compromise between efficiency and safety.

To this end, the Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators and Moving Walks prescribes a method of calculating and limiting kinetic energy, i.e. the relationship between the weight of the car doors and the hoistway doors and their speed.

As is true of any mechanical device, the adjustment of the maximum speed can sometimes be deficient, which increases the risk of being struck by the doors and falling.

To avoid the risk of injury and accidents, never use your arm or leg to prevent an elevator’s doors from closing; simply wait for the next car instead!

The next time you take an escalator, please observe these safety guidelines in order to reduce accident risks:

• Hold firmly the handrail. If you loose your foothold, or if the escalator stops suddenly, holding the handrail will restrain you from falling down.
• Keep facing in the direction of the ride, and do not touch the underside of the handrail.
• Do not attempt to take the escalator against the direction of the ride.
• Avoid carrying cumbersome objects which could block your view or could keep you from holding the handrail. Remember that escalators are designed to carry persons.
• In a situation of emergency: use the emergency stop button at either end of the escalator, near the warning signs.

Do remain particularly watchful…

• When young children accompany you. If they are too small to hold the handrail firmly, you must hold their hand. You must also see to it that they remain at a distance from the edge of the step and help them get off carefully at the end of the ride.
• When you wear bifocal glasses.
• If your movements are hampered or slowed down (difficulty in lifting your feet for instance).

Do not use the escalator…

• When you need to move with crutches, with a walker (parapodium), in a wheelchair or with a stroller. These may cause accidents upon getting on or off the escalator. Take the elevator instead!
• If it is not actually operating. This can make you dizzy and you may fall.
• If you are barefoot or wearing tong sandals, flip-flops or Croc-type shoes.
• If you wear ample and long clothes: these may get trapped between steps. Your clothes may get torn up, and moreover you risk falling down the steps and dragging others in your downfall.