This document provides information and guidelines for responding to elevator entrapment incidents. It outlines that elevators are generally very safe but can occasionally experience failures due to being mechanical devices. In the event of an entrapment, security officers should remain calm, contact elevator maintenance for assistance within 15 minutes and call the fire department if they cannot arrive within 30 minutes. Officers should get passenger information, check on any medical needs, keep passengers updated, and keep them calm until maintenance or emergency responders arrive to assist.

1. ELEVATOR ENTRAPMENT
INFORMATIONAL
TRAINING
* CALM * REASSURE * COMMUNICATE *
Eric D Levels
Director of Security
May 28, 2016

2. Safe Transportation
Elevators are the safest form of transportation. Each day in the U.S.
this equipment moves the equivalent of double the entire U.S
population – over 210 billion passengers each year. Very few
accidents happen and most of these can be avoided.
Moving this many people on an electrical mechanical machine that
frequently, cannot be done without an occasional mishap.

3. Elevator safety is an area that many people take for granted and never think about. Yet, people
are injured and killed each year while using elevators. Recently, a man was tragically killed
in an elevator accident in an apartment building in Washington, D.C. He was entrapped in
the elevator and tried to climb out. While the man was climbing out of the elevator, it
started moving and crushed him.
This accident would have been prevented if proper elevator
entrapment procedures were followed.
Elevator entrapment is a very uncommon occurrence, but due to the fact that it
is a mechanical device, failure is possible. Therefore, being prepared to deal
with this type of emergency is necessary.
Elevator Safety

4. Elevator Myths & Fears
TRUTH: This will not happen. An overloaded elevator
will usually not move. The doors will stay open and a
buzzer will ring until enough people get off the elevator
to reduce the weight.
TRUTH: Absolutely not! Leaving the care on your own could
result in injury. Elevator cars are designed as “safe room”.
The safest place is inside the car. Ring the alarm and wait for
help. Leave the car only with the assistance of professional
rescuers.
MYTH: Many people believe elevators are held up by
only one rope that can break, leaving passengers trapped
in a falling car.
TRUTH: Elevators are supported by multiple steel cables.
Each cable alone can support a fully loaded car. The only
elevator fall due to a complete cable system failure was
when the cables were severed by an airplane crashing into
the Empire State Building in the 1940’s.
MYTH: Some people believe that an overcrowded
elevator will fall.
MYTH: Some people believe that if an elevator is stuck
between floors that they are in danger of falling and
should try to get out.

5. Elevator Emergency Actions
Purpose:
The following Emergency information outlines the responsibilities and actions to be taken
when persons are trapped in an elevator or when a condition exists with an elevator which
could lead to personal injury. Whenever possible, it is recommended that any evacuation of
passengers from elevator cars be performed under the direct supervision of elevator
maintenance personnel, as they have the necessary resources and expertise to deal with the
various complex hazards which may arise.
Elevator Entrapment Procedures:
Please be advised of the Elevator Entrapment Procedures, which should be implemented
immediately. Please use the attached check list to guide you thru the process.

6. WHAT TO DO …
What to do - Elevator Doors will not open:
Steps of Action:
1. Thyssen Krupp service center called to establish an ETA on service tech
arrival.
2. Call DOS to inform Chief Engineer and PM/APM.
3. Ask for the occupant’s names and suites they work in or are visiting.
4. Ask if any of the entrapped require special attention or have any medical
issues requiring immediate attention.
5. Note the car letter or number and location of where the elevator is stuck.
6. Keep in constant communication with the entrapped occupants to update
them on status of technician or Fire Department.

7. If Thysseen is to take longer than 15 minutes to arrive from the initial contact
the
fire department is to be called.
The intent is to establish a baseline response time to remove entrapped
occupants.
This time frame should not exceed 30 minutes from the time the entrapment is
discovered.
REMAIN CALM!
If you are not calm then the passengers will sense this and think that
the situation is worse that it may be.
COMMUNICATE & REASSURE
WHAT TO DO continued…

8. Communicating with Passengers
Once Thysseen has been notified, communicating with the occupants is the next
important step. The officer should determine the following:
1.Name of Person(s).
2.Is there any Medical or Special assistance which requires immediate attention?
3.For which suite do they work for / what suite are they visiting.
4.Note the car letter/number and location of where the elevator is stuck.
5.Is the person cooperating, does the person sound anxious ?
6.How long did Thysseen operator say it will take to get assistance?
7.Remain in contact with the trapped passengers and inform them of the steps.
Keep in constant contact with the passengers; reassure them
that help will be arriving shortly.

9. Officer Receiving Information
* STAY CALM *
* INFORM YOUR SUPERVISOR/MANAGER OF ENTRAPMENT *
Most elevator entrapments are not considered life-threatening emergencies,
therefore the City of Miami Fire Department
is to be dispatched if any of the following emergency situations occur.
* The person becomes panicked; has a medical condition or is in imminent danger.
* There is a concurrent building emergency that put the occupants in further danger.
* The entrapment for any reason becomes a life-threatening event
* The response for Thyssen is expected to be more than 30 minutes
* Loss of contact with persons in elevator for any reason

10. *Remain in constant contact with trapped passenger(s)
*Record complete information of all actions taken in Recap Report
*Keep passengers calm and reassure them that help is on the way.
SECURITY OFFICER ACTION

11. Questions