Elevator Types: Passenger Elevators and elevator accidents

Passenger elevators are perhaps the most common elevators. Like all elevators, they must meet certain specifications and regulations to minimize the risk of elevator accidents. They must also be inspected often to ensure safety. Failure to inspect an elevator could be a contributing factor to negligence that may entitle you to a large cash settlement if you've been in an elevator accident. Fill out this simple form for your free case evaluation with our experienced elevator accident lawyers.

A passenger elevator is designed to carry people and small packages. Passenger elevators are required to conform to the American Society of Mechanical Engineer's Standard A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators in most US and Canadian Jurisdictions (In Canada the document is the CAN/CSA B44 Safety Standard which was harmonized with the US verison in the 2000 editon.) In additon passenger elevators may be required to conform to the requirements of A17.3 for existing elevators where referenced by the Local Jurisdiction. Passenger elevators are tested usig the ASME A17.2 Standard, the frequency of which is mandated by the Local Jurisdiction, which may be a town, city, or state standard.

Passenger elevators must also conform to many ancilliary building codes including the Local or State building code, National Fire Protection Association standards for Electrical, Fire Sprinklers and Fire Alarms, Plumbing codes, and HVAC codes. In addition passenger elevators are required to conform to the American's with Disablilities Act and other State and Federal civil rights legislation regarding accessiblity.

Passenger elevators capacity is related to the available foor space. Generally passenger elevators are available in typical capacities from 1,500 to 5,000 lb (680 to 2,300 kg) in 500 lb (230 kg) increments. Generally passenger elevators in buildings 4 stories or less are hydraulic, however concerns with hydraulic elevators in recent years have limited their installations. In buildings up to 10 stories electric elevators are likely to have speeds up to 300 ft/min (1.5 m/s), and above 10 stories speeds begin at 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s) up to about 1200 ft/min (6 m/s).

Passenger elevators may be specialized for the service they perform, including: Hospital emergency (Code blue), front and rear entrances, double decker (2 cars on top of one another), and other uses. Cars may be ornate in their interior appearance, may have audio visual adverstising, and may be provided with specialized recorded voice instructions. The concern for entrapping passengers requrires all elevators to have communication connection to an outside 24 hour emergency service, automatic recall capablility in a fire emergency, and special access for fire department use in a fire. Elevators are not an acceptable means of escape during a fire and should not be used by the Public. Signs are required in most all US Jurisdictions to "USE STAIRS IN CASE OF FIRE."

Residential elevators, are required to conform to ASME A17.1 and may be small enough for one person while some are large enough for more than a dozen.

Wheelchair, or Platform lifts, a specialized type of elevator designed to move a wheelchair 6 ft (2 m) or less, often can accommodate just one person in a wheelchair at a time with a maximum load of 750 lb (340 kg). Platform and Wheelchair lifts are required to comply with ASME A18.1 in most US Jurisdictions.

If you've been injured in an Elevator Accident, please fill out our simple Elevator Accident Form. A Client Relations Representative will contact you shortly to discuss your potential case. Feel free as well to call us at (800) 476-6070 or email us at clientrelations@weitzlux.com.

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