We take elevator safety very seriously here at Mowrey Elevator. We also know how important it is to remain safe even in the event of a fire in your building. That’s why every year, we train firefighters and other first responders on elevator safety evacuation measures they can take to ensure occupants can get out in a timely manner in case of fire.
We help train all first responders on how to safely evacuate people from the elevator in emergency situations. The photographs below are from one such training session at our South Office. We have also done these here in Marianna with our local fire department. We have three different types of elevators in our Training Building that we educate first responders on.
Mowrey Elevator recently provided our annual training to firefighters, which gives firefighters the knowledge to safely secure the elevator and the proper techniques to safely remove passengers from a stuck elevator.
Fire Safety Tips
Heed these general fire safety tips in buildings with elevators.
- Always take the stairs in the event of a fire, not the elevators.
- Activate your elevators’ fire service modes if you are the building owner and detect a fire, which will direct the elevator cab to return to the ground floor, or any other alternate floor if the ground floor is the compromised one.
- Inspect all elevators and interior sprinkler systems regularly if you are a building owner.
- Don’t smoke while using an elevator.
- If you get stuck in an elevator, stay calm, press the emergency button or use your phone to call for help. Do not attempt to pry the doors open or use the escape hatch on the ceiling. Wait for firefighters to arrive on the scene.
- If you hear the fire alarm go off, proceed in an orderly manner via the stairs. Bring all personal belongings with you, such as purses, wallets, IDs, and keys. Proceed to an agreed-upon safe area outside well away from the building. Do not go back inside the building.
How Firefighters Should Respond
There are certain things that firefighters are taught when it comes to entering a burning building with elevators.
Firefighters should:
- Test the elevator by stopping every three to five floors while on the way up to ensure the cab continues to function correctly. This also allows firefighters to check the floor and elevator shaft for smoke or fire.
- Exit two floors below the burning floor; do not take the elevator directly to the floor in question so you are able to view the floor layout, gain unrestricted movement to the stairwell, and provide a connection to the standpipe system.
- Recall elevator cars to the main floor by inserting an elevator key.
It’s important to note that training is critical for firefighters, as a fire event should never be the first opportunity for engaging with a fire in a building with elevators. Proper knowledge of fire safety is important for all levels of a fire department.
To learn more about the fire safety training we conduct for firefighters and other first responders, contact us today.