Home elevators have become more common and affordable now and many people are installing them in their new or existing homes. Even though different people have different reasons for installing these devices, the fact remains that they provide enhanced mobility and convenience to people. Ideal options for elder adults or people with limited mobility, these devices improve floor-to-floor accessibility of your residence and increase the value of your home. Safety is one of the predominant factors to consider when purchasing or installing a home elevator. There are many myths and misconceptions about elevators because most people are not familiar with the ins and outs of how this accessibility device works.
Here are some common myths or misconceptions that people have when installing home elevators
- Myth 1 – If an elevator is stuck between floors, you are in danger of falling and should try to get out.
Never ever attempt to leave an elevator car on your own, as you could get seriously hurt. Elevator cars are designed to be “safe rooms” allowing an individual to remain safe and stable in the event of a disaster or other inconvenient events such as an elevator entrapment. Therefore, any person who gets entrapped should always stay in the car, remain calm, trigger the alarm and use the emergency phone number for help, and wait until someone arrives. Users should leave the car only with the assistance of professional rescue personnel. - Myth 2 – Home Elevators are held up by only one cable/rope, which can break, leaving passengers in a free-falling car.
Generally, home elevators are supported by multiple steel cables. Each cable alone can easily support a fully-loaded car. - Myth 3 – The elevator doors will open even if the elevator car is not there.
Elevators for the home are specifically designed so that the car controls the opening of the lift door. When the car arrives at the landing, the car door engages the hall door and the car door operator then opens both sets of doors. If the car is not at the landing, it cannot trigger the hall doors to open. It is designed in such a way keeping the safety reasons in mind. - Myth 4 – Pushing the call button multiple times or repeatedly will make the elevator car come faster.
Once the call button is pressed, the call gets registered by the elevator controller. Pressing the button repeatedly does nothing. However, pressing the “door close button” once inside the car will trigger the doors to close sooner. - Myth 5 – You are in danger if the power fails.
Elevators are integrated with an emergency lowering feature, which lowers the device to the lowest floor possible in the event of a power failure. Once the device touches down safely, the doors will unlock, allowing persons to exit from the lift. - Myth 6 – Overcrowded elevators will fall.
Normally, an overloaded elevator car will not move. The doors will stay open and a buzzer will ring until enough people get out of the elevator to reduce the weight. - Myth 7 – If home elevators gets stuck or loses power, you may run out of oxygen in the elevator car.
Elevator cars are typically not airtight. A minimum requirement for ventilation openings is provided in order to meet the safety standards. - Myth 8 – If a cable snaps from too much weight, elevators can fall down the shaft.
Typically, elevators are not supported by a single cable, but by around 4-10 of them. Each steel cable can support more weight than a fully-loaded car. This makes all cables breaking extremely doubtful. Instead, an overcrowded lift will not move and the doors will remain open until the extra weight is removed and adjusted. - Myth 9 – Home Elevators can fall freely to the ground.
If the accessibility device moves too quickly, the safety feature – “over speed governor” gets activated. The over-speed governor consists of a flywheel with centrifugal arms that fly outward if the device moves too quickly. If the device exceeds a certain speed limit, the braking system gets activated that grabs onto the rails running up and down the elevator shaft, and slows it down.
Now that you know some major facts about home elevators, make sure that you purchase the same from a reliable and experienced elevator company in New Jersey. Purchase from Day Elevator & Lift and we will ensure the best price as well as timely and efficient maintenance support. Call us today at (800) 758-5438 or fill out our online contact form to get an estimate to install your new residential elevator.