"Hey, elevators go up and they go down, what's the big deal ?"
"The elevators hate me, why can't they figure out where I want to go ?"
"What does this have to do with politics ?"
OK, hopefully I grabbed your attention.
I said, I'd like your attention, please.
Now skip and jump with me across the orange diary fold !
A very recent elevator-related accident in my state of living is why I am bringing this up.
Elevator accident in Columbus, Ohio
Accidents are never funny. I am not passing judgment on the incident nor will I discuss the circumstances.
But I do hope to give you some basic do's and don'ts when you're using an elevator, and why. Stick with me for a couple moments, cuz this is a special week pertaining to elevators.
Let's say that you, Jo Q. Public, walk into a typical building lobby in North America, with the basic intent of getting to your grand destination somewheres above in a reasonable time.
You push the up or down button for the elevator to serve your transportation needs.
And you wait.
"Hmmm. How long should I wait for this ? Is my hair poofy ? Is that blonde looking at me ? Has Bill posted Cheers and Jeers yet ?" One of 2 things happens - the elevator shows up, you get in, push the call button for your floor, and arrive at your work or your apartment or whatever. Or, by chance, the elevator DOESN'T show up, well, not in the time that you'd expect.
So what to do ?
DO NOT enter an open elevator with the interior lights off. Sometimes elevators are left in this manner when they are intentionally left out of service.
Also, look for temporary signs or barricades that may indicate a problem, and avoid those elevators.
DO wait for the elevator a little longer. An arriving elevator will illuminate an up or down lantern in the direction it is traveling, and you should hear a chime or gong - 1 for UP, 2 chimes for DOWN. If still no elevator arrives, and there are no other indications, report the problem to the front desk, building management, landlord, etc., as they may be unaware, or it could be a reoccuring problem. Then consider taking the stairs or alternate set of elevators, escalators, etc. where feasible. It could mean a little bit of exercise, and that can be good.
DO NOT push the other call button, unless someone else wants to go the opposite direction, of course, and assuming your proper direction button is already illuminated. Unless you like spending time in an elevator, staring at the walls, the ceiling, the wonderful carpeting and listening to lovely music, etc., then pushing the other directional button (opposite of where only you actually want to go) WILL degrade the elevator service for that group of elevators just so you don't have to wait any longer. The elevator that arrives wants to go in the direction you told it, right or wrong.
DO NOT push the same button a bunch of times. Do not punch or pound on the button(s). It does not make the elevator go faster. It may make you feel better, or it may hurt your knuckles, but you are more likely to damage the device and then people will be pi$$ed.
DO NOT stand near the doors and do not push on the doors, etc. Period.
Now as you enter one of those "fine people movers of grandeure", keep 1 thing in mind - DO NOT stand in the doorway.
Get in or get out, whistle while you walk, talk amongst yourselves, whatever. But PLEASE REFRAIN from sticking your briefcase, foot, hand, cane, umbrella, or significant other etc. in the doorway, when the doors are closing, to try and squeeze in at the last second. There are detection devices, in most cases, in the doorway that are there to try and recognize an obstruction. But they need a reasonable amount of time to react. If the doors do not behave in a proper manner (i.e. slamming, closing too quick, etc.) REPORT IT. Be courteous but insistent. You could be helping a fellow Kossack.
Also, take a quick look at the floor level. Is it flush (this is called level or leveling), or could I trip and spill my beans ? Elevators that have alot of people exiting and entering (weight or load differential) in a short period of time have to react quickly. Step over the threshold when it's level. The taller the building, the more susceptible the elevators are to this scenario called releveling. If the elevator does not stay level at the floor or does not become level again rather quickly (within a couple seconds), REPORT IT. A gap of a few inches out of level (staggering effect of sorts) is the maximum you should ever see; if by chance it gets worse at any time, REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY.
In the same light, if you have a small pet like Fluffy the dog, it's probably a good idea to pick up Fluffy before getting in and out the elevator. The leash (Fluffy is on a leash, correct ?) could trip other people, and the door protection devices can have a difficult time detecting smaller objects.
Ok so you want to get in the elevator, but the guy or gal standing in the hallway or in the elevator kinda looks suspicious. You're getting some bad vibes. What do you do ?
DO pay attention to your surroundings at all times. It may mean you have to end your cell phone conversation (reception in an elevator tends to be crappy anyway). Turn down your IPod. Face relatively towards the people who are sharing the ride. If you suspect any problems, PASS on the ride. Report it if necessary. Take the stairs * . Take the next elevator (you'll have to push the button again, sorry).
I am already in the elevator, but my situation seems a bit uncomfortable, what shall I do now ?
Always keep track of the floor you are currently at - this is shown by a "Position Indicator". If you suspect a problem, there are devices inside the elevator that can alert the proper people to help you. Or exit safely at the next available floor and call another elevator, especially if the elevator becomes inoperative at a floor with the doors open and won't respond (a common fault reaction).
If you get stuck, DO NOT and I'm gonna get ugly here for a second DO NOT try to force the doors open, or crawl out, or try to go for the "escape hatch," don't make me tell you what can happen. You at this time must use the forementioned help devices first and foremost; people are waiting for your call and want to help. If that fails, use your "outside voice" repeatedly, and as a last resort a non-damaging pounding instrument if necessary to get the attention of people outside. Do not try to climb the walls, you will probably fail. Wait for the properly trained personnel to come and get you out, no matter what. Remain calm. Sing a happy tune. Do not kick things, it hurts. Don't dial your lawyer just yet, these things happen sometimes, call the proper authorities instead if you get no other response. Questions ? Refer to ugliness above. Trained personnel will instruct you on what to do next.
All I ever wanted to do was enjoy elevator music on a pleasant ascent !
Not to worry, my pretties. Your good ride is back and all is going very smooth as it usually does, Whew ! But right before your typically pleasant elevator experience, you got into an argument with a wingnut, and are feeling rather ornery now. So, oh bored and tenacious one, you decide to push a whole bunch of call buttons while inside the elevator, just for $hits and giggles ? Well, wasn't that fun (please don't do this) ? Chances are when the elevator answers the first couple calls, it's gonna cancel the rest of those buttons you pushed because it knows you didn't get out. And it slows down elevator service. Then you get to decide how mad you are today.
DO NOT punch the buttons. If the button is illuminated, it usually means your call is still registered and you're gonna get there shortly. Again, there is no "go faster" feature that can be activated by you pushing the button repeatedly. And the elevator system is most likely not even going to even see you push that button until the light is extinguished.
DO push the button again if the lighted button for your destination floor goes out. It could mean the elevator had a minor problem; it is a common fault reaction and is typically not a cause for concern. If the problem persists, report it. It helps the elevator repair man if you can report the location of the elevator when this happened and where you were trying to go.
DO NOT overcrowd, jump up and down, bang your cart against the doors, kick things, etc. at any time. This makes me mad, and it may get you stuck. Or worse. And I do want you to have to listen to elevator music any longer than necessary.
DO tell your children, including bored college students, NOT to play in, around, beside, below, or above elevators. It's kind of like letting your kids play near a busy street, and is highly UN-recommended. And it wastes energy.
DO NOT lean against the elevator doors, whether you are inside the elevator or outside. Stay clear of them until it is time to enter or exit.
Ok, so all went great ! You're at your destination, and going to your desk and gonna have a schwell day today !
You've been teased long enough ! What the "H-E-double toothpicks" does this have to do with me, a fellow Kossack and concerned citizen ?
Please be courteous to others when exiting and entering the elevator. If someone else is trying to get in the elevator, be nice and push the Door Open button for them. We Kossacks set examples in the community.
Please don't push the Door Close button (when available) as it may not actually do anything; it kinda depends on who manufactured the elevator controls and when. You may get a private elevator for your 15 seconds of fame. Or you may get a dirty look from me because I know what you're doing.
In summary, do unto your fellow elevator rider as you want them to do unto you. (Stop snickering, you know what I mean !) You could be helping a fellow Kossack - we look out for each other, are responsible and knowledgeable, right ? Or you could be helping a person who needs it. Or a blind person. Or your Mom. Or my Mom (Mom, straighten 'em out if they don't listen to me) !
Elevators are powerful, complicated mechanical and electrical systems that must be respected by everyone, regardless of political influences. But they only do what they are told to do or what they can sense. And if you see or know someone that is trying to do something with an elevator that they are not qualified or are abusive towards it REPORT IT REPORT IT REPORT IT. And tell 'em to stop it, if you can. Be somewhat billigerent if you have to.
P.S. Please visit the professionals at Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation
Disclaimer: These are Schwede's opinions and only his opinions but are based on some common elevator industry knowledge. This is not a legal document, I speak for no organizations, these are general suggestions by me only. E Pluribus Unum. So there.
* = your building may have limited inter-floor travel in stairways. Check with your boss, the front desk, or your Facilities Manager to find out what floors are open in case you have to use the stairs.